KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (February 2, 2009) – Ricky Carmichael will drive the Monster Energy No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet in Saturday’s season-opening Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Carmichael, a 29-year-old resident of Clearwater, Fla., is slated to make his second career ARCA start for KHI after racing last season at Talladega, Ala.

UPDATE: LISTEN TO KERRY’S INTERVIEW WITH RICKY

In addition to the ARCA start, Carmichael and Monster Energy have teamed with KHI to race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) during the 2009 season. Carmichael, 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.

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.”

“I’m not a stranger to Daytona,” explained Carmichael, who won five Supercross races at Daytona International Speedway during his two-wheeled career. “To have had so much success at this place means a lot to me. There are just places you love to go. I’m a native of Florida and it’s a really special and powerful feeling every time I come to Daytona.

“Because I ran the (ARCA) Talladega race for KHI last year, I feel like I have a good idea of what to expect at Daytona in the draft. Until we blew a tire (on lap 49), we ran in the top-five easily and it was almost like I was learning something new every lap. I think I can take what I learned last year and apply it to the race this weekend. The goal is not only to do well, but to gain more seat time and experience for my Truck Series debut the following week.”

The No. 33 KHI team is led by crew chief Billy Wilburn, a veteran of many years in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.