DESTINATION EXCELLENCE: ANNETT EARNS POLE AND PODIUM FINISH IN ARCA RE/MAX SERIES DEBUT
Michelle Petroff, TMC Racing

DES MOINES, IA (June 4) – Michael Annett, the twenty year-old driver from West Des Moines, IA, thrilled the hometown crowd for Iowa Speedway’s “Prairie Meadows 250” ARCA RE/MAX Series’ event. Annett circled the Rusty Wallace 0.875-mi speedplant in his No. 32 TMC Transportation/Country Joe Racing Dodge at a blistering 134.208 mph. His qualifying run was strong enough to top the speed charts and earn the SIM Factory Pole Award – a major feat in his first ever ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

“What a way to start off with the ARCA RE/MAX Series,” commented the Hawkeye Native. “The guys at Country Joe Racing and I had a great test together but going in to your first race, especially one at home, it can be tough but they gave me an amazing car. It had a lot of grip so I could stay on the gas through the corners. I knew we had a strong qualifying lap but to win the pole in our first attempt sets the bar high. I also think it’s awesome to do it here at home with all of our sponsors and fans present.

Annett turned a lot of heads with his powerful entrance into the historic series that has helped propel many talented drivers into the upper levels of NASCAR. He also thrilled the hometown crowd as he was the only driver representing Iowa in the thirty-seven car starting field.

Annett remained in the top three early in the race but was caught up in a tangle with a lap car but saved his ride from contact with the wall and was able to pit for tires and return to action.

“That incident with the lap car could have been ugly,” Annett noted. “You always fear things like that when you’re working through traffic but, fortunately, the car responded and I saved it from the wall so we were forced to pit off sequence from the other teams but it actually worked in our favor. We had some rough luck out there but The Country Joe Racing team jumped into action and kept digging and our car was good enough to keep truckin’ to the front even if it was a little battered. I can’t thank the team and our great sponsors – TMC Transportation, Allstate Peterbilt, Marmon Highway Technologies, Benson International, Northland Oil, Pilot Travel Centers and the Barnes Group enough for their dedication and support.”

The proud Iowan provided his team and sponsors a lot to cheer for by packing some heavy hardware in his debut performance – not only the SIM Pole Award; but also, a potent third place finish.


Michael Annett’s Country Joe Racing fielded #32 will carry sponsorship from TMC Transportation – The Leader in Open Freight Services, Allstate Peterbilt Group, Marmon Highway Technologies, Benson International, Northland Motor Oils & Lubricants, Pilot Travel Centers, Barnes Group Inc., Snap On Tool and Bell Helmet. Log on to http://www.michaelannett.com  for the latest news on Michael Annett and TMC Racing.