Catchfence

Mooresville, N.C. – Turner Motorsports announced today that one of its drivers, Ricky Carmichael, will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the No. 10 Monster Energy car at Kansas Speedway.

Carmichael, a 15-time AMA Champion and current full-time driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will have long-time sponsor, Monster Energy Drink, on the hood of his car as part of Turner Motorsports’ acquisition of Braun Racing. Additionally, Carmichael is set to compete in the Nationwide Series races at Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Team owner, Steve Turner, considers Carmichael’s entry into the Nationwide Series to be a natural progression for the young driver.

“Running a few races in the Nationwide Series this year was something we’ve been thinking about since we started the team,” Turner said. “Our first priority for Ricky was in the Truck Series and making sure he had the equipment he needed to succeed. He’s shown a great deal of improvement this year and we wanted to take this opportunity to give him a chance to grow in his career.”

Moving forward, Carmichael plans to run full time in the Truck Series in 2011 and a partial Nationwide Series schedule with approximately seven races.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity that Steve and Monster have given me to step up to the Nationwide Series,” Carmichael said. “Just in my first full year of competition in the Truck Series, I feel like we’ve really made a lot of improvement. Monster Energy has been a great sponsor for of mine for many years – I’m very fortunate that they came with me from two wheels to four – and I’m looking forward to finding further success with them on the hood.”

About Turner Motorsports:

Turner Motorsports, LLC, was established in 1999 by Texas natives, Steve and Sandra Turner. One of the fastest growing racing operations in the industry, Turner Motorsports fields four teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with an all-star driver lineup that includes Kahne, Brian Vickers, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, David Reutimann, Jacques Villeneuve and Tayler Malsam. Additionally, the team fields two entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series that are piloted by James Buescher and Ricky Carmichael. They also have a presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, with Carmichael running a partial schedule and the USARacing Pro Cup Series with driver, Logan Ruffin running a full schedule. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners includes Monster Energy Drink, Great Clips, Dollar General, Wolfpack Rentals, AccuDoc Solutions, Fraternal Order of Eagles, ABF, Iron Horse Jeans, Bigspot.com, Northeastern Supply, SEM and Safety-Kleen.

- Turner Motorsports Press Release