Annett Loudon Race Recap

Race Release posted on 12/03/2008

Michael Annett - Pilot Travel Centers  
Post Race Report 
 
Race:    Camping World 200 (Race 18 of 25) 
Track:    New Hampshire Motor Speedway  
Date:    Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 
Started:   12th 
Finish:   24th 
Laps Completed:  197 
Total Laps:   200 
NCTS Points Position 12th 
 
Michael Annett made his final appearance behind the wheel of the No. 22 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota Tundra this weekend at "The Magic Mile" in Loudon, N.H.  The 22-year-old Iowa native has made five starts in the No. 22 Toyota Tundra.  He finished second on one occasion and impressed many along the way.  Annett wanted to 
finish his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season with a solid finish. 
 
The No. 22 team struggled with both loose and tight handling conditions during both practice sessions Friday afternoon.  Annett told his team the truck was tight in the center of the corners and loose off, which was hindering his ability to gain speed down the straightaways.  The team made changes to both the front and rear of 
the truck, trying to dial it in for Saturday’s 200 mile event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  The changes improved the truck, and by the end of the final practice session, both Annett and the team confident they had a strong Tundra for Saturday’s race. 
 
The starting grid was set based on Craftsman Truck Series Owners’ points after rain forced the cancellation of qualifying.  Annett started Saturday’s 200-lap event in the 12th spot.  By lap four, Annett told his team the truck was loose coming up off the corners, which was hurting the truck’s momentum down the straightaways.  The 
team began thinking of changes to make during the first pit stop of the day. 
 
By lap 40, Annett had fallen to the 22nd spot and was struggling to find the balance on his Toyota Tundra.  He pitted under caution 10 laps later for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.  Fast work by the No. 22 crew placed Annett 14th on the track for the restart.  
 
Annett was heading for the top 10 when he told his team something was wrong with the truck.  The truck was vibrating, and Annett thought he might have a loose right side wheel.  Crew chief Doug Wolcott called his driver back down pit road on lap 75 under green flag conditions.  The team changed right side tires and filled the truck with fuel.  After investigation, the crew found that a loose wheel caused the vibration. 
 
Annett and the No. 22 team continued to work on their truck.  Annett later explained his Tundra was super tight and would not turn in the gas; despite the handling issue, his lap times were competitive.  He worked up to the 13th positions before being spun entering turn one.  The incident resulted in heavy damage to the front and rear 
of his machine.  The team continued to race its battered truck and brought home a 24th- place finish. 
 
Scott Speed will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 22 truck when the team heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The race can be seen live on Speed Channel at 9:30 EST, Saturday, Sept. 20. 

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