Ricky Carmichael lands Monster Energy as primary sponsor for 2009 Truck series

By SceneDaily Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Kevin Harvick Inc. officials say that Monster Energy will sponsor Ricky Carmichael in the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Carmichael, a 29-year-old native of Clearwater, Fla., and the most successful motocross racer in history, will drive the No. 4 truck for the KHI team in at least 14 Truck events, according to a news release announcing the deal. He will also drive a car sponsored by the company in the season-opening Automobile Racing Club of America race at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 4 team, led by recently hired crew chief Bill Wilburn, will assume the ninth-place 2008 owners points from the No. 2 KHI team. The No. 2 team scored its maiden victory at Atlanta with Ryan Newman last October, then won again with Harvick at Phoenix in November.

Carmichael competed using the No. 4 from his first motorcycle race through his retirement from two-wheeled racing in 2007.

Carmichael has won more American Motorcyclist Association championships (15) and races (150) than any other series competitor. He was named the AMA Rider of the Year five times.

Team owner Kevin Harvick will announce the remaining lineup of drivers, which includes himself, later.

Monster Energy has been a sponsor of Carmichael's since 2005.

"It’s really an honor to bring them into the Truck series with me and KHI," he said. "This is an opportunity I’m really excited about. I think this is my best shot to learn and the best chance to become a successful NASCAR driver. I’m going to give 110 percent to make it worthwhile for myself and the entire team.”

Team owner Kevin Harvick said that he likes the determination and drive that Carmichael has shown in his motocross career.

“I believe he will put the same effort toward his stock-car career," Harvick said. "He knows how to race and he takes care of his equipment. Every time I’ve seen him race, he has shown great promise.”
 
Carmichael finished sixth in points in his rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World East Series, driving for Ken Schrader Racing in 2008. In 13 starts, Carmichael had three top-five and eight top-10 finishes, with one pole position. Carmichael drove one race for KHI in 2008, running among the top-five in the ARCA race at Talladega before a blown right-rear tire knocked the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet out of the race.

Carmichael will drive in the races at Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 13), Auto Club Speedway in California (Feb. 21), Kansas Speedway (April 25), Texas Motor Speedway (June 5), The Milwaukee Mile (June 19), Memphis Motorsports Park (June 27), Kentucky Speedway (July 18), Indianapolis Raceway Park (July 24), Nashville Superspeedway (Aug. 1), Chicagoland Speedway (Aug. 29), Iowa Speedway (Sept. 5), Gateway International Raceway (Sept. 12), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sept. 26) and Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 31).

Financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed.

Comments

7 responses to "Ricky Carmichael lands Monster Energy as primary sponsor for 2009 Truck series ". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Andrew Briscoe said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    Good to see that KHI landed a sponsor to help continue Ricky's development even when other teams are cutting back on that.

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  2. 2
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 5:54 PM

    Monster Energy and Red Bull have their mitts in all kinds of motorsports? There must be a lot of people out there with a lot of energy!

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  3. 3
    ed gordon said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    Going to be a big step up for the g.oa.t.
    I hope he can hang,but it's going to be tough.Go Ricky!

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  4. 4
    Bill said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Always a fan of Ricky's,and thanks to KHI for giving him a shot. I was impressed with Ricky when I watched him race at Loudon in the east division.

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  5. 5
    Kim Palmer said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    Go GOAT! I thinks it's great that R.C. is getting a chance to shine and like Jimmy, show that guys that cut their teeth on dirt bikes can kick butt in NASCAR. I can just see R.C. clearing a path for Bubba Stewart to follow in a few years.

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  6. 6
    ed grace said:
    Jan 28, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    Not ready for the truck racing, needs more time on short track cars.This is not the place to just jump into a major series with out two or more years under his belt in short track cars to get to fell of a race car. This is what happens to so many great drivers.Thats what happens when drivers get good sponsor money.NEEDS MORE TIME

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  7. 7
    ed grace said:
    Jan 28, 2009 at 9:22 PM

    Not ready for the truck racing, needs more time on short track cars.This is not the place to just jump into a major series with out two or more years under his belt in short track cars to get to fell of a race car. This is what happens to so many great drivers.Thats what happens when drivers get good sponsor money.NEEDS MORE TIME

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