DRIVE4COPD 300 RACE REPORT
Michael Annett
No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang
Michael Annett started the 120-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway from the 16th position. Annett finished the season opening event as follows:
27th—Michael Annett, No.43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang
Saturday marked Annett’s first race with Richard Petty Motorsports
Annett ran in the top-15 for the majority of the 300-mile event and was scored as high as third place before getting caught up in a late race accident
James Buescher claimed the victory Saturday afternoon after a race filled with eight cautions
Timmy Hill was the highest finishing (seventh)Ford Mustang at Daytona
Two NASCAR Nationwide Series records for Daytona International Speedway were set Saturday, the most lead changes (38) and the most leaders (16). The previous record was 35 lead changes among 12 leaders
Unofficially, Annett sits in 16th place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings heading into Phoenix next weekend
Annett’s Thoughts After the Race: *“My Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang was really fast today, but we just got caught up in some unfortunate circumstances at the end of the race and it ruined our chances for a good finish. I can’t say enough about my Richard Petty Motorsports crew, they did a phenomenal job today. We had a few bumps and bruises out there, but they never gave up. I think today was a good learning experience for us all. It was a total team effort and I appreciate all of their hard work.
“I’m really excited to go to Phoenix next weekend and see what kind of a Pilot Flying J car we’ve got. Daytona is so unpredictable and the best car doesn’t always win. This was the first time I have ever raced in a Ford Mustang and I was really impressed with the power underneath the hood. I’m expecting a fast car next weekend and I think we’ve got a good chance to finish up front at Phoenix. I can’t wait to get to the west coast and get my second race with RPM in the books.”
Next up in NASCAR Nationwide Series action is the Bashas Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Be sure to follow Richard Petty Motorsports on Twitter @RPMotorsports for behind the scenes updates, driver appearance information and qualifying and race updates. You can also check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/.
