Press Release | January 21, 2009
The following is Kevin Harvick Inc… Monster Energy has signed with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) to sponsor Ricky Carmichael in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) during the 2009 season. Carmichael, a 29-year-old native of Clearwater, Fla., and the most successful motocross racer in history, will drive the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado for the KHI All-Star Team in at least 14 truck events and also pilot a Monster Energy Chevrolet in the season-opening Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race at Daytona. 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). Carmichael was a record five-time AMA “Rider of the Year.” The driver lineup and sponsors for the KHI All-Star Team for the 11 remaining Camping World Series races will be announced later and will include NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. “Monster has been a sponsor of mine since 2005,” said Carmichael, “so it’s really an honor to bring them into the Truck Series with me and KHI. 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.” “I like the fact he has the determination and the drive to have won multiple motocross championships,” said Daytona 500 champion, Kevin Harvick. “I believe he will put the same effort toward his stock car career. He knows how to race and he takes care of his equipment. Every time I’ve seen him race, he has shown great promise.” The No. 4 team, led by recently hired crew chief Bill Wilburn, will assume the ninth-place owners points from the No. 2 KHI truck from 2008. The No. 2 team scored its maiden victory at Atlanta with Ryan Newman last October, then won again with team co-owner Kevin Harvick at Phoenix in November. Carmichael raced the number 4 from his first-ever motorcycle race through his retirement from two-wheeled racing in 2007.