Moto-X » Q&A: Carmichael on NASCAR move.

Friday, 13th October 2006

15 times AMA Supercross/Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael surprised the motorsport world on Thursday by announcing that he will start a new career in NASCAR from next season.

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It's 100 grand to win. We're looking forward to it. It's a good chance for us to have fun, not as much pressure, and to also test the new motorcycles. All of us will be riding our '07 models that we'll be racing next year. It's a good, good chance to see how they perform in a race situation.

Of course, it's Vegas, so it's always fun and always something that's happening. It's going to be fun. You know, I'm looking forward to it. Obviously, as some of you guys know, I hurt my shoulder. It's not a hundred percent, but I'm excited to race and looking forward to it.

Q:
Ricky, what is the plan for you? Where are you going to get started? What series are you going to get started in? How does it fit in with your limited schedule in Supercross, Motocross?

Ricky Carmichael:
Right now we're going to do some late-model stuff, whether it be up in Charlotte area or down south in Florida, you know, like New Smyrna and Lakeland and stuff like that. Actually, Jay would be a great person to ask that question. He's the guy. I just do what I'm told.

I believe that's what is going to happen. All depending on my progress in the late model stuff is what dictates how far I can advance forward, when we make the next step.

Q:
How many races are you going to do in motorcycles next year?

Ricky Carmichael:
Well, I know I'm going to do at least 16, at least half the series, half the Supercross series, maybe three-quarters of the Supercross series or half of the outdoor series. I have to do 16 races. That's my plan.

Q:
Jay, what is the plan for Ricky? Where do you see him starting?

Jay Frye:
Well, again, one of the things we don't want to do is we don't want to rush him through this process. And with his motorcycle schedule next year, that kind of helps this process. We'll take it very slow next year, do some late model programs, test him in an ARCA car, maybe from that point enter an ARCA race. At the end of the year, if things are going real well, go to a truck test, truck race type of thing.