Multiple sources have confirmed that Michael Annett and his Pilot/Flying J sponsorship will jump from Tommy Baldwin Racing (#7) to the HScott Motorsports stable in 2015, running the entire 36-race championship schedule as a teammate to #51-Justin Algaier. Annett finished 33rd in points at the wheel of TBR’s #7 Chevy in 2014; his rookie year of Sprint Cup Series competition. The team managed a top finish of 16th at Talladega Superspeedway in May. Annett declined to comment on the move when contacted earlier today (Tuesday), but sources close to the situation say he will race as a teammate to Algaier and the #51 Brandt Chevy, making HScott Motorsports a two-car operation for the first time in their brief Sprint Cup Series history. Calls placed to team owner Harry Scott, Jr. were not immediately returned.(Godfather Motorsports). HScott Motorsports ran an 2nd car for the Daytona 500 in 2014, with Bobby Labonte driving the #52 Florida Lottery Chevy to a 16th place finish. It was the only attempt of the season for the #52 team.(1-20-2015)
UPDATE – Michael Annett joins HScott Motorsports as second full-time driver: HScott Motorsports enters the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season with a new look as it expands to two cars. Justin Allgaier will return to the #51 BRANDT Chevy while Michael Annett joins the team and will drive a Chevrolet adorned by longtime anchor partner Pilot Flying J. “The addition of a second team increases HScott’s overall ability to better utilize its resources at track and at the shop to be even more competitive,” said team owner Harry Scott Jr. “I’m proud to have seen Justin truly mature as a NSCS driver last year, and I can’t wait to see what he does this year. Like Justin, Michael is coming off his rookie year following six years of competition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Michael is a quality driver with a great future at HScott Motorsports. These drivers compliment one another and will make great teammates.”
“This is as excited as I’ve been for a new season, I can’t wait to get to Daytona and fire the engines,” said Allgaier. “I’m looking forward to carrying the momentum from the end of last season over to this year. Michael is a great addition to our organization and I’m glad to have a teammate to compete with each week.”
BRANDT Professional Agriculture, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, returns as the primary sponsor of the #51 Chevy for 21 races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 22. Auto-Owners Insurance will also be the primary partner on the #51 for three races.
“Justin and the #51 team continue to be a great source of pride for BRANDT employees and customers, and we are all looking forward to a great 2015 season,” said BRANDT President and CEO Rick Brandt. “I’m excited for the opportunity to drive for HScott Motorsports,” said Annett. “I am impressed with the way Harry is building his NASCAR teams. Harry and competition director Steve Addington have a long-term vision and I’m honored to be part of it. I’m also looking forward to having Justin as a teammate.” Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel retail centers, will be a primary partner on Annett’s car. Other partners include Cypress Associates, Inc., Allstate Peterbilt Group and Northland Oil.(HScott Motorsports), no car number for Annett was announced. Annett drove the #7 Chevy for Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2014.(1-27-2015)
UPDATE2: at the NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Michael Annett was handing out hero cards with an image of the #46 Pilot Flying J Chevy. See an image of the car on the #46 Team Schemes page.(1-31-2015)
