MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Ricky Carmichael will get a jump start on his new partnership with Turner Motorsports by driving the No. 31 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado for the team this weekend at Phoenix Int’l Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.
Carmichael signed a multi-year contract and plans to compete full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season for owners Steve and Sandra Turner. Carmichael will also participate in 10 ARCA RE/MAX Series races throughout the 2010 season.
“I’m very excited about having the opportunity to compete full time in the Truck Series next season for Turner Motorsports,” said Carmichael, a 15-time American Motorcyclist Ass’n champion. “To compete every week and gain as much seat time as possible is the only way that I will be able to get better as a driver. The Truck series is a great place to learn and the racing is very competitive, no matter which track we go to. On top of the Truck schedule next year, we will run 10 ARCA races and possibly some Nationwide Series races which will give me some extra time in these stock cars. The two races that we will run this year at Phoenix and Homestead will definitely give us a chance to start getting everything ready for 2010 and I’m pumped about the future.”
Carmichael made the switch from two wheels to four in 2007, competing in a partial schedule in the Florida FASCAR Series before joining Ken Schrader Racing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series the following year. Carmichael has raced a part-time Truck series schedule for Kevin Harvick, Inc. this season.
“To have a driver with as much talent as Ricky is something that every owner wants to have,” said Steve Turner, co-owner of Turner Motorsports. “Ricky has accomplished a lot in his motocross career and he has the determination and passion to have just as much success in his stock car career. It’s an exciting addition for our Turner Motorsports team and the two races this season will give us a head start heading into 2010.”
Carmichael joins new teammate James Buescher, who will drive a second entry at Turner Motorsports in at least 19 races next season. Sponsorship details, truck number and personnel information will be released at a later date.