2014 Driver Reviews: No. 33 Michael Annett
After doing exit interviews for Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2013, we’re turning the tables. We want the drivers to sell themselves. So here are the resumés for all full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2014. Then, at the end, we’ll provide a summation of the driver’s season in 150 words or less.
Name: Michael Annett
NASCAR Experience: One full year in the Sprint Cup Series and five-plus seasons in the Nationwide Series
Most recent team: Tommy Baldwin Racing
Most recent season finish: 33rd
2014 accomplishments: Finished 16th at Talladega in the spring and got top-20 finishes at Auto Club, Pocono and Kentucky. Just missed finishing in the top 20 at Atlanta and Texas. Had six lead lap finishes for a team that had one full-time sponsor between two cars.
Most memorable moment: Making the final round of qualifying at Talladega in the fall and qualifying 10th. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate to a good finish as a crash resulted in a 37th-place finish. But that’s why restrictor plate racing is called roulette, right?
Strengths: Sponsor relations and outperformed teammate with significant Cup experience in rookie season.
2015 goals: Turn a top-20 into a top-10 and finish on the lead lap 10 or more times. Outperform teammate once again.
FTM’s Take: Annett’s path to the Cup Series has been a patient one. He raced in ARCA for parts of three seasons before moving to the Nationwide Series and then the Cup Series. However, his last national series win came in ARCA in 2008. With the continued fraud allegations against Pilot, Annett’s sponsor, it’s fair to wonder if Annett will be on the outside looking in if Pilot has to drop its NASCAR sponsorship in the future.
Previous reviews: No. 34 Reed Sorenson, No. 35 Alex Bowman
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
