Michael Annett

Indianapolis, Ind. (July 26, 2010) – Working hard in the heat and humidity of Indianapolis on a day where temperatures topped 93 degrees, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett and his No. 15 Germain.com/Pilot Travel Centers team set out to make a top notch performance in O’Reilly Raceway Park’s Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children. Coming off of a three race string of top-15 performances, the team hoped to prove their skill at O’Reilly Raceway Park with a top-10 finish. 

Eight fastest and 18th fastest in Saturday’s practice sessions, the No. 15 Germain.com/Pilot Travel Centers team prepared a strong car for the evening’s 200 lap race. With a respectable finish on the horizon, Annett started the event 27th and advanced 15 positions to 13th in the first 30 laps. Annett proved his talent behind the wheel making all his passes towards the front under green flag conditions and running lap times comparable to cars in the top-10 before the first yellow flag was thrown on lap 75.

Coming to pit road for a four tire stop with fuel, Annett restarted 14th on lap 84. Battling a loose handling condition and needing more forward bite, Annett maintained 14th until the second caution came out on lap 118. As crew chief Ryan Fugle made the call for right side tires, air pressure adjustments and fuel, Annett pitted and returned to the track for a fifth place restart. Halted by a pit road speeding penalty, Annett returned to pit road for left side tires before restarting 19th.

Rebounding from his prior pit road penalty, Annett fought his setback and maneuvered his way back to 14th on lap 134. With two more cautions and one visit to pit road for changes and adjustments to the No. 15 Germain.com/Pilot Travel Centers Toyota Camry, Annett was ready to work his way into the top-10 after his 12th place restart on lap 172. In an effort to gain positions on the restart, Annett went to the top side but was crowded by a four-wide maneuver causing him to make contact with the wall and cutting short a potential top-10 finish. Annett drove through the checkered flag 19th.

Annett will now head to his home track, Iowa Speedway, as the track hosts its second ever Nationwide Series event. The week leading into Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and John Deere is filled with television, radio and print interviews along with sponsor and fan related appearances for Annett before cars hit the track on Friday for practice. Watch and listen live to the Nationwide Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and John Deere on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN 2 and MRN Radio.

For more information on Michael Annett and Germain Racing’s No. 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series team, check out www.MichaelAnnett.com and www.GermainRacing.com. Get live updates on Twitter @MichaelAnnett.

About Pilot Flying J:
Pilot Flying J is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has more than 550 locations in North America. The company employs more than 20,000 people and is the largest retail operator of travel centers in North America.