Ricky Carmichael to leave Kevin Harvick Inc. at end of '09, join Turner Motorsports
By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Driver Ricky Carmichael is leaving Kevin Harvick Inc. to join Turner Motorsports next season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
FORT WORTH, Texas – 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.
Buescher, who currently competes for Circle Bar Racing in the Truck series, plans to make at least 19 Truck starts for Turner Motorsports – which is debuting at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend - in addition to a full Nationwide Series campaign with Phoenix Racing.
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 Harvicks, who will once again field the No. 33 Truck of points 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. He’s competed on a part-time basis this year, sharing time in KHI’s No. 4 truck with Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and J.R. Fitzpatrick.
Carmichael has just two top-10s in 15 starts.
So what’s the 29-year-old’s assessment of his performance?
“I think you’ve got to be realistic,” he said. “I think I’ve done good at times and haven’t done good at times. You’d have to ask someone like Kevin that question. I’m not good about talking about myself. I always want to do better but at the same time you’ve got to be realistic.”
Carmichael admits that his transition from racing motorcycles on dirt to trucks on asphalt hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk.
“The biggest thing with the trucks is learning the air,” he said. “You’re wide open all the time so you’re depending on your aerodynamics and setup. It’s not like a short track where you can beat the guy getting on the throttle and braking; these mile-and-a-halves you’re wide open all the time.
“So it’s been a challenge, but I didn’t expect it to be easy.”
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (188) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (120) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Mike Skinner optimistic about 2010 prospects
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series top-20 rankings
Comments (3) -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Comments (2) -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (27) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (15)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Comments
4 responses to "Ricky Carmichael to leave Kevin Harvick Inc. at end of '09, join Turner Motorsports". Post a Comment.
Phoenix987 said:
Nov 5, 2009 at 8:38 PMLeaving to run full-time when KHI probably wouldn't give him the chance to do so is probably a good idea, since he'll still get KHI equipment and everything.
Report as AbuseAlthough there's got to be some reserve about going to a brand new team next year...
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportamalycke said:
Nov 5, 2009 at 9:08 PMTurner Motorsports sounds like a total flop. Maybe Danica can take over that truck ride ... for a MILLION DOLLARS A RACE.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportBill8848 said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 12:51 PMI'm sure he went there to get a full time ride. See what happens with a new team.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportRobbygordonfan1 said:
Nov 12, 2009 at 3:29 AMIt's nice that he has a ride but I don't think in the long run it will matter too much....I don't see him advancing any further then trucks.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report