Ricky Carmichael
Kevin Harvick Inc.
No. 33 Chevrolet
Race: ARCA RE/MAX 250
Laps: 94 laps (250 miles)
Telecast: Friday, Oct. 3
Speed, 5:00 pm ET
Carmichael on Two Wheels
How successful has Carmichael been on two wheels? Here is a quick synopsis of his American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) resume:
· 5 Supercross championships
· 10 AMA National outdoor championships
· 150 professional race victories
· Multiple titles in the worldwide Motocross-of-Nations event.
· X Games Gold Medals:
Moto X racing and step-up competition.
· First rider to record an undefeated season in the AMA National Outdoor Championships, winning 24 motos without a defeat in the 250cc category in 2002 and again in 2004.
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (September 29, 2008) – Ricky Carmichael, the most successful motocross racer in history, will attempt to make his Auto Racing Club of America (ARCA) debut this Friday, October 3 in the ARCA RE/MAX 250 race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Carmichael, 28, of Tallahassee, Fla., will be driving the Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) No. 33 Chevrolet. It marks his first start for the KHI organization. Carmichael and the team completed a successful two-day test in mid-September at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.
Ricky Carmichael / Driver Quotes:
How was the test session with KHI at Talladega – your first time in a stock car on a superspeedway? “I think it went very well. The solo runs (on the first day of testing) almost made me sick because I was so focused and so anxious to get out there and learn about drafting. That was all I was thinking about – drafting – because it was such an unknown to me. Things that are unknown are usually scary and my brain was solely focused on that. I really enjoyed it. It’s a different skill than racing on a short track where you can just throttle-up coming off of a corner.
“My goal is to learn as much as I can and do a good job for KHI so I can get approved by NASCAR to race at Daytona next year in the Truck Series. That’s the big picture here: showing what we can do and trying to get the sponsor support to go Truck racing in 2009. I need to finish the race, avoid trouble, and try my best to earn all of the experience and respect that I can. I have a great car and the KHI team is so supportive and confident in me. I’m thankful for the chance and I think we’ll do well together.”
Kevin Harvick / Team Co-Owner Quotes:
What qualities do you see in Ricky that prompted you to offer him a ride? “I like the fact he has the determination and drive to have won multiple championships running motorcycles. I believe he will put the same will and determination toward his stock car career. He knows how to race and he takes care of his equipment. Every time I’ve seen him race, he has shown great promise.”
What do you hope to see from him at Talladega? “We are going to Talladega to get him some superspeedway experience in hopes of running a full truck season in 2009. Our main goal is for him to make laps, get drafting experience and finish the race. There are no unrealistic expectations from our point of view.”
TV Coverage: In addition to his appearance live in-studio last night on SPEED TV's "Wind Tunnel," Ricky is also scheduled to appear on Thursday's edition of NASCAR NOW on ESPN2. The show will air live at 5:00 pm ET.
NASCAR Experience: Carmichael is currently seventh in the NASCAR Camping World East Series point standings in his rookie season. With one race remaining, Carmichael has three top-five and seven top-10 finishes with one pole position driving for Ken Schrader Racing.
About Kevin Harvick Inc.: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams, including the 2007 series champions: the No. 33 Camping World/VFW Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday as well as the No. 2 American Commercial Lines/RVs.com Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Camping World/Rheem Chevrolet competing full-time in the Nationwide Series, with drivers Kevin Harvick, a two-time Nationwide Series champion, Hornaday and Cale Gale. The 2008 season marks KHI’s fifth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.
