Carmichael and Monster team up for 2010 Truck Series and ARCA events
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 27, 2010) – Continuing to show support to a remarkable athlete that over the years has done more to elevate the Monster Energy brand in the world of action and motorsports than any other, the Monster “M” claw will grace the green and black No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado of Ricky Carmichael in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Joining forces with Turner Motorsports, LLC, Carmichael will compete in the entire 25 race NCWTS.
In the history of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), no other rider has won as many championships (15) and races (150) as Carmichael, earning him the nickname the Greatest of All-Time (the GOAT). He was also a record five-time AMA “Rider of the Year.”
The 30-year-old Clearwater, Florida native competed in 16 NCWTS races last season for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) scoring two top-10 finishes before moving over to Turner Motorsports for the final two Truck Series races of the year, where he drove the No. 31 Chevrolet. He also piloted a KHI entry in two ARCA Racing Series presented by REMAX and Menards races in 2009.
Carmichael will wheel the Monster Energy sponsored truck in all 25 NCWTS events. In addition he will steer a Monster Energy Chevrolet in nine ARCA races, beginning with the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“Monster has been a sponsor of mine for five years,” said Carmichael. “So it’s really an honor for them to continue to expand their motorsports efforts with me. I learned so much as a driver working with Kevin (Harvick) last year. He encouraged me to make the jump to Turner Motorsports because of the number of races I was going to be able to compete in. I know seat time is the key for me becoming a successful driver. Last season was a great year for me, but I am really looking forward this season.”
“We’re quite pleased to be back in NASCAR and supporting Ricky in 2010,” said Nick Gagliardi, Monster Beverage COO. “Ricky has been instrumental in making Monster Energy the No. 1 energy drink in America, and as we help him to reach his goals in racing, he’s going to help us in the marketplace with an entirely new sales and marketing program we’ve structured around him.”
Mike Fritts, who served as Carmichael’s crew chief in his first stock car endeavor in 2007, will again assume the role as crew chief for the 2010 season. The No. 4 Monster Energy team is locked in for the first five races of the season based on last season’s championship points.
For more information on Turner Motorsports or Ricky Carmichael visit RickyCarmichael.com andTeamTurnerMotorsports.com.