“I Don’t Care If I Finish 43rd As Long As Kasey Kahne’s 44th” --Ricky Carmichael
May 18, 2008
Makita Suzuki
Question: So, Ricky Carmichael, what will it be like racing against NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kasey Kahne in Sunday’s U.S. Cellular 200 at Iowa Speedway?
Ricky Carmichael: “I don’t care if I finish 43rd,” Carmichael said, “as long as Kasey Kahne’s 44th.”
Cue the laughter and start the new engine that powers the motocross legend into the NASCAR Camping World Series and, he hopes, up the racing world’s most prominent ladder.
Carmichael, owner of 150 Supercross and Motocross wins in his high-flying two-wheel racing life, went on to explain he was joking and Kahne is a good friend.
But confidence and Carmichael go hand in hand.
The 28-year-old who competes for Ken Schrader Racing finished fifth in his Camping World Series debut at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.
So his racing acumen is well established - whether based in horsepower measured in cubic centimeters or cubic inches.
“The whole transition has been so fun for me,” Carmichael said. “Everyone has really accepted me, it’s been a warm welcome.”
And a warm departure, too.
“It’s a long way for a lot of people to come and, obviously, a lot of sponsors paying to have their logo out there,” Carmichael said. “A lot of pressure.”
