Ricky Carmichael
Encyclopedia
Ricky Carmichael is a racer known for his success in Motocross
. He is currently competing in NASCAR
. He drives the #4 Monster Energy
Chevrolet Silverado
for Turner Motorsports
in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala
part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. His unrivaled successes in the sport of Motocross have given him the nickname "The GOAT"; standing for Greatest of All Time.
team in 1997. He was fast but erratic in Supercross; winning several main events. Crashes and inconsistency cost him the title to Suzuki's Tim Ferry
. Outdoors, Carmichael was much more in his element, and he beat defending champion Steve Lamson for the win at the first round. Carmichael was very dominant and won the overall title in his rookie year.
He more than made amends for his rookie-season loss in Supercross by winning all 8 main events of the 1998 125cc East Region. He won the East/West shootout as well. Outdoors, he defended his title easily despite early challenges from Lamson, John Dowd
, and Mike Brown
.
Carmichael jumped to the 250 class for Supercross in 1999 with the Factory Kawasaki team. It started off reasonably well with some top 5 finishes, but Carmichael had a violent crash in the early rounds and was forced to take time off. The rest of the year was filled with crashes and disappointing results and Carmichael failed to finish in the top 10 overall. He raced 125 outdoors once again with Pro Circuit, and again dominated that series for his third title in a row.
In 2000, Carmichael jumped to the 250 class full-time. He was much more consistent this year with regular top 5 finishes, including his first win at Daytona
. He finished his 5th overall behind eventual champion Jeremy McGrath
; the latter's final title. Outdoors, Carmichael had no such trouble adapting the bigger bike and was the class of the field. He had some close battles with Sebastien Tortelli
, but ended up winning the 250 National Championship in his first try.
By 2001, Carmichael had showed a new commitment to his fitness and preparation. After some early series battles with McGrath, Carmichael took a chokehold of the points lead and won 13 out of 15 Supercross races as well as the championship. After another battle with Tortelli and Kevin Windham
outdoors, Carmichael won that title again as well. He had truly dominated the competition.
Carmichael switched to Honda for 2002. He suffered a horrendous endo at round one of Supercross; earning no points. He mounted a furious comeback by winning 11 races from 16 and the title over David Vuillemin
.
Ricky accomplished something that year previously thought impossible. He won all 24 motos of the 2002 National season. There were a few close races, but Carmichael handily struck down every challenge.
In 2003, Carmichael won both Supercross and National titles again; winning 7 races indoors where he faced a stiff challenge from Chad Reed
. He won the National title again with a 9 race wins over Windham.
In 2004, Carmichael was injured for the Supercross season, he had a knee injury (torn ligaments/meniscus) but came back for the Motocross season to record his second perfect season; winning 24 of the 24 motos he raced and all 12 overalls on his Honda CRF450; his first effort on a 4-stroke bike.
Carmichael entered the 2005 season as the underdog (due to missing the prior season with the knee injury). In what was projected as "the perfect storm", James "Bubba" Stewart
made his debut in the premier 250cc class, along with perennial contenders Chad Reed and Kevin Windham
, Carmichael triumphantly regained his Supercross title, with seven victories to Reed's five, Stewart's three, and Windham's one. Later that summer, Carmichael won all 12 events in the 250cc Outdoor National Championship again; winning 22 of 24 motos on an RMZ450. Carmichael also scored the US Open of Supercross title and led Team USA to a convincing victory at the Motocross Des Nations.
Carmichael campaigned the 2006 Supercross season aboard an RMZ450; his first attempt at indoor competition on a four-stroke. It was the most exciting series battle in recent memory. There were multiple points lead changes and race winners, and Carmichael, Reed, and Stewart all entered the Las Vegas finale within 5 points of each other. With Carmichael and Reed tied for the lead, and Stewart only 1 point behind them, it was a close race. Carmichael rode to a safe second place finish behind Stewart and ended the series with 6 victories and his fifth Supercross championship. He indicated that 2006 would be his last full-time season and planned to retire the following year. In the 2006 Outdoor National Championship season, Carmichael once again dominated all comers, including James Stewart, in winning 9 races and placing second twice. However, at the season finale at Glen Helen Raceway, Carmichael suffered a terrible crash while challenging James Stewart for the win and was unable to finish the race. Fortunately though, Carmichael had already clinched the overall championship at the prior round. In the crash, he sustained a shoulder injury and was unable to compete in the Motocross of Nations race in England. Ivan Tedesco
replaced him on Team USA and helped lead the American team to victory.
As planned, Carmichael raced only a partial schedule in 2007. He would only race select events for Team Makita Suzuki while pursuing his new stock car career. Again, Carmichael continued to amaze and looked faster than ever, with three Supercross wins and six Outdoor National Championship wins; winning every race he entered. Carmichael capped his career with a winning performance at the X-Games and a victory with Team USA at the Motocross of Nations in Budds Creek, Maryland. As of today, he is arguably one of the few "winningest" riders of all time.
contract with Ginn Racing, which would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Under the tutelage of veteran Mark Martin
, Carmichael started his transition to stock cars by racing late models throughout the country. With backing from Monster Energy
, Carmichael later transitioned to Ken Schrader Racing
, and ran a few races in the Camping World East Series, including the prestigious Toyota All-Star Showdown
at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. In 2009, Carmichael was tabbed by Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick
to drive the #4 Chevrolet in 18 races for Harvick's team, Kevin Harvick, Inc.
Though the transition wasn't easy, Carmichael finished 22nd in Truck Series points that year. In 2010, Carmichael and Monster left KHI and went to Turner Motorsports, where he would gain 9 top tens en route to finishing 13th in the points. Carmichael also made his Nationwide Series debut at Kansas Speedway
, starting 12th and finishing 18th. Carmichael will return to Turner for 2011, and will now share the #30 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series with teammates James Buescher, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, and Mark Martin.
On September 2, 2011, Carmichael achieved his first career pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway
in the Camping World Truck Series.
show Top Gear, Ken Block
took James May
out for Gymkhana
-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airport
; an operational California airport. Carmichael appeared in a supporting role, to which Ken described Ricky as 'a good friend'.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
. He is currently competing in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. He drives the #4 Monster Energy
Monster Energy
-Distribution :Though it is not widely advertised in the media, Monster receives a large amount of recognition from its sponsorship of various sporting events, including motocross and car racing. Hansen Natural Corporation announced a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. and Grupo...
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado , is the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors.-History:...
for Turner Motorsports
Turner Motorsports (NASCAR)
Turner Motorsports, LLC is a NASCAR racing team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. The team currently fields cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series...
in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. His unrivaled successes in the sport of Motocross have given him the nickname "The GOAT"; standing for Greatest of All Time.
Motocross career
After a dominant amateur career, Carmichael made his pro debut for the (Split fire Pro Circuit) KawasakiKawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
team in 1997. He was fast but erratic in Supercross; winning several main events. Crashes and inconsistency cost him the title to Suzuki's Tim Ferry
Tim Ferry
Tim Ferry is a professional kawasaki rider Supercross and Motocross racer born in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 18, 1975. Ferry began his amateur career with Team Green throughout the 80's and early 90's. He turned pro in 1992 and won the 125 East Coast Championship in 1997 riding for Suzuki....
. Outdoors, Carmichael was much more in his element, and he beat defending champion Steve Lamson for the win at the first round. Carmichael was very dominant and won the overall title in his rookie year.
He more than made amends for his rookie-season loss in Supercross by winning all 8 main events of the 1998 125cc East Region. He won the East/West shootout as well. Outdoors, he defended his title easily despite early challenges from Lamson, John Dowd
John Dowd (motocross)
John Dowd is a professional motocross racer from Chicopee, Massachusetts. Otherwise known as "The Junk Yard Dog." John Dowd entered his first motocross race at age 20, considered old if you wish to carve out a career in the very competitive sport. John Dowd took to the demanding sport incredibly...
, and Mike Brown
Mike Brown (motorcyclist)
Mike Brown is an American former AMA motocross national champion.Brown won his first professional race in 1994. In 1999, he finished third in the F.I.M. 125cc world championship. He followed that performance with another third place in the 2000 125cc world championship.Brown competed in the United...
.
Carmichael jumped to the 250 class for Supercross in 1999 with the Factory Kawasaki team. It started off reasonably well with some top 5 finishes, but Carmichael had a violent crash in the early rounds and was forced to take time off. The rest of the year was filled with crashes and disappointing results and Carmichael failed to finish in the top 10 overall. He raced 125 outdoors once again with Pro Circuit, and again dominated that series for his third title in a row.
In 2000, Carmichael jumped to the 250 class full-time. He was much more consistent this year with regular top 5 finishes, including his first win at Daytona
Daytona
Daytona may refer to:* Daytona Beach, Florida* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida* South Daytona, Florida-Motor racing:* Daytona Beach Road Course* Daytona International Speedway, a NASCAR speedway, which hosts:** the Daytona 500 NASCAR race...
. He finished his 5th overall behind eventual champion Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath is one of the most popular American Motocross/Supercross champions in the history of the sport. He was most active in the 1990s earning the title the "King of Supercross." His tricks during jumps on the supercross track, the most famous of which he called the "Nac Nac", helped spawn...
; the latter's final title. Outdoors, Carmichael had no such trouble adapting the bigger bike and was the class of the field. He had some close battles with Sebastien Tortelli
Sebastien Tortelli
Sebastien Tortelli is a two-time World Champion motocross racer. A longtime factory-sponsored rider, Tortelli has been a top ranked rider in both AMA National and Supercross competition, as well as the European-based Motocross Grand Prix World Championships.-Early European success:During his early...
, but ended up winning the 250 National Championship in his first try.
By 2001, Carmichael had showed a new commitment to his fitness and preparation. After some early series battles with McGrath, Carmichael took a chokehold of the points lead and won 13 out of 15 Supercross races as well as the championship. After another battle with Tortelli and Kevin Windham
Kevin Windham
Kevin Windham , is a professional motocross racer from Centreville, Mississippi. At 17 he received a full factory ride from Team Yamaha...
outdoors, Carmichael won that title again as well. He had truly dominated the competition.
Carmichael switched to Honda for 2002. He suffered a horrendous endo at round one of Supercross; earning no points. He mounted a furious comeback by winning 11 races from 16 and the title over David Vuillemin
David Vuillemin
David Vuillemin is a French professional motocross rider born on 18 October 1977 in Berre-l'Étang, Bouches-du-Rhône.- Amateur career :Vuillemin started racing at age 8 and was coached by his father Didier, himself a former professional rider. David had much success as an amateur and won many titles...
.
Ricky accomplished something that year previously thought impossible. He won all 24 motos of the 2002 National season. There were a few close races, but Carmichael handily struck down every challenge.
In 2003, Carmichael won both Supercross and National titles again; winning 7 races indoors where he faced a stiff challenge from Chad Reed
Chad Reed
Chad Mark Reed AM is an Australian motocross and supercross racer. He is a multi-time supercross and motocross champion. He was taught from a young age as being capable of competing at the sports most elite level. He has proven to be the most consistent supercross/motocross racer in the 2000-2009...
. He won the National title again with a 9 race wins over Windham.
In 2004, Carmichael was injured for the Supercross season, he had a knee injury (torn ligaments/meniscus) but came back for the Motocross season to record his second perfect season; winning 24 of the 24 motos he raced and all 12 overalls on his Honda CRF450; his first effort on a 4-stroke bike.
Carmichael entered the 2005 season as the underdog (due to missing the prior season with the knee injury). In what was projected as "the perfect storm", James "Bubba" Stewart
James Stewart Jr.
James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart is an American professional motocross racer competing in supercross. He is known for being the first African-American to have success at the very top level of any major motorsports association.-Amateur and Lites Class:Stewart was born in Bartow,...
made his debut in the premier 250cc class, along with perennial contenders Chad Reed and Kevin Windham
Kevin Windham
Kevin Windham , is a professional motocross racer from Centreville, Mississippi. At 17 he received a full factory ride from Team Yamaha...
, Carmichael triumphantly regained his Supercross title, with seven victories to Reed's five, Stewart's three, and Windham's one. Later that summer, Carmichael won all 12 events in the 250cc Outdoor National Championship again; winning 22 of 24 motos on an RMZ450. Carmichael also scored the US Open of Supercross title and led Team USA to a convincing victory at the Motocross Des Nations.
Carmichael campaigned the 2006 Supercross season aboard an RMZ450; his first attempt at indoor competition on a four-stroke. It was the most exciting series battle in recent memory. There were multiple points lead changes and race winners, and Carmichael, Reed, and Stewart all entered the Las Vegas finale within 5 points of each other. With Carmichael and Reed tied for the lead, and Stewart only 1 point behind them, it was a close race. Carmichael rode to a safe second place finish behind Stewart and ended the series with 6 victories and his fifth Supercross championship. He indicated that 2006 would be his last full-time season and planned to retire the following year. In the 2006 Outdoor National Championship season, Carmichael once again dominated all comers, including James Stewart, in winning 9 races and placing second twice. However, at the season finale at Glen Helen Raceway, Carmichael suffered a terrible crash while challenging James Stewart for the win and was unable to finish the race. Fortunately though, Carmichael had already clinched the overall championship at the prior round. In the crash, he sustained a shoulder injury and was unable to compete in the Motocross of Nations race in England. Ivan Tedesco
Ivan Tedesco
Ivan Lee Tedesco is an American born motocross and supercross motorcycle rider. He is nicknamed "Hot Sauce", and he races on a number 9 bike.- Biography :...
replaced him on Team USA and helped lead the American team to victory.
As planned, Carmichael raced only a partial schedule in 2007. He would only race select events for Team Makita Suzuki while pursuing his new stock car career. Again, Carmichael continued to amaze and looked faster than ever, with three Supercross wins and six Outdoor National Championship wins; winning every race he entered. Carmichael capped his career with a winning performance at the X-Games and a victory with Team USA at the Motocross of Nations in Budds Creek, Maryland. As of today, he is arguably one of the few "winningest" riders of all time.
Stock Car transition
In 2007, Carmichael signed a driver developmentDriver development program
A Driver development program is a program used by racing teams to develop younger drivers. It is widely used in both Formula One and NASCAR, usually consisting of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions A Driver development program is a...
contract with Ginn Racing, which would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was a NASCAR-related organization located in Mooresville, North Carolina, United States working to continue the legacy of Dale Earnhardt. It was originally formed in 1980 by seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt who died in a crash on the closing lap of the 2001...
Under the tutelage of veteran Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
, Carmichael started his transition to stock cars by racing late models throughout the country. With backing from Monster Energy
Monster Energy
-Distribution :Though it is not widely advertised in the media, Monster receives a large amount of recognition from its sponsorship of various sporting events, including motocross and car racing. Hansen Natural Corporation announced a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. and Grupo...
, Carmichael later transitioned to Ken Schrader Racing
Ken Schrader Racing
Ken Schrader Racing is a NASCAR team and licensing agent for racer Ken Schrader, who owns and drives for the team. It currently competes in the NASCAR Nationwide, Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Camping World West Series.- Beginnings :...
, and ran a few races in the Camping World East Series, including the prestigious Toyota All-Star Showdown
Toyota All-Star Showdown
The Toyota All-Star Showdown is a nonpoints, all-star race that brings together the top drivers in NASCAR's lower-level series.It was inaugurated in 2003, and all six events so far have been held at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in suburban Los Angeles...
at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. In 2009, Carmichael was tabbed by Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
to drive the #4 Chevrolet in 18 races for Harvick's team, Kevin Harvick, Inc.
Kevin Harvick Incorporated
Kevin Harvick Incorporated was a NASCAR team owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, who herself is the daughter of a former Busch Series driver, John Linville...
Though the transition wasn't easy, Carmichael finished 22nd in Truck Series points that year. In 2010, Carmichael and Monster left KHI and went to Turner Motorsports, where he would gain 9 top tens en route to finishing 13th in the points. Carmichael also made his Nationwide Series debut at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
, starting 12th and finishing 18th. Carmichael will return to Turner for 2011, and will now share the #30 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series with teammates James Buescher, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, and Mark Martin.
On September 2, 2011, Carmichael achieved his first career pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
in the Camping World Truck Series.
Other activities
In 2009, for the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
show Top Gear, Ken Block
Ken Block
Ken Block is a songwriter, guitarist and lead singer of the rock band Sister Hazel. Ken plays acoustic guitar. He also helped produce the band's first CD in 1994. His debut solo effort Drift was released on December 9, 2008....
took James May
James May
James Daniel May is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. He is best known for his role as co-presenter of the award-winning motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond....
out for Gymkhana
Gymkhana (motorsport)
Gymkhana is a type of motorsport practiced in an increasing number of countries. Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are often very complex and memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time....
-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airport
Inyokern Airport
Inyokern Airport is a public airport located in Inyokern, California, United States, serving the Indian Wells Valley area of Kern County. It is owned by the Indian Wells Valley Airport District...
; an operational California airport. Carmichael appeared in a supporting role, to which Ken described Ricky as 'a good friend'.
External links
- http://www.rickycarmichael.com/
- Ricky Carmichael Motocross.com Profile
- http://www.rickycarmichael.com/