Ricky Carmichael will have a new home next season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The 15-time American Motorcyclist Association champion, who made his first foray into NASCAR this year driving for Kevin Harvick Inc., said Thursday he is leaving KHI for the new Turner Motorsports organization, where he’ll compete as a teammate alongside incoming driver James Buescher. Carmichael isn’t severing all ties with KHI co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick; he’ll be receiving equipment and technical support from KHI in his new endeavor with a fellow Chevrolet team. Carmichael called his impending move “a great opportunity” and said he remains on good terms with the Harvick’s, who will once again field the #33 Truck of point leader Ron Hornaday in 2010. “I think there would always be room there but we couldn’t give them the yes or no on our sponsor for next year when we needed it and I think Kevin wants to focus on the 33 and his Nationwide stuff as well,” Carmichael said after practice at Texas Motor Speedway. “We’re great friends. There’s no problems there. He needed to make a business decision and I understand that.” The sponsor in question – Monster Energy drink – has had a lengthy relationship with Carmichael that began in his motorcycling days. Carmichael is still hopeful that he can carry the sponsor to his new ride. “I’ve been with Monster for a long time, just about longer than any other athlete they have,” said Carmichael, noting that he could possibly make a few Nationwide and ARCA series starts next season in addition to his Truck plans. “It’s hard to get them over here on this side. They’re a huge motorcycle sponsor and any kind of dirt racing. They’ve been very good to me and I hope that they’ll be along for the ride.” Carmichael wants to run a full Truck schedule in 2010, sponsorship permitting.(SceneDaily.com)(11-5-2009)
UPDATE: Also hearing that Carmichael’s current crew chief at KHI, John Monsam, will also be making the move to Turner Motorsports in 2010.(11-5-2009)
UPDATE 2: During an interview on SPEEDtv’s Race Hub broadcast, Ricky Carmichael said that even though he’s moving to Turner Motorsports he’ll be under Kevin Harvick’s “wing”. Carmichael said Harvick was instrumental in putting the deal together with Turner Motorsports. Carmichael said the plan is to run the full Truck Series season, 10 ARCA races and possibly some Nationwide races in 2010.(11-10-2009)
UPDATE 3: Turner Motorsports, LLC has announced former professional motocross and supercross racer Ricky Carmichael has joined the organization to pilot the #31 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado in the final two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events of the 2009 season, at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. In addition, Carmichael has signed a multi-year contract and will compete full-time in the 2010 Truck Series season for owners Steve and Sandra Turner and the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team. In an effort to gain maximum seat time, Carmichael will also participate in 10 ARCA RE/MAX Series races throughout the 2010 season. Sponsorship details, truck number and personnel will be released at a later date.(Turner Motorsports PR)(11-10-2009)
