Michael Annett WINS at Daytona
Michael Annett kicks off the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season with a WIN at Daytona!
Above: Michael Annett crossing the finish line for his win at Daytona. Right: Michael Annett poses with trophy alongside crew chief Travis Mack and JR Motorsports founder Dale Earnhardt Jr.
M
ichael Annett’s first race in the No. 1 Pilot Flying J/American Heart Association Chevrolet was definitely one to remember. Switching car numbers for the 2019 season, from No. 5 to No. 1, Annett came to Daytona International Speedway on Saturday with the idea of racing well and near the front in the season-opening NASCAR Racing Experience 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He did just that, winning the 120-lap event over JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier. It was the first victory for Annett in the series and came in his 230th NXS start. His best finish previously was a secondplace run in 2017 on the road course at Road America. The day started out with a third-place run in qualifying, which was his best career NXS start as well, and just got better from there. On the initial start, Annett moved his black-and-red Chevrolet to the front row after polesitter Tyler Reddick was forced to start from the back due to
a tire change. Annett fired off well, but the top line was the place to be and he faded to eighth at the end of the first lap. Rejoining the top line, Annett rode to the end of Stage One in 13th place. On his pit stop, Annett took four tires and fuel on his Chevrolet Camaro SS with no adjustments, and gained four spots on the exchange. However, an uncontrolled tire during the stop caused him to drop to 30th for the restart.
put him fourth for the restart, and after a brief drop to sixth, he was fourth on lap 72 when the caution waved for debris. Mack called Annett down pit road again a lap later for fuel only, and sent his driver back out with instructions to save fuel. It would be the final stop for Annett and the No. 1 team until the car rolled into Victory Lane.
Starting second with Brandon Jones on the point, Annett ran second for two laps before sweeping to the lead on lap 76, the first time Annett had led an NXS race at Daytona. Keeping his Chevrolet on the top groove, Annett led the field through another caution for a spin on Unperturbed, Annett started the long road the backstretch five laps later, and held serve on the ensuing restart despite a back to the front and climbed to 19th in brief surge by Christopher Bell. Allgaier two laps and was 11th with 10 to go in the 30-lap Stage Two. A last-lap scramble had lined up in second spot and Annett maintained his perch at the head of the saw Annett gain two more spots and he finished Stage Two in ninth, earning stage pack for the next 37 laps. Allgaier and points for the first time this season. It also others in the pack worked to mount a set up the series of events that eventually charge at Annett, but none struck home and the 32-year-old Iowa native crossed got him to Victory Lane. the line .116 seconds ahead of Allgaier. Crew chief Travis Mack called his driver His 45 laps led set a career high for to pit road for right-side tires and fuel, Annett in a single race, and the victory with no adjustments, and he came off pit was JRM’s 45th as a team and sixth at road fifth for the final 60-lap run to the Daytona International Speedway, all checkered flag. A penalty ahead of him by different drivers. Annett is the fifth
6 | Destination: Excellence | Winter 2019 Edition
