ANNETT EARNS 2nd & ADVANCES TO 5th IN POINTS AFTER WILD MOTOR MILE FINISH
Michelle Petroff, TMC Racing

DES MOINES, IA (July 25, 2007) – Short-track racing breeds excitement and often a lot of bumpin’ and bangin’ as drivers push their cars and others’ patience to the limits while competing for a few valuable feet of real estate on tight racetracks. Last weekend’s ASA Late Model Series’ “Radfest/Race Against Drugs 200” lived up to the expectations as fans witnessed action-packed racing throughout the field for 200 laps on the 0.416-mi bullring.

Michael Annett, 21, entered his eighth ASA Late Model Series’ Challenge Division event of the 2007 season with the momentum of back-to-back third place finishes and hoped to position his #12 TMC Transportation Ford Fusion for the team’s first win. Annett and his “Black & Chrome” team unloaded a strong racecar and turned the sixth fastest times on the speed charts during qualifying. Lady Luck spun in the West Des Moines, IA, native’s favor with a #7 for the invert placing the #12 in the second place starting berth.

“Our car was pretty good from the time we unloaded but my crew worked on it during practice to turn better through the center of the corners and it handled great,” commented Annett. “We struggled on new tires and were happy with our qualifying run because we had a great car for the race since our times did not drop off as much as our competitors so my team was confident we had a car that was going to be in contention at the end of the race.”

Annett’s premonition was correct as he had the best seat in the house riding in third place during the closing laps of the race. “I figured there would be quite a battle at the end and knew it was very likely the two cars ahead of me could make contact so I worked to be in position to possibly take advantage of any situation I could. Unfortunately, we were a little too close to the action.”

Indeed, Lady Luck soon disappeared as Annett was a little too close to the action as the first and second place cars got together in the final turn of the last lap, sending the leader into the wall before careening down into the door of Annett’s #12. Upon careful review, ASALMS series officials penalized the competitor who crossed the stripe first giving the win to Peter Cozzolino and the runner-up honors to Annett and his hard-charging #12 TMC Transportation team.

“It was an interesting finish but a great weekend for our team and especially to earn another top-3 going into Bristol. My crew is the best and I couldn’t ask for anything else out of them,” recalled Annett. “Our TMC Racing Team was one of three to host an honorary pit crew member. In spite of the dramatic end, it was cool to have a good finish with Danny as part of our team. He was a pleasure to be around and has worked hard to keep a good head and stay on the right track in the last few years and was a real inspiration to our team. We also gained two positions in the championship points standings and are now in fifth and less than thirty points from second so a tight battle is heating up for the remainder of the season.”

Rich Lushes, the man at the helm of the #12 crew, echoed Annett’s sentiments. “This past weekend was another step forward for this team, we are getting closer to that win with each race. Our communication is growing stronger each week and the crew works great together. Fortunately, we have some of the best in the business who take each challenge as another opportunity to excel.”

Excellence is something at the core essence of everything the TMC Racing Team is about. Their next event will challenge the teamwork, patience and communication of even the experienced veterans since the high-banked bullring of Bristol Motor Speedway is notorious for no-limit racing. Annett and his #12 TMC Racing Team will venture to the 0.533-mi Tennessee track for the ninth stop on the 2007 ASALMS’ Challenge Division tour for “The Benson International 200” on Saturday, August 4, 2007.

“After this weekend, I’m ready for anything so bring on Bristol,” quipped Annett. “I feel that we have the necessary momentum and resources to position ourselves out front. With one of our loyal sponsors, Benson International, taking on the honors at title sponsor for Bristol, I would like nothing more than to seal the deal with a win.”

Full event schedules and additional details on “The Benson International 200” are available online at http://www.asalatemodels.com .


Michael Annett’s #12 Ford Fusion carries sponsorship from TMC Transportation – The Leader in Open Freight Services, Allstate Peterbilt Group, Marmon Highway Technologies, Benson International, Northland Motor Oils & Lubricants and Pilot Travel Centers.