Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is a unique experience compared to any other race event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit. In Sunday’s qualifying time trial’s at the famed Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Michael Annett, driver of the Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) No. 7 Pilot Flying J Chevy SS, laid down a fast lap with a speed of 194.574 mph which earned him the ninth place starting spot in the second of two Budweiser Duels Daytona 500 qualifying races to be held Thursday, Feb. 20 at DIS.
Annett commented on his qualifying effort and looks forward to the Budweiser Duels,
“The lap was really good. I think every time we’ve been on track down here we’ve picked up time and that was the most we’ve picked up. It’s a testament to these guys and all of the hard work we’ve put in during the offseason. That makes me really excited to go into the Duels in a good starting position. We just need to keep out of trouble and finish well.”
“We’re really excited that we had a good lap during qualifying,” said team owner Tommy Baldwin. “It puts us at an advantage starting ahead of a lot of cars and being in the second race makes it a little easier to do our job because we can see how the first race pans out. As in the Sprint Unlimited race, the ½ inch spoiler made a difference with drafting, with that, we just need to stay out of trouble to get a solid finish and put us in the Daytona 500 with a good starting position.”
Tommy Baldwin Racing will also field a second entry in the Budweiser Duels 150. Reed Sorenson will pilot the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevy SS starting on the grid 15th in the first race.
Watch Tommy Baldwin Racing’s Michael Annett and Reed Sorenson race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Budweiser Duels live from Daytona International Speedway on Fox Sports 1 Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. EST.
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