“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.

 

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. 

 

The Rusty Wallace Racing organization will now go road course racing for the second of three times in 2011. Finishing seventh in his last attempt at a road course, Annett looks to earn another respectable finish at Watkins Glen International on Saturday. The Nationwide Series Zippo 200 at the Glen kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on August 13. Tune to ESPN for live coverage of the 82 lap event.

 

For the latest updates on Michael Annett, please visit www.michaelannett.com.

 

About Northland Oil:

 

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 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.