Ricky Carmichael Thinks Eli Tomac Can Break His Daytona SX Record This Weekend
The following press release is from Daytona International Speedway:
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida—Who will be Eli Tomac’s biggest cheerleader this Saturday to win a record sixth Daytona Supercross? The answer may come as a shock, but it’s the guy who Tomac currently shares the record of five Daytona Supercross triumphs – the Greatest Of All Time, Ricky Carmichael.
“I want to see him do it. I love seeing history being made, and he deserves it,” said Carmichael, who, for the 15th consecutive year, designed the Daytona course that Tomac will vie for elite status this weekend. “I think he’s the one to beat my record. His style fits this track. He is a fantastic rider and a great ambassador of our sport.
“He has great core values and comes from a great racing family. He is someone for our youth to look up to. He is special. Watch him during Daytona Supercross – what he is able to do and how he can work the track and how strong he is, he’s something certainly special.”
Daytona Supercross kicks off the 81st Annual Bike Week At Daytona Presented By Monster Energy. The 52nd running of the event features the most demanding course of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship season – and the only AMA Supercross event in the state of Florida in 2022. Carmichael, known for winning Daytona Supercross five times and for being the AMA 450cc motocross national championship seven times, covets his triumphs at the World Center of Racing.
“When I drive through the gates and through that tunnel, it’s a feeling like no other, being here at Daytona,” said the 42 year old from Tallahassee, FL. “You pop out of that tunnel and you’re like ‘Whoa!’ You are in your own world. It’s the World Center of Racing. No matter whether its two wheels or four wheels, the events here are spectacles like no other. There is so much racing history here with so much racing talent that has won here. Being a Daytona Champion is something so special.
“In our sport, there is no one win you want to get more than Daytona Supercross. The reason is it’s just simply Daytona, plus it’s the most physical, mental and toughest a rider faces each season. Hands down, it’s Daytona. And, for me, I have lived in Florida all my life and it makes it that much more special.”
As for his unique design that the riders will challenge Saturday, Carmichael is “happy with it. The race track should race well. We have special features this year with the sand section, the wall jump, and the over and under. The over and under bridge opens up things, and the lanes are pretty long and will allow riders to get along side of each other. That will open up more opportunities for them to make passes. I am excited how it turned out.”
Fans still have the chance to get their tickets to witness the history-making effort of Tomac. Advanced general admission frontstretch seating for Daytona Supercross is just $45.00. Kids 6-12 are $15 and ages 5 and under are free in general admission areas. The midway opens at 9 am Saturday, with venue gates opening at 12 Noon.
Trackside Access, which allows fans to view the race while standing on the frontstretch of the 2.5-mile tri-oval, is available for an additional $20 and gets fans closer to the action that anywhere else on the Supercross circuit; kids 5 and under are free. Access to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross pits is free during the day for all ticket holders. The infield UNOH Fanzone opens at 10 am. All ticket and parking options can be found at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
The tradition-rich Bike Week At Daytona Presented By Monster Energy will also feature the Daytona 200, set for Saturday, March 12. Tickets are also on sale now for the Daytona 200. A host of Bike Week At Daytona Presented By Monster Energy camping packages to take in both event weekends are available where families can make Daytona their home for a week.
In addition, fans and visitors can enjoy the Bike Week Motorcycle Marketplace at Daytona International Speedway available. The area’s largest motorcycle marketplace will feature the nation’s top motorcycle parts, apparel vendors and much more.
Monster will also be bringing the action with a week full of excitement with autograph sessions, demonstrations and two FREE concerts - Face To Face on Wednesday (March 9) and Steel Panther on Friday (March 11). Both concerts, which will be held in Lot 4 outside the Turn 4 tunnel entrance, are brought to you by Monster Energy. Please note: Event and appearance schedule subject to change. For detailed information on all events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
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