Catchfence

Ricky Carmichael

The 15-time American Motorcyclist Association champion, who made his first foray into NASCAR this year driving for Kevin Harvick Inc., said Thursday he is leaving KHI for the new Turner Motorsports organization, where he’ll compete as a teammate alongside incoming driver James Buescher.

Buescher, who currently competes for Circle Bar Racing in the Truck series, plans to make at least 19 Truck starts for Turner Motorsports – which is debuting at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend – in addition to a full Nationwide Series campaign with Phoenix Racing.

Carmichael isn’t severing all ties with KHI co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick; he’ll be receiving equipment and technical support from KHI in his new endeavor with a fellow Chevrolet team.

Carmichael called his impending move “a great opportunity” and said he remains on good terms with the Harvicks, who will once again field the No. 33 Truck of point leader Ron Hornaday in 2010.

- Scene Daily