Annett Embraces Slick Track, Finishes 21st at Michigan

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Michael Annett scored a 21st-place finish Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, tying for the best finish ever at MIS by a Tommy Baldwin Racing driver. For Annett and his Pilot Flying J team, on a competitive roll since a strong showing two weeks ago at Dover, it was a total team effort.

Annett started 37th and passed for position up to 32nd place prior to the first pit stop cycle of the race on lap 36. Driving on a track surface that became slick as the weekend progressed, Annett needed his Chevrolet SS to have a tighter handling condition, something which crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion attempted to remedy along with four new tires and fuel.

 

Through ensuing runs, Annett’s car would have a loose handling condition for the first 10 to 15 laps, and then become neutral. He climbed to as high as 23rd, accepting a wave-around during one caution-flag cycle as Manion began setting up the fuel windows for what was shaping up to be a final long, fuel-conscious run to the finish.

 

Under green-flag conditions with 15 laps remaining, Annett, running 22nd, pitted for two right-side tires and a can of fuel. The stop was a quick one for the TBR pit crew as Annett maintained his position. In the waning laps, Annett passed for 21st place, where he would finish.

 

The 21st-place position is the best a TBR driver has finished at Michigan since David Reutimann took the checkered flag in the same spot in 2012.

 

Rising Star PR