WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS IS ALWAYS MEMORABLE: Ricky Carmichael is no stranger to the bright lights, glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. In the history of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), no other rider has won as many championships (15) and races (150) as Carmichael. He was able to finalize his last Supercross title in “sin city” and recorded three US Open titles at one of Las Vegas’ biggest venues the MGM Grand.
“Las Vegas has been very special to me in my Supercross career,” Carmichael said. “I have always liked coming out to Vegas because of my racing history there. I have been very successful in that city. I was able to win three US Open titles at the MGM Grand and wrap up the 2006 Supercross title there. I have a lot of good memories.”
TOP DOG: Of the 13 Truck Series events Carmichael has competed in this season, he has spent 959 of 2143 laps running in the top-15. That is nearly 50 percent race event spent running 15th or better, which ranks third among rookies this season.
PICKING SPOTS: One major learning curve Carmichael has been focused on during the 2009 Truck Series season is learning where and how to pass. Carmichael’s spotter, veteran driver Andy Houston, is on the radio week in and week out coaching Carmichael and helping him find a line for his truck. Thus far in 2009, Carmichael has completed 284 pass, 156 of those through the turns and 126 down the straight-a-ways.
BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER RICKY CARMICHAEL:
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GOING TO LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY?
“I have actually never been to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I have heard from everyone I have talked with in the garage area that it is a really fun and fast place to run. I’m excited to be able to try my hand at it. I really want to be able to learn the track quickly. I think we have run quite a few venues similar to it this season and I hope to have a good base for it. As always my goal is to walk out of there with a top-10 finish.”
WHEN YOU ARE IN LAS VEGAS DO YOU EVER GET A CHANCE TO RELAX OR IS IT ALL WORK ALL THE TIME?
“Oh yeah, I would say when we go to Las Vegas it is 15 percent play and 85 percent work. I enjoy catching some shows and laying pool side. I am a really big fan of the Winn. We like to go down there and hang out.”
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 4 Monster Energy team will take chassis No.028 to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The last time chassis No. 028 took to the track was at Chicagoland Speedway with Carmichael behind the wheel. The No. 4 Monster Energy team recorded an 18th-place finish at Chicago.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Last week J.R. Fitzpatrick made his New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) debut behind the wheel of the No. 4 KHI entry. Fitzpatrick experienced trouble early on in the first practice session, hitting the wall and forcing the No. 4 team to pull out the back-up truck. Qualifying in the 24th position, Fitzpatrick’s goal was survival. Fitzpatrick stayed out of trouble and was able to come away from NHMS with an 18th-place finish.
ONLINE MEDIA KITS: Media members can now access KHI media kits online at KevinHarvickInc.com. Included on the site are driver bios, driver and team images, KHI history and statistics, team profiles and schedules. Please contact Jessica Stroupe (JStroupe@kevinharvickinc.com) or Alicia Deal (ADeal@kevinharvickinc.com) at KHI for access to the new site.
About Monster Energy
Monster Energy supports the sport, no matter how radical or extreme. Be it Ricky Carmichael’s high-speed, high-banked NASCAR racing program, supercross, rally, insane distance jumping, motocross, MotoGP, roadracing, supermoto, off-road, freestyle motocross, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX – the list goes on – the athletes that participate in these unique forms of athleticism are sparked by Monster Energy. Available in Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line (supercharged with our Monster Energy blend), as well as the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot, there’s something for everyone. Wherever they go, Monster Energy beverages power the Monster Army of athletes. Be sure to check out their never-ending series of adventures at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com.
ABOUT KEVIN HARVICK INC.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams, including the 2007 series champions. The No. 33 team is led by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and the No. 4 KHI All-Stars team is comprised of Ricky Carmichael, the most successful motocross racer in American history, J.R. Fitzpatrick and a variety of NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Nationwide Series team competing full-time with drivers Kevin Harvick (a two-time Nationwide Series champion), 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman, Ron Hornaday, Cale Gale and Kelly Bires. The 2009 season marks KHI’s sixth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.
QUICK NOTES
Race Info
September 26, 2009
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Qwik Liner Las Vegas 200
Race length: 146 Laps/ 219 Miles
Banking/Turns: 10-degrees turns; 9-degree straight-a-ways
Track layout: 1.5-mile
Shape: D-shaped oval
Pre-Race Schedule
Saturday:
Practice: 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m., EST
Final Practice: 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., EST
Qualifying: 6:30 p.m., EST
TV: The Qwik Liner Las Vegas 200 can be seen on SPEED at 9:00 p.m., EST
Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast live at 9:00 p.m., EST
No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado Specs:
Chassis: 028
Engine: PME
Ricky Carmichael
No. 4 Monster Energy Truck
KHI All-Star team
NASCAR Truck Series
Remaining Scheduled Starts:
October 24 Martinsville
October 31 Talladega