Richard Petty Motorsports announced today the formation of a new NASCAR Nationwide Series team with Michael Annett as driver and Pilot Flying J as sponsor of the No. 43 Ford Mustang.

Annett, who drove for Rusty Wallace, Inc. last year, will drive the full schedule for RPM in 2012.

"They say that when one door closes, another door opens, and that is most definitely true," said Annett. "We were left scrambling a bit because of the situation with RWI and were unsure what the future held, but I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out. To have the chance to race for Richard Petty and to be under the RPM umbrella is amazing."

The Iowa native scored ARCA wins at Talladega and Daytona before joining the Nationwide Series in 2009 and finished 10th in the point standings that season. Annett completed the 2011 season ninth in points.

"It's exciting to have the opportunity to partner with a brand as prestigious as Pilot Flying J," said team co-owner Richard Petty. "We are happy to welcome them to the Richard Petty Motorsports family and to our partner family as well.

"This has been an exciting couple of months for Richard Petty Motorsports.  We are looking forward to getting back into the Nationwide Series full time and seeing what Michael Annett can do in an RPM Ford Mustang. Michael has improved every season he has raced in the Nationwide Series and has the dedication and drive to be a success."

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