Michael Annett Iowa II Race Report

Homecoming Race Produces 12th Place Finish for Iowa's Michael Annett

Newton, Iowa (August 7, 2011) - In Iowa Speedway's second Nationwide Series race of the 2011 season, Des Moines native Michael Annett finished 12th in front of a sold-out hometown crowd. Competing on a track designed by his team owner, Rusty Wallace, Annett was the second highest finisher of the four drivers eligible for Nationwide Insurance's $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus.

"Iowa Speedway once again put on a great sell-out show this weekend. I always enjoy racing at my home track. I just wish we could've grabbed that Dash 4 Cash bonus. Iowa Speedway would have been a very special place to do that. We just struggled with a tight handling racecar that we couldn't get where we needed it to be," said Annett.

Michael Annett, Rusty Wallace Racing Toyota

Photo by: Ashley Dickerson, ASP Inc.

The young driver started Saturday night's 250 lap event 22nd. Trying to alleviate the car's handling issues in a series of adjustments between four yellow flag pit stops in the first 150 laps of the U.S. Cellular 250, Annett still suffered with a tight racecar. Caution number five came out on lap 184, and crew chief Rick Viers opted for track position. Viers' decision to stay out while the leaders came to pit road advanced the No. 62 Northland Oil Toyota Camry to the lead for the restart with 60 laps to go.

Annett fought a field with fresh tires for 28 more laps before the sixth and final yellow flag was waved on lap 218. Coming to pit road for one last stop for tires and fuel, Rusty Wallace Racing's No. 62 car restarted 12th on lap 226 of 250, leaving Annett with 24 laps to try to work his way into the top-10 for the finish. Still set back by the handling of his Toyota Camry, Annett settled for 12th at the drop of the checkered flag.

The 25-year-old Iowan is positioned ninth in the Nationwide Series championship point standings with 12 races left in the 2011 season.