# Ricky Carmichael

Richard Joseph Carmichael (born November 27, 1979) is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest riders of all time, Carmichael won 15 AMA Motocross and Supercross championships, including a record-setting 10 AMA Motocross 450cc championships and five AMA Supercross 450cc titles. He holds the record for the most overall motocross wins in AMA history (150 wins) and was twice undefeated in the outdoor motocross series (2002, 2004). He also represented Team USA in the Motocross des Nations three times, contributing to several victories.
After retiring from professional motocross in 2007, Carmichael transitioned to stock car racing, competing in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series between 2008 and 2011. He secured multiple top-ten finishes before returning focus to motocross-related ventures.
Today, Carmichael remains active in the motocross industry, involving himself with track design and commentating on supercross broadcasts. In 2021, he announced his partnership with Triumph Motorcycles in the development of their new offroad line, leading to the debut of the TF 450-RC in 2024.

## Racing career
### Motocross/supercross

After a dominant amateur career, Carmichael made his professional debut in 1997 for the Splitfire Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. In his rookie Supercross effort, he showed promising speed, winning multiple main events. However, crashes and inconsistency ultimately cost him the title of Suzuki's Tim Ferry. Outdoors, Carmichael was more consistent, beating defending champion Steve Lamson for the overall win at round 1, and went on to win the overall 125cc title.
In 1998 Carmichael proved his ability to dominate indoors as well, winning all 8 of the 125cc East coast Supercross rounds, as well as the "East/West Shoot-Out" event. Outdoors, he defended his title comfortably despite early challenges from Lamson, John Dowd, and Mike Brown.
Carmichael jumped to the 250 class for Supercross in 1999 with the Factory Kawasaki team. He had moderate success in the early rounds, including top 5 finishes, but frequent crashes throughout the remainder of the season resulted in a finish outside of the top 10 of the final standings. For the outdoor season, he remained in the 125cc class, which he won handily for a 3rd consecutive year. In 2000, Carmichael moved to the 250 class full-time. He showed more consistency in Supercross, getting his first premier class race win at Daytona. He finished 5th overall in the final standings. Carmichael again displayed his outdoor prowess in the 2000 AMA Motocross championship, winning the title in his rookie year despite challenges from Sebastien Tortelli.
Leading into the 2001 Supercross season, Carmichael showed a newfound commitment to his physical conditioning, bringing on former professional cyclist Aldon Baker to oversee his training regimen. After contests in the early rounds from defending 250 Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath, Carmichael established himself as the new leader of the class, winning 13 of 15 rounds along with the championship. He then continued his streak of outdoor titles as well, fending off challengers Sébastien Tortelli and Kevin Windham.
Carmichael moved to a new manufacturer, Honda, for the 2002 season. Despite a violent crash in round 1 of Supercross, he quickly rebounded and went on to win 11 of 16 rounds, as well his second 250 title over runner-up David Vuillemin. In the 2002 outdoor championship, Carmichael won an unprecedented 24 of 24 motos to take his third consecutive 250 outdoor title.

#### 2003–2007

In 2003, Carmichael won both Supercross and National titles again; winning 7 races indoors where he faced a stiff challenge from Chad Reed. He won the National title again with 9 race wins over Windham.
In 2004, Carmichael was injured for the Supercross season, he had a knee injury (torn ligaments/meniscus) but came back for the Motocross season to record his second perfect season; winning 24 of the 24 motos he raced and all 12 overalls on his Honda CRF 450; his first effort on a 4-stroke bike.
Carmichael entered the 2005 season as the underdog, due to missing the prior season with the knee injury, now as a Suzuki factory rider. In what was projected as "the perfect storm", James "Bubba" Stewart made his debut in the premier 250cc class, along with perennial contenders Chad Reed and Kevin Windham, Carmichael triumphantly regained his Supercross title, with seven victories to Reed's five, Stewart's three, and Windham's one. Later that summer, Carmichael won all 12 events in the 250cc Outdoor National Championship again; winning 22 of 24 motos on an RMZ450. Carmichael also scored the US Open of Supercross title and led Team USA to a convincing victory at the Motocross des Nations.
Carmichael campaigned the 2006 Supercross season aboard an RMZ450; his first attempt at indoor competition on a four-stroke. It was the most exciting series battle in recent memory. There were multiple points lead changes and race winners, and Carmichael, Reed, and Stewart all entered the Las Vegas finale within 5 points of each other. With Carmichael and Reed tied for the lead (316 points), and Stewart (311) only 5 points behind them, it was a close race. Carmichael rode to a safe second-place finish behind Stewart and ended the series with 6 victories and his fifth Supercross championship. He indicated that 2006 would be his last full-time season and planned to retire the following year.
In the 2006 Outdoor National Championship season, Carmichael once again dominated all comers, including James Stewart, in winning 9 races and placing second twice. However, at the season finale at Glen Helen Raceway, Carmichael suffered a bad crash while challenging James Stewart for the win and was unable to finish the race. Carmichael had already clinched the overall championship at the prior round. In the crash, he sustained a shoulder injury and was unable to compete in the Motocross of Nations race in England. Ivan Tedesco replaced him on Team USA and helped lead the American team to victory.
As planned, Carmichael raced only a partial schedule in 2007. He would only race select events for Team Makita Suzuki while pursuing his new stock car career. Carmichael finished with two Supercross wins and six Outdoor National wins, winning every race he entered. Carmichael capped his career with a winning performance at the X-Games and a victory with Team USA at the Motocross of Nations in Budds Creek, Maryland.

#### X Games

Carmichael won the gold in Supercross at the X Games in 2007, won gold in Step Up in 2008, was jointly given the gold medal in the same event in 2009 with Ronnie Renner. In 2019, he won the bronze medal in Real Moto.

### Stock car racing

In 2007, Carmichael signed a driver development contract with Ginn Racing, which would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Under the tutelage of veteran Mark Martin, Carmichael started his transition to stock cars by racing late models throughout the country. With backing from Monster Energy, Carmichael later transitioned to Ken Schrader Racing, and ran a few races in the Camping World East Series, including the prestigious Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. In 2009, Carmichael was tabbed by Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick to drive the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado in 18 races for Harvick's team, Kevin Harvick, Inc. Though the transition wasn't easy, Carmichael finished 22nd in Truck Series points that year. In 2010, Carmichael and Monster left KHI and went to Turner Motorsports, where he would gain 9 top tens en route to finishing 13th in the points. Carmichael also made his Nationwide Series debut at Kansas Speedway, starting 12th and finishing 18th. Carmichael returned to Turner for 2011, and split the No. 30 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series with teammates James Buescher, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler and Mark Martin.
On September 2, 2011, Carmichael achieved his first career pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series.

## Consulting

On July 19, 2021, Carmichael entered into a partnership with Triumph Motorcycles. Along with World Enduro champion Ivan Cervantes, they are tasked with helping develop the prototypes for the new line of off-road motorcycles by Triumph for use in motocross and supercross.

## Sponsors
### Current

* Fox Racing
* Monster Energy (2006–present)
* Triumph Motorcycles (2021–present)

### Past

* Kawasaki motorcycles (1997–2001, 2020–2021)
* Suzuki (2005–2020)
* Honda Racing Corporation (2002–2004)

## Other activities

In 2009, for the BBC show Top Gear, Ken Block took James May out for Gymkhana-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airport; an operational California airport. Carmichael appeared in a supporting role, to which Block described Carmichael as 'a good friend'.
He currently works on AMA Monster Energy SuperMotocross Broadcasts on NBC with Leigh Diffey, Jason Weigandt, James Stewart, Jason Thomas, and Will Christien.

## Awards

He was voted 2009 Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver.
In 2015, he was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

## Motorsports career results
### AMA Motocross / Supercross

| Year | Rnd 1 | Rnd 2 | Rnd 3 | Rnd 4 | Rnd 5 | Rnd 6 | Rnd 7 | Rnd 8 | Rnd 9 | Rnd 10 | Rnd 11 | Rnd 12 | Rnd 13 | Rnd 14 | Rnd 15 | Rnd 16 | Average Finish | Podium Percent | Place |
| 1997 125 SX-E | - | - | - | - | 19 | 1 | 6 | - | - | 1 | 10 | 3 | 1 | - | 18 | - | 7.38 | 50% | 3rd |
| 1997 125 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | - | - | - | 2.46 | 85% | 1st |
| 1998 125 SX-E | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1.00 | 100% | 1st |
| 1998 125 MX | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | - | - | - | - | 2.41 | 75% | 1st |
| 1999 250 SX | 6 | 19 | - | - | - | 4 | 14 | 19 | 4 | - | 18 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 11.58 | - | 16th |
| 1999 125 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1.66 | 92% | 1st |
| 2000 250 SX | 8 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 5.63 | 38% | 5th |
| 2000 250 MX | 1 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 2.01 | 92% | 1st |
| 2001 250 SX | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.19 | 100% | 1st |
| 2001 250 MX | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1.75 | 83% | 1st |
| 2002 250 SX | 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2.63 | 81% | 1st |
| 2002 250 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1.00 | 100% | 1st |
| 2003 250 SX | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.75 | 94% | 1st |
| 2003 250 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1.18 | 100% | 1st |
| 2004 250 SX | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2004 250 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1.00 | 100% | 1st |
| 2005 250 SX | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1.75 | 100% | 1st |
| 2005 250 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1.00 | 100% | 1st |
| 2006 450 SX | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3.19 | 88% | 1st |
| 2006 450 MX | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | DNF | - | - | - | - | 1.18 | 100% | 1st |
| *2007 450 SX | 2 | DNS | DNS | 2 | 1 | DNS | DNS | DNS | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | DNS | DNS | DNS | DNS | 1.71 | 100% | 8th |
| *2007 450 MX | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | DNS | DNS | DNS | 1 | DNS | DNS | DNS | - | - | - | - | 1.00 | 100% | 6th |
* *Ricky retired from full time racing at the end of 2006. In 2007, he raced a partial schedule in both SX and MX as a farewell tour.
Titles
* 1997 AMA 125cc/Lites Outdoor National Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 1998 AMA 125cc/Lites East Coast Supercross Champion (Kawasaki) - Perfect season: 8-0
* 1998 AMA 125cc/Lites Outdoor National Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 1999 AMA 125cc/Lites Outdoor National Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 2000 AMA Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 2001 AMA Supercross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 2001 AMA Motocross Champion (Kawasaki)
* 2002 AMA Supercross Champion (Honda)
* 2002 AMA Motocross Champion (Honda) - Perfect season: 24-0
* 2003 AMA Supercross Champion (Honda)
* 2003 AMA Motocross Champion (Honda)
* 2004 AMA Motocross Champion (Honda) - Perfect season: 24-0
* 2005 AMA Supercross Champion (Suzuki)
* 2005 AMA Motocross Champion (Suzuki)
* 2006 AMA Supercross Champion (Suzuki)
* 2006 AMA Motocross Champion (Suzuki)

#### Wins

* 12 Wins in 125/250 AMA Supercross
* 26 Wins in 125/250 AMA Motocross: 8 (1997), 8 (1998), 9 (1999), 1 (2001),
* 48 Wins in 250/450 AMA Supercross: 1 (2000), 14 (2001), 11 (2002), 7 (2003), 7 (2005), 6 (2006), 2 (2007)
* 76 Wins in 250/450 AMA Motocross: 9 (2000), 7 (2001), 12 (2002), 9 (2003), 12 (2004), 12 (2005), 9 (2006), 6 (2007)
* 162 Wins in AMA SX/MX: 8 (1997), 8 (1998), 9 (1999), 10 (2000), 22 (2001), 23 (2002), 12 (2004), 19 (2005), 15 (2006), 8 (2007)

### Other motocross / supercross

* 2000 Motocross des Nations Champion (Team USA)
* 2001 U.S. Open of Supercross Champion
* 2005 FIM SX1 World Supercross Champion
* 2005 Motocross des Nations Champion (Team USA)
* 2005 U.S. Open of Supercross Champion
* 2007 Motocross of Nations Champion (Team USA)

### NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

#### Nationwide Series

NASCAR Nationwide Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | NNSC | Pts |
| 2010 | Turner Motorsports | 10 | Toyota | DAY | CAL | LVS | BRI | NSH | PHO | TEX | TAL | RCH | DAR | DOV | CLT | NSH | KEN | ROA | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTY | IRP | IOW | GLN | MCH | BRI | CGV | ATL | RCH | DOV | KAN 18 | CAL 31 | CLT | GTY | TEX 35 | PHO 21 | HOM | 84th | 337 |
| 2011 | Turner Motorsports | 30 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | TEX | TAL | NSH | RCH | DAR | DOV | IOW | CLT | CHI | MCH | ROA 9 | DAY 39 | KEN | NHA | NSH | IRP | IOW | GLN | CGV | BRI | ATL | RCH 26 | CHI | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | | | | 113th | 0$^1$ |
| 2011 | Turner Motorsports | 34 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | PHO 15 | HOM | | 113th | 0$^1$ |

#### Camping World Truck Series

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | NCWTC | Pts |
| 2009 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 4 | Chevy | DAY 24 | CAL 8 | ATL 21 | MAR 29 | KAN 23 | CLT | DOV | TEX 11 | MCH 7 | MLW 19 | MEM 14 | KEN 7 | IRP 19 | NSH | BRI | CHI 18 | IOW 13 | GTW 22 | NHA | LVS 22 | MAR | TAL 20 | TEX 12 | | | 22nd | 1978 |
| 2009 | Turner Motorsports | 31 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | PHO 18 | HOM 19 | 22nd | 1978 |
| 2010 | Turner Motorsports | 4 | Chevy | DAY 29 | ATL 6 | MAR 10 | NSH 15 | KAN 12 | DOV 4 | CLT 14 | TEX 20 | MCH 15 | IOW 9 | GTY 29 | IRP 14 | POC 19 | NSH 14 | DAR 24 | BRI 19 | CHI 28 | KEN 5 | NHA 29 | LVS 9 | MAR 9 | TAL 5 | TEX 10 | PHO 27 | HOM 21 | 13th | 2925 |
| 2011 | Turner Motorsports | 4 | Chevy | DAY 8 | PHO 31 | DAR 30 | MAR 8 | NSH 14 | DOV 29 | CLT 12 | KAN 21 | TEX 6 | KEN 13 | IOW 27 | NSH 16 | IRP 19 | POC 20 | MCH 12 | BRI 29 | ATL 8 | CHI 25 | NHA 19 | KEN 6 | LVS 12 | TAL 4 | MAR 35 | TEX 8 | HOM 17 | 16th | 675 |

#### Camping World East Series

NASCAR Camping World East Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | NCWEC | Pts | Ref |
| 2008 | Ken Schrader Racing | 4 | Chevy | GRE 5 | IOW 14 | SBO 26 | GLN 9 | NHA 5 | TMP 17 | MCM 4 | ADI 6 | | MFD 8 | NHA 16 | DOV 7 | STA 10 | 6th | 1745 | |
| 2008 | Ken Schrader Racing | 4 | Dodge | | | | | | | | | LRP 12 | | | | | | | | 6th | 1745 |

### ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Racing Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | ARSC | Pts |
| 2008 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 33 | Chevy | DAY | SLM | IOW | KAN | CAR | KEN | TOL | POC | MCH | CAY | KEN | BLN | POC | NSH | ISF | DSF | CHI | SLM | NJE | TAL 30 | TOL | 139th | 80 |
| 2009 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 33 | Chevy | DAY 21 | SLM | CAR 17 | TAL | KEN | TOL | POC | MCH | MFD | IOW | KEN | BLN | POC | ISF | CHI | TOL | DSF | NJE | SLM | KAN | CAR | 85th | 270 |
| 2010 | Turner Motorsports | 4 | Toyota | DAY 7 | PBE | SLM | TEX 25 | TAL 31 | TOL | POC | MCH | IOW | MFD | POC | BLN | NJE | ISF | CHI | DSF | TOL | SLM | KAN | CAR | | 60th | 375 |
| 2011 | Turner Motorsports | 4 | Chevy | DAY 4 | TAL | SLM | TOL | NJE | CHI | POC | MCH | WIN | BLN | IOW | IRP | POC | ISF | MAD | DSF | SLM | KAN | TOL | | | 88th | 210 |

### X Games competition history

GOLD (3) SILVER (0) BRONZE (2) :
| YEAR | X GAMES | EVENTS | RANK |
| 2007 | Summer X Games XIII | Moto X Racing | 1st |
| 2008 | Summer X Games XIV | Moto X Step Up | 1st |
| 2009 | Summer X Games XV | Moto X Best Whip | 3rd |
| 2009 | Summer X Games XV | Moto X Step Up | 1st |
| 2019 | Example World of X Real Moto 2019 | MTX Real Moto | 3rd |