Racing Update

09.08.2009

Michael Annett Awarded Raybestos Rookie of the Race at Atlanta for Third Time This Season

Contact: Maggie Martin, Rising Star Management Group, mmartin@risingstarmg.com

Hampton, Ga. (September 8, 2009) — Atlanta Motor Speedway's Degree V12 300 proved to be a peak race in Michael Annett's first full-time season in the Nationwide Series.

In his first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Germain Racing No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota Camry, Annett finished 14th earning the Raybestos Rookie of the Race award as well as the Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race award. He was also the top finishing Nationwide Series only regular in the Degree V12 300, once again moving him up in the Nationwide Series points race to 11th, now only 177 points out of the top-10.

"It's exciting to bring home so many honors in one race. I'm very lucky to have Pilot Travel Centers on board as a sponsor and I'm glad I was able to give them the respectable finish they deserve," said Annett, "Reaching the top-10 in points is very important to us now, so this finish definitely pushed us one step closer to our goal. This was my first time racing at Atlanta, and it turned out to be a lot of fun and a really good race for the entire No. 15 Germain Racing team. I can't thank my team enough for how much hard work they put in at the shop and at the track. We just keep getting better throughout the season, so I look forward to seeing what we've got for these next nine races that are left."

Annett qualified 24th for Atlanta Motor Speedway's Degree V12 300, but shot up into the top-20 at the drop of the green. With only three cautions during race, Annett rode strong in the top-20 throughout the entire 195 lap race, moving into the top-15 and staying there in the last 25 laps of the race.

"I love the fight in Michael. Throughout the race, he moved around on the track to find a comfortable line and he made it work," said spotter Slugger Labbe, "He had a tough field of competitors with 15 double-duty drivers in the race with him. He stood his own and did a great job building up his momentum."

As the top finishing Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate, Annett finished 14th in the Degree V12 300.

Annett and his No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers team have nine more races left in the 2009 Nationwide Series season with the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway up next. The Nationwide Series hits the track for a one-day show at Richmond on Friday, September 11. Watch and listen live to the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 on ESPN 2 at 7 p.m. and MRN Radio at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Michael Annett, please visit www.michaelannett.com and www.germainracing.com.