Ricky Carmichael's U.S. Open Press Conference

If you caught the webcast on SupercrossOnline.com, you know that Ricky Carmichael has signed a multi-year deal with MB2 Motorsports to begin work on a career in stock car racing.

Kent Atherton, President of Ginn Sports Entertainment, introduced Ricky Carmichael as the newest member of the MB2 Motorsports race team, and during the press conferentce at the MGM Grant Garden arena, he and Ricky outlined a development schedule that includes racing Late Model cars, and possible additional steps through the ranks, including ARCA series events, Craftsman Trucks, and Busch Series races, all with an eye on reaching NASCAR's premier series, the Nextel Cup.

MB2 currently sponsors veterans Joe Nemechek in the number 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, and Sterling Marlin in the number 14 Waste Management-sponsored Chevrolet. They recently signed another veteran, Mark Martin, and has plans to run three Nextel Cup teams in '07.

Ricky explained, "This is a dream of mine and a fantastic challenge. The times that I've tested…it's very hard, but it's something that I think I can do. I'm just going in there with the attitude that I have a great opportunity to do it, I'm going to make the best of it."

RC's schedule includes 15 races in '07, 25-30 in '08, and a full schedule for the following season.

Kent commented, "There's really no better time to bring Ricky to our team. We have three veteran drivers, with the signing of Mark Martin last week. He wants to continue to race in Cup, but he's a great mentor and he's excited about Ricky coming on board and having a chance to be a teacher as well."

"It's rare to find that kind of athlete who continues to strive to do his best, even after all that success."

According to Kent, "(Ricky) has tested extremely well against some veteran drivers. We are going to bring him up slowly. We want to do the right thing, and give Ricky the time and the coaching, and every opportunity to succeed."

 Here's a link to a photo gallery from the conference.