RICKY CARMICHAEL SET TO MAKE 2011 NATIONWIDE SERIES DEBUT
15-time AMA champ to pilot the No. 30 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala in four NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2011
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 15, 2011) -Ricky Carmichael will make his 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) debut in the cockpit of Turner Motorsports’ No. 30 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala in the Bucyrus 200 Presented by Menards at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
In addition to his duty at the division’s second-annual stop at the at the famed 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course, the 31-year-old driver will also pilot the No. 30 Monster Energy-sponsored entry at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, Richmond International Raceway on September 9 and at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12. Veteran Turner Motorsports crew chief Stewart Cooper will call the shots for Carmichael’s debut in the No. 30 machine.
The 15-time American Motocross Association (AMA) National Champion made his first career Nationwide Series start last October at Kansas Speedway where he started 12th and finished 18th. In four NNS races last season, Carmichael earned one top-20 finish, logged a 26.8 average start, a 26.2 average finish and completed 83 percent of the laps run over those four starts.
The Bucyrus 200 presented by Menards will mark his first road course race in Nationwide Series competition. In two NASCAR Camping World East Series road course races in 2008, Carmichael finished ninth and 12th, respectively at Watkins Glen International and Lime Rock Speedway.
“I’m obviously excited about running more Nationwide Series races with Monster Energy and Turner Motorsports,” said Carmichael. “Steve Turner is one of my biggest supporters andhasgiven me a tremendous opportunity. The biggest thing I’m looking for out of these four races is seat time. My goal is to move up and race in the Nationwide Series full time so this is a great chance for me to get some track time and better familiarize myself with the car. It is going to be a fun four races and hopefully we’ll have some good runs in the No. 30 Monster Energy Chevy.”
Carmichael is currently in his third season overall and second full-time, competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In 52 Truck Series’ starts, the Tallahassee, Fla., resident has earned three top-five and14 top-10 finishes, led 38 laps and is currently 12th in points. He finished sixth in the division’s most recent stop at Texas Motor Speedway.
“Ricky has an incredible upside and we want to give him every opportunity to move up to the next level,” explained Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner. “I think a lot of people forget that Ricky hadn’t driven anything like a stock car until four years ago and he’s competing at a very high level against drivers who are much more experienced in this particular discipline of racing. We knew from the very beginning that Ricky’s learning curve would be steep but we also have a great deal of confidence in him. I expect him to rise to the occasion with this program.”
Monster Energy and Carmichael have been synonymous since 2005 when the Corona, Calif.,-headquartered company signed on to sponsor the winningest rider in Supercross and Motocross history for the Anaheim Supercross. Since then, the rise in popularity of both the driver and sponsor continue to reach new heights.
“Ricky Carmichael is a ‘Monster Man’ and we always know he is going to give 100 percent to win,” commented Mitch Covington, Athlete Development and Special Projects, Monster Energy.” Just like in his Motocross career, Ricky always puts a lot into preparing to win and then has the heart and determination to hang it out. We enjoy being a part of his program and look forward to his 2011 debut in the Nationwide Series at Road America”.
The Bucyrus 200 Presented by Menards from Road America will take the green flag Sat., June 25at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 5 p.m. EDT and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
About Monster Energy: Monster Energy supports the scene. Be it NASCAR, MX/SX, road racing, off-road, MTB/BMX, rally, skate/surf, mountain, on the road with Warped Tour, the DUB Show, Ozzfest … or just kickin’ it local with the bros … wherever the action’s going off you’re sure to find the M-claw logo. Monster Import, Import Light and DUB join all the types – Original Monster Energy, Lo-Carb Monster, Monster Assault, Monster’s fruit juice hybrids dubbed Monster Khaos, Monster M-80 and Monster MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster and X-Presso Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with Monster Energy’s blend, 3 oz. Monster Hitman Energy and the new Monster Energy “Rehab,” combining ice tea and lemonade with Monster Energy OG. RC digs ’em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
About Turner Motorsports: Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas businessman Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will compete with three entries in the Camping World Truck Series and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher, Brad Sweet and Brandon McReynolds. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.
