Catchfence

Daytona Beach, Fla. (July 6, 2009) – It was a good night turned bad for
Michael Annett at Daytona International Speedway on Friday. Finishing 8th
in both of Thursday’s practice sessions, the No. 15 Germain Racing team
had confidence going into Friday’s Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by
Coca-Cola. Annett qualified the No. 15 Ventrilo Toyota Camry 9th, but was
faced with tire and brake troubles that brought a disappointing end to the
evening.

Starting 9th, Annett was the fastest Raybestos Rookie of the Year
candidate and fastest Toyota to qualify. Running as high as 2nd, Annett
had one of quickest cars on the track. The No. 15 Ventrilo Camry
consistently ran in the top-10 throughout the first 15 laps until a left
front tire went down forcing the rookie to pit under green. Back into the
race in 39th, Annett continued to work his way around the track with lap
times faster than those running in the top-five positions.

On lap 44, the second caution of the night came out and as the leader of
the lap down cars, Annett earned the lucky dog free pass moving him to the
tail end of the lead lap. With the drop of the green for the restart,
Annett once again used his speed to move his way to the front and was
racing in the top-15 by lap 60.

With yet another left front tire going flat with less than 25 laps to go,
tire troubles determined the race for the No. 15 team. Once again forced
to come to pit road under green to change the tire, Annett re-entered the
track and discovered more problems. Having extreme difficulty with his
brakes, Annett and his hardworking Germain Racing team were forced to
bring the car to the garage. After diligently working on the car, the No.
15 crew sent Annett back out on the track, but the brake problems overcame
the car sending it to the garage to park for the night. Annett finished
the Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola in 35th.

“We had a top-five car, so the tire and brake problems were unfortunate.
Michael showed his skill getting back up to the front after the first left
front went down. I just wish this No. 15 team could’ve brought home the
finish we deserved,” said crew chief Mike Hillman Sr.

“The guys did everything they could to get me back out there. I thought
Daytona was going to bring this team our first top-five of the season, but
I guess we were just caught with bad luck,” said Annett.

Halfway through the NASCAR Nationwide Series season, the circuit will make
its next trip to Chicagoland Speedway for the 18th race of the season. The
Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola at Chicago starts Friday night at
7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

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

- Rising Star Management Group Press Release