The Headlines:
Summer Success Streak: Rusty Wallace Racing’s No. 62 Pilot Flying J team is riding on a successful streak of four top-10 finishes in the past five Nationwide Series events. The No. 62 team, led by crew chief Rick Viers, has scored their four top-10s on a wide variety of tracks ranging from Road America’s 14-turn road course to Daytona’s high banked superspeedway. In driver Michael Annett’s most recent performance, he finished seventh on Kentucky Speedway’s 1.5 mile oval tallying the Rusty Wallace Racing organization’s seventh top-10 of the 2011 season.
Annett Makes 90th NNS Start on the Magic Mile: This weekend’s New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will mark 25-year-old Annett’s 90th career Nationwide Series start. Moving up to ninth in the Nationwide Series championship point standings after Kentucky, the Rusty Wallace Racing driver’s momentum from his recent string of strong finishes has him yearning for another respectable finish at the Magic Mile.
Viers Returns to Site of First Victory: Memories of Victory Lane make New Hampshire Motor Speedway a magical place for Rusty Wallace Racing crew chief Rick Viers. While working in the crew chief capacity for Akins Motorsports in 1999, Viers won his first race as a crew chief on New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Magic Mile. Calling the shots for driver Elton Sawyer, Viers led the team to their first victory in NASCAR’s second tiered series. Viers claims eight career wins as a crew chief at the Nationwide Series level.
Most Popular Driver Voting is Underway: Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver voting has returned for the fourth consecutive year in 2011 and is now underway on NASCAR.com. Fans can cast their vote for Rusty Wallace Racing’s Michael Annett once per day by visiting www.NASCAR.com/nnsmpd. Voting runs from now until November 17. The winner of the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award will be announced at the year-end banquet on November 21.
For the latest updates on Michael Annett, visit www.michaelannett.com.
Talking Shop:
Crew Chief Rick Viers on the No. 62 Team’s Success Leading into New Hampshire:
“We’ve really shown our strength these past few weeks and are positioned right where we need to be heading into this weekend’s race at New Hampshire. From Michael to each crew member, everyone has been very supportive of what we are out to accomplish. That positive attitude has us on the right track. New Hampshire is a memorable track for me because it’s where I got my first win as a crew chief, so another strong finish for this No. 62 team is exactly what we’re out for this weekend.”
From the Cockpit:
Michael Annett on the Pilot Flying J Team’s Success Streak:
“Our four top-10s in the last five races have proved that we’ve got all the right pieces in place for a successful second half of the season. My crew chief, Rick Viers, has been making some really great calls to get us where we need to be at the end of these races. I’m just really proud of everyone, from the guys in the shop to the guys on pit road. We’re really excited to be on this streak of strong finishes. It’s just the momentum builder we needed heading into this summer stretch of races. I’m looking forward to continuing to give Rusty Wallace Racing and Pilot Flying J the finishes they deserve.”
The Machines:
Team 62 Primary: RWR-059 – In 2011, the No. 62 team has competed with this chassis at Texas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Michigan International Speedway.
Team 62 Back-Up: RWR-051 – The No. 62 Pilot Flying J team’s last race competing with this chassis was at Bristol Motor Speedway in March.
Pilot Flying J Locations on your Way:
Pilot Flying J provides four convenient Pilot Travel Center locations in the New England states. For more information on Pilot Flying J and to map their nearest locations along your route, please visit www.pilotflyingj.com.
Pilot Travel Center
I-93 Exit 11/12C
728 SR 3A
Bow, NH 03304
Pilot Travel Center
I-84 Exit 1
400 Route 15 (Haynes St.)
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Pilot Travel Center
I-95 Exit 93
273 Clarks Falls Rd.
North Stonington, CT 06359
Pilot Travel Center
I-95 Exit 40
433 Old Gate Lane
Milford, CT 06460
About Pilot Flying J:
Pilot Flying J is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has more than 550 locations in North America. The company employs more than 20,000 people and is the largest retail operator of travel centers in North America. Follow Pilot Flying J on Twitter at @pilottravel.
Broadcast Info:
Final Practice
Friday, July 15, 1:30 p.m. ET
SPEED
Qualifying
Saturday, July 16, 10:30 a.m. ET
SPEED
New England 200
Saturday, July 16, 3:30 p.m. ET
ESPN
