 TALLADEGA,
AL (October 5, 2007) -- Making just his fourth ARCA RE/MAX Series start,
Michael Annett (photo) narrowly edged veteran Frank Kimmel at the finish of the
ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday. Annett's margin of
victory over the eight-time series champion was just .042 seconds. It was also
the first time in the 55-year history of the series that a Toyota has made it
to victory lane.
Fifty-eight cars were on hand for qualifying. In addition to series
regulars, the field included several young drivers from various Cup garages
hoping to learn something for Sunday's race while also testing the skills of
many up-and-coming drivers.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series continues to attract a wide array of competitors with
five drivers hailing from outside the United States including; Dario Franchitti
(Edinburgh, Scotland), Max Dumarey (Gent, Belgium), Ryan Fischer (Surrey,
British Columbia), John Graham (Aurora, Ontario) and Julien Penaruiz (Paris,
France).
The list of entrants also contained two female competitors (Erin Crocker and
Gabi DiCarlo) with both drivers making the race's 41-car field.
In qualifying, Noblesville, Indiana's Brian Clauson earned the pole for the
race after circling the 2.66-mile track in 51.807 seconds (184.840 mph).
Michael Annett would join Clauson in the front row with a time of 51.865
seconds (184.633 mph).
The 94-lap race featured six leaders among four different drivers. Michael
Annett led three times for 75 laps. Others leading during the event included;
Bryan Silas (30-32), Colin Braun (33-40) and Richard Johns (45-52).
When it was over, Michael Annett took the win over Frank Kimmel who was
closing fast at the finish. Kimmel, who started ninth, was just .042 seconds
behind Annett at the line.
Dominick Casola finished in third place after starting 21st. It was Casola's
best-ever finish in the series. He also won the Hoosier Tire Hard Charger Award
for advancing the most positions.
Richard John finished in fourth followed by Billy Venturini to round out the
list of top five finishers.
The race was slowed five times for cautions for 30 laps with 29 of the 41
starters finishing the race on the lead lap.
Erin Crocker, who finished 18th, won the 2007 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway
Challenge Championship. It was the first time a female driver has won the
award.
Frank Kimmel won the 2007 Bill France Triple Crown Award for his efforts on
three drastically different tracks. The award was based on a driver's
performance on a dirt track, a short track and a superspeedway.
Heading into the series' final event, Frank Kimmel continues to lead the
driver standings with 5,250 points. Michael McDowell is in second (4955)
followed by Dexter Bean (4580), Justin Allgaier (4500) and Justin Marks (4350).
Frank Kimmel is also looking to capture a record ninth series championship
this weekend at Toledo (OH) Speedway where the ARCA RE/MAX Series will conclude
its 23-race season.
The race is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM (ET) on Sunday, October 14th. It
is scheduled to be broadcast LIVE on SPEED.
For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX Series and complete race results
visit www.arcaracing.com.
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