Michael Annett Looks Ahead to the 2007 season After the 24th Annual All-American 400 Weekend in Nashville, Tennessee

By Rising Star Driver Development/M.P.H. Promotions

Des Moines, Iowa (11/09/2006):

Michael Annett and the TMC Racing Team had high hopes entering the 24th annual All-American 400 Weekend at the Music City (TN) Motorplex in Nashville, Tennessee. With 61 cars on hand, Annett and crew knew they had their work cut out for them.

Only the Top 20 in ARP Bodies/Aluminum Racing Products Qualifying would be automatically locked into the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts Portion of the weekend; A 200-lap Feature on Sunday November 5, 2006. Annett missed the cut as the Des Moines, Iowa freshman qualified 26th.

This meant that Annett would have to transfer into the Feature by finishing in the Top Two in one of the two 25-lap GM Performance Parts Shootouts. Annett would start the "Odd" GMPP Shootout on the outside of the front row next to Ryan Carlson and he knew that all he had to do was finish where he started and a Feature berth was assured.

" I really learned a lot about the guys on my team this weekend. We didn't unload very fast but they never quit working all weekend to make the car better," stated Annett as he talked about his first experience in Nashville, Tennessee during one of the biggest end of the season special events in the country.

" I had trouble in qualifying and put myself in a bad position for the rest of the weekend," Annett continued. "I had to race my way in through the shootout race and the car got torn up a little bit, but my guys got everything back together and ready to go for the race on Sunday," he added.
In the GM Performance Parts Shootout, Annett and Trent Snyder got together several times in the first half of the event. Eventually, Annett was turned around and Snyder was forced to the rear of the field. Snyder did make it back up to Annett's back bumper and the two were side-by-side coming down for the checkered for that final transfer spot.

Annett beat out Snyder by mere inches to claim the 31st starting spot in the 200-lap Feature event and he knew he had a long way to go on Sunday afternoon to get to the front. "When you start in the back of these races, there is always more of a chance of getting into trouble," Annett explained.
Trouble soon loomed for Annett at the beginning of the 200-lap Feature. As on lap 38 Matt Hawkins spun and the field checked up behind him, one of the machines checking up was Annett and he had nowhere to go and was in the middle of a big pile up of cars along the backstretch. Annett's ride was too heavily damaged to continue and he was done with a 30th place showing.

" The car was handling great and had really come in for me and I was just cruising along waiting for a hole to start moving forward and a car that had been out of control for a few laps finally lost it coming off turn two and clogged up the back stretch," Annett stated.

" We were done for the day but I was really proud of my guys for the whole weekend, they never gave up the whole time and come race time I had a really good car and that's all I can ask from them," Annett ended.

During the 2006 season in the ASALMS Northern Division, the Hawkeye State driver recorded three Top Five finishes with two of those being runner-up showings. His first podium finish came back on July 14, 2006 at the Motordrome (PA) Speedway during the NAPA Auto Parts 100.

Annett finished eighth overall in the ASALMS Northern Division and fourth in the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title chase despite missing the final points event at the LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway back during Oktoberfest Weekend on October 7, 2006,

The 2006 season marked Annett's first season behind the wheel of a race car! Prior to beginning his racing career this year, Annett was an accomplished Minor League Hockey Player. Annett began his hockey career as six years old and retired at the end of the 2004-2005 season after completing the season with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Annett also ran a select schedule of events at the South Boston (VA) Speedway in a car provided by Barry Beggarly in the tracks NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Models division.
For the 2006 season, Annett will carry sponsorship on the side of his Ford Fusion from; TMC Transportation as well as Benson International, Allstate Peterbilt Group, Rising Star Driver Development, Pilot Travel Centers and Northland Motor Oil and Lubricants.
To learn more about Michael Annett, log onto to his website at www.michaelannett.com.

About RSDD
Rising Star Driver Development™ was formed to create the most highly trained, marketable and successful race car drivers in the USA and around the world. Their innovative program offers amateur and professional drivers the sort of one-stop comprehensive training and marketing resource that is sure to increase their likelihood of winning on the track. The drivers are hand selected and provided dedicated resources to elevate their status among sponsors, fans and teams – ultimately enabling their transition to the highest ranks of professional racing. The founders have over 40 years of experience in motorsports and sports marketing. You can visit the RSDD web site at – www.risingstardd.com

About TMC
The largest privately-held provider of open-freight transportation in the U.S, TMC was founded in 1972 and provides expert transportation service and supply-chain management solutions throughout the 48 contiguous states. TMC is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and is known for its integrity, innovation, superior safety record and unwavering dedication to quality and customer service. TMC’s claim-free, on-time delivery record is the best in the business and is consistently recognized by its customers. You can visit the TMC web site at – www.tmctrans.com

About Benson International
Benson International is a manufacturer of class 6, 7, & 8 specialty trailers and bodies that has served the transportation industry for over 40 years with four locations in Mineral Wells, W.Va.; Cadiz, Ky.; Meyersdale, Pa. and Oneida, Tenn. For more information contact Benson International at 877-489-9020, or visit www.bensonintl.com

About Allstate Peterbilt Group
W.D. Larson Companies LTD., Inc., owner of Allstate Peterbilt Group, was established in 1971 and has grown into the second largest Peterbilt dealership group in North America. With dealership locations in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Ohio, we are committed to providing the very best in sales, leasing, financing, service and parts support to our customers. We provide a wide range of medium and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and accessories to a diverse customer base. You can visit the Allstate Peterbilt web site at - www.allstatepeterbilt.com
About Northland Products Company
Northland Products Company, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, formulates, manufactures, markets and distributes premium quality engine oil, lubricants, engine coolants and associated fluids throughout North America. Since 1908, Northland’s superior products and customer-driven service are provided to trucking fleets, OEM factory-fill, industrial, automotive and agriculture markets.
Northland Technical Laboratories, a division of Northland, provides extensive oil analysis and lubricant performance evaluation services performed in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Norsolv Environmental Services, another division of Northland, offers shop waste management throughout Iowa. Norsolv services include parts washer machines and service, used oil filter collection, and used fluid reclamation.
Northland Products has enjoyed continued customer growth due to a staff of experienced and talented employees, advanced lubricant technology, a customer focused service strategy and premium quality products. Uncompromising quality, professional service, and superior customer support is the foundation of Northland’s success. Northland Products Company is certified to the ISO 9001 and the ISO 14001 standards.
About Pilot Travel Centers
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot operates 271 travel centers across the United States; one travel center in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada; and 39 convenience stores in Tennessee.
For more information about Pilot Travel Centers, visit www.pilottravelcenters.com.

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