The race is still two weeks away, but construction has already started on the course that will challenge the best Supercross riders in the world at the 39th edition of the Daytona Supercross. Ricky Carmichael designed this year”s course and he spoke with us about the track, truck racing and motocross.Located in the infield of the historic Daytona International Speedway, this year’s course, like last year’s, was designed by five-time Daytona Supercross winner Ricky Carmichael. Interestingly enough, Carmichael competed at Daytona just last Friday, finishing 24th in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at the NextEra Energy Resources 250, running the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado for the KHI All-Star Team.Carmichael is in California this weekend, getting ready for a NASCAR race at Fontana Raceway. We spoke with him as he was getting ready for practice. He spoke about his finish in the NASCAR Truck race and about his future with motorcycle racing.
How did the truck race go for you at Daytona?
It went pretty good. It was a long 10 days down there and we had a lot of things we had to do. I had to do the ARCA race in order to get approved to race the truck race at Daytona. So things started off a week early. We didn’t get the finish we were looking for, but in restrictor-plate racing on the Super Speedways, it’s so easy to be a victim of circumstance. So we didn’t get the results we wanted but we learned a lot and we’re pretty happy for the most part.
How did you feel racing again at Daytona after so much success at the track on motorcycles?
It was pretty neat, actually, to be there doing something other than racing a motorcycle. In 2007, when I was there racing Supercross, I knew there was a chance I might race there in a stock car someday and it was pretty neat that it ended up being a dream come true. It was pretty cool. That place has a lot of history and it has its own character when it comes to motorcycle racing and I can tell you it’s exactly the same in a stock car.
How has the transition from cars to trucks been and do you like the trucks?
I do like the trucks, but I don’t have a lot of time in them. And it’s different than the cars. There’s a lot more down force than in a car and more drag and a little more side-force. It’s pretty hard-core racing and you have to really fight for yourself. A lot of these guys have been doing this a long time and there’s a lot more taking than giving. It’s definitely hard-nosed racing, for sure.
Are you pleased with where you’re at in your NASCAR career?
Absolutely, naturally the hardest thing to swallow is being taken out by other people’s problems. But we knew that was a possibility going in. But I feel I’ve met the goals of my boss and I’m going to keep trying to do that. I have my personal goals, and I know I won a lot in motocross, but it would be pretty shallow of me to think I could come in here and do that in car racing. I’m racing against guys that have a lot of experience and it would be disrespectful to them to think I could come in here and do that. And it’s really not possible. There’s a lot more that goes into it than just twisting the throttle. Your truck has to be set up good and everything has to be working right.
You designed this year’s course for the Daytona Supercross; what can we expect to see?
Well, I’ll tell you it’s going to be a good track, but obviously it was going to be good last year, too, but it rained and it didn’t turn out good.
Are you still under contract with Suzuki?
Yes, I’m under contract with them through ’09, and we would love to continue the relationship. I’m gonna be in motocross racing forever. Motocross and Supercross have obviously given me a lot of things and it has provided a great life for me. I love it and I like some of the people in the industry and I love the fans. I have a lot of fans and I am very thankful for that, so I’ll be around the sport forever. I just got an opportunity to do this stuff in NASCAR and I really want everyone to know I haven’t forgot where I came from and hopefully, while I do this I can draw attention to the great sport of motocross.
What are you actually doing with Suzuki?
I’m doing a little bit of Supercross testing, but now that they’ve got Chad Reed, and since he’s been riding a lot, they’ve been able to use him a lot. But I’m still helping when I can; I’m always available if they need me. Also, I’ve been helping Dungey out and if I’m at a Supercross or anywhere where I can help I’d be willing to help Reed too.