No. 32 AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet Silverado (Photo Credit: CIA Photo)

Waking Up in Vegas… This weekend will mark Blake Feese’s first visit to Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) competitor is looking to continue his solid run this season, which includes a career high fourth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway and an average finish of 14.6.

007… The No. 32 AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet Silverado team will unload chassis TMS-007 for Saturday afternoon’s 146-lap event. This chassis last saw track action at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Feese brought home a fourth-place finish. Earlier this summer at Nashville Superspeedway, Feese started 18th and finished in the 17thspot. TMS-007 also has a pair of top-10 finishes with Brad Sweet behind the wheel. Sweet started fourth and finished 10th at Charlotte Motor Speedway and followed that up at Kansas Speedway, starting and finishing in the ninth spot.

Rolling The Dice in Vegas… LVMS is a special place for Turner Motorsports. The organization claimed their first ever NASCAR victory earlier this year at Sin City’s 1.5 mile track with Mark Martin behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet. In dramatic fashion, Martin took the lead on the final lap to claim his 49th NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) victory.

AccuDoc Solutions… AccuDoc Solutions will serve as primary sponsor of the No. 32 Chevy Silverado this Saturday afternoon at LVMS. AccuDoc Solutions is based in Morrisville, N.C. and provides billing- statement printing and processing to hospitals and hospital-based physicians. The Turner Motorsports marketing partner also adorns the hood of Jason Leffler’s No. 30 machine in several NNS events in 2011.

About Blake… Feese got his start racing quarter midgets at the age of 10. He progressed through the winged sprint car ranks over the years winning championships and prestigious races including wins at Knoxville Speedway, Eldora Speedway and the Dirt Track at Charlotte. In 2003, he made the switch to stock cars, competing in the ARCA Racing Series (ARS). In 2004, he partnered with Hendrick Motorsports, winning his first ARS event at Nashville Superspeedway. He went on to earn two wins, two top-five and four top-10 finishes that year. The next year he competed in six NNS races and also made his NCWTS debut at Kentucky Speedway. Following a year running the sprint car circuit, he returned to the ARS in 2007, running a limited schedule and earning one top-five and four top-10 finishes in four starts. In 2009, he made his second NCWTS start at Nashville Superspeedway finishing in 12th place.

Live On The Airwaves & Radiowaves… Live coverage of the Smith’s 350 from LVMS will begin Saturday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on SPEED and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Blake Feese (Photo Credit: CIA Photo)

“I’m looking forward to Las Vegas this weekend. It’ll be my first time there, so I’ll rely on the experience of my teammates Ricky [Carmichael] and James [Buescher]. It will also give me the opportunity to continue building a relationship with my new crew chief, Mark Rette. We worked well together in Kentucky and we are looking to improve on that finish this weekend.”

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

Turner Motorsports Thumbnail

Doug George will assume the crew chief duties for Ricky Carmichael’s No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado while Mark Rette will call the shots for rookie Blake Feese and the No. 32 AccuDoc Solutions entry.

“We’re trying something different with both teams this weekend,” explained Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner. “Our teams go to the race track each weekend with the goals of consistently competing at a high level and raising the bar for our sponsors and fans. As we look ahead to next season, we’re in the process of evaluating both programs. Turner Motorsports continues to work towards having all three of our trucks run up front not only for the rest of this season but in 2012 and beyond.”

Live coverage of the Kentucky 225 from Kentucky Speedway will take the green flag Saturday, Oct. 1 beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The race will be televised live on SPEED and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Qualifying for the 20th of 25 races on the 2011 NCWTS schedule will be televised the same day on SPEED at 6 p.m. EDT.

About Turner Motorsports:

Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas businessman Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NCWTS to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will compete with three entries in NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher, Brad Sweet, Steve Arpin, Blake Feese and Brandon McReynolds. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado (Ricky Carmichael) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Event/Date: VFW 200 – August 20, 2011

Venue: Michigan International Speedway – Brooklyn, Mich.

· This Week’s Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado … Ricky Carmichael will pilot chassis TMS-021 from the Turner Motorsports (TMS) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) stable in Saturday’s VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Built new for 2011, this is the same Monster Energy Chevy Carmichael raced earlier this season at Kentucky Speedway (St. 14, Fn. 16), Texas Motor Speedway (St. 9, Fn. 6) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (St. 17, Fn. 12).

· Michigan Minutes … Carmichael started 11th and finished 15th in his lone NCWTS start at MIS and completed all 100 laps.

· Pocono Points … Despite a late-race penalty, Carmichael still managed to muscle out a top-20 finish two weeks ago in the rain-delayed Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service 125 at Pocono Raceway. The 31-year-old, father of twins was 13th with only five laps to go but was penalized by NASCAR for changing lanes before the flag stand during the second-to-last restart of the 125-mile event. As a result, the 15-time AMA National Champion was forced to drive his TMS-prepared Chevrolet down pit road at a painfully slow 55 mph while the field thundered by at full speed. Fortunately, Carmichael was able to maintain his position on the lead leap and another quick caution afforded him the opportunity to catch back up with the leaders. He snared four positions over the final two laps to record a respectable top-20 showing.

· In a Nutshell … The 2011 season marks Carmichael’s second year competing on a full-time basis and third year overall in the NCWTS. Since making his series debut 57 races ago, the father of twins has gone on to earn three top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. Over those same 57 races, the motocross legend has logged a 15.4 average start, a 17.1 average finish, led 38 laps and completed 91 percent of the laps run, earning just over of $735,000 in purse money.

· Testing One, Two, Three, Testing … On Tuesday, Aug. 9, Carmichael and his Mark Rette-led Monster Energy Team spent the day testing and fine-tuning their No. 4 machine at Gresham Motorsports Park – a 12-degree banked, half –mile oval, located in Jefferson, Ga.

· Turner Truck Totals … In 14 NCWTS races in 2011, TMS entries have earned six top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. James Buescher leads the way with six top fives, including his third-place finish two weeks ago at Pocono Raceway where he maintained third in points following his 10th-consecutive top-10 finish. With the exception of Martinsville, Buescher has finished inside the top 10 in every race in which he has competed in the division this season. Carmichael has logged three top 10s, including a season-best sixth-place showing at Texas Motor Speedway and is 17th in the standings. Mark Martin finished seventh in the No. 32 machine at Pocono while Brad Sweet drove the same truck for the first eight races of the year and logged a pair of top 10s.

· Mark’s the Man… For the second time in as many races, Mark Martin will drive the No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevy this weekend in Michigan. Martin has 24 NCWTS starts to his credit, dating back to 1996, and boasts three poles, seven wins, 16 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes. The truck will feature a throwback-style paint scheme reminiscent of the Exide Batteries machine Martin drove in the mid-90s.

· Get to the Point(s) … Carmichael slipped to 17th in the NCWTS driver point standings following his 20th-place finish two weekends ago at Pocono. Still, he is just 30 points outside the top 12 and 51 back from the top 10. Buescher maintained third in points following his top-three effort in Pocono but now sits just 13 points behind second-place Johnny Sauter and only 14 behind point leader Austin Dillon. While Martin has made just one NCWTS start in 2011, the No. 32 machine is assured a spot on the starting grid by virtue of being 17th in the NCWTS owner point standings.

· Welcome Aboard … Turner Motorsports and Monster Energy are pleased to feature Family Fare on the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado this Saturday in Michigan. Family Fare has 38 supermarkets located in western and central Michigan. In each department, Family Fare showcases many great products and services for their customers to shop. Such items include a delightful floral section, a tasteful bakery, phenomenal meat and seafood departments, full line of Spartan Brand products and much more.

· Nationwide Notes … In 23 NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2011, TMS-fielded teams have notched three wins, 19 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes. Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet, maintained second in points after finishing 13th last weekend at Watkins Glen. Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 31 Brandt Chevrolet, was 12th in the final rundown last weekend and held on to fifth in points. Jason Leffler finished 18th at Watkins Glen and held on to sixth in the standings. This weekend, the drivers and teams of the NASCAR Nationwide Series head north of the border to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for the third and final road course race on the 2011 schedule. The NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge will take the green flag Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 2 p.m. EDT and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

· Up to Speed … Live coverage of the VFW 200 from Michigan International Speedway will take the green flag Saturday, Aug. 20 beginning at noon Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on SPEED and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Qualifying for the 15th of 25 races on the 2011 schedule will be televised live on SPEED the same day at 9 a.m. EDT.

Ricky Carmichael - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

Talk about last year’s Truck Series race at Michigan.

“Last year was the first time I’d raced at Michigan. I was very optimistic going in because a lot of people told me that Michigan was a lot like California and I did pretty well, there. We fired off pretty well in practice and qualified 11th but once we got going, the truck was really loose during the race. The track is very temperature sensitive so that really amplified the way the truck was handling. It was pretty much a struggle for us all afternoon.”

Did you learn anything last year that you can apply this weekend?

“Last year taught us a lot. I think we’ll be much better in the race this time. I’m going to take a little different approach to practice so we’re better prepared once we get going Saturday afternoon. I’m excited about what we’ve got for this weekend. We tested last Tuesday and worked on some of the front-end stuff we had last year and that gave me a lot more of a positive feel in the steering wheel and helped with the drivability of the truck. I’m really looking forward to seeing how that will translate into our race setups. I’m optimistic. I think it will be a good weekend for us.”

Do you like the way Michigan races?

“Michigan is so wide that you’re not stuck in a box as far as what line you have to run. You can go high, you can go low or you can run the middle. That’s what’s cool about it. You’re so aero-dependent at Michigan but because the track is so wide, you can move around if you need to compensate for the way your truck is handling. If one line isn’t working, you’ve got options.”

Michigan is in the backyard of all the American automobile manufacturers. Does that make this race a little more important?

“Every race is important but this one is especially important. All the executives from the manufactures come out to the track so this becomes a race where you really want to do well. We’re going to go out there and do the best we can for Chevrolet to try and get a win in their backyard. It’s very similar, from that standpoint, to Daytona or Anaheim in the motocross world. Those are the races where all the manufacturers would be. There was always a lot of pride on the line.”

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado (Ricky Carmichael) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Event / Date: UNOH 225 – July 7, 2011

Venue: Kentucky Speedway – Sparta, Ky.

· This Week’s Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado … Ricky Carmichael will pilot chassis TMS-021 from the Turner Motorsports (TMS) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) stable in Thursday night’s UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Built new for 2011, this is the same Monster Energy Chevy Carmichael raced to a sixth-place finish last month at Texas Motor Speedway and to a 12th-place finish in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

· Kentucky Count … Carmichael has a pair NCWTS starts to his credit at Kentucky Speedway and calls a fifth-place finish a career-best at the 14-degree banked, mile-and-a-half tri-oval. The Tallahassee, Fla., resident has logged an impressive 6.0 starting and finishing average, completed 100 percent of the laps run over those two races and earned just over $40,000 in purse money.

· Staying Busy … While most of his NCWTS counterparts had almost a month off, Carmichael stayed busy by racing the No. 30 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The 15-time AMA National Champion turned in an impressive performance two weekends ago at Road America where he started 15th and brought home a rock-solid ninth-place showing. He also competed at Daytona International Speedway last weekend but the end result wasn’t nearly as kind after a left-rear tire went down on the Monster Energy Chevy just 34 laps into the 100-lap event, leaving Carmichael 39th in the final rundown.

· A Look Back at Texas … Carmichael started ninth and finished sixth in the NCWTS last race, nearly a month ago, at Texas Motor Speedway. He raced in the top 15 for most of the night and when the money was on the line, the Clearwater, Fla., native was able to earn his best finish of the season and career-best effort at the high-banked 1.5-mile Fort Worth oval.

· In a Nutshell … The 2011 season marks Carmichael’s second year competing on a full-time basis and third year overall in the NCWTS. Since making his series debut 52 races ago, the father of twins has gone on to earn three top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. Over those same 52 races, the motocross legend has logged a 14.9 average start, a 16.9 average finish, led 38 laps and completed 91 percent of the laps run, earning just over $685,000 in purse money.

· Make it a Mike’s … For the second time this season, Canadian-born Steve Arpin will get behind the wheel of the No. 32 Chevy Silverado with Mike’s Hard Lemonade serving as the team’s primary sponsor. Arpin will race the No. 32 machine four more times this season. In addition to this Thursday’s 225-mile race, Arpin will steer the Mike’s Hard Lemonade Silverado three more times this season with stops at Iowa Speedway (7/16), Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis (7/29) and Chicagoland Speedway (9/16).

· Get to the Point(s) … Carmichael is currently 12th in the NCWTS driver point standings and sits just six points outside the top 10. He is 15 markers behind ninth-place Joey Coulter and only 31 points behind Parker Kligerman in eighth. Carmichael’s TMS teammate James Buescher is seventh in the standings and trails fifth-place Matt Crafton by a mere six-point margin. While Arpin is 39th in points after his lone start of 2011 in Texas, the No. 32 entry is safely locked in to the starting field in Kentucky by virtue of being 25th in the NCWTS owner’s point standings.

· There’s a New Truck Chief in Town … Tommy Ellis has joined the TMS Truck Series operation and will serve as Carmichael’s Truck Chief beginning this weekend in Kentucky. Ellis comes to Turner Motorsports from Joe Dennette Motorsports where he was a suspension mechanic. The 25-year-old Dartmouth, Mass., native spent part of 2010 as the Truck Chief for the No. 4 team before leaving to pursue an opportunity with RAB Racing. Ellis replaces Dan Bormann.

· Welcome Aboard … ValuMarket and Thorntons will be featured on the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado this weekend in Kentucky. ValuMarket has been serving the Louisville, Ky., area grocery needs since 1978 with locations in Hurstbourne Plaza, Outer Loop Plaza, Mid City Mall, Iroquois Manor and Mt. Washington, Ky. Thorntons Inc. is a leading, independent gasoline/convenience-chain retailer, marketing throughout the Midwest under the brand name Thorntons. Thorntons Inc. ranks No. 250 among Forbes magazine’s 500 largest privately held companies. Headquartered in Louisville, Ky., Thorntons operates over 160 gasoline and convenience stores including one travel plaza, eight car washes and ranks as one of Kentucky’s largest privately held companies with over $1.4 billion in annual revenue.

· See the Monster Energy Silverado … The Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado show truck will make a pair of stops on Wednesday in Louisville. From 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., the No. 4 machine will be on display at Thorntons Store No. 157, located at 1335 Hurstbourne Lane. From 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., the Monster Energy Silverado will make a pit stop at ValuMarket at 315 Whittington Parkway.

· Nationwide Notes … In 17 NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2011, TMS-prepared entries have notched three wins, 17 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes. Following his third-place finish in last weekend’s Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway, Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet, reassumed the points lead and currently paces second-place Elliott Sadler by nine points. Jason Leffler knocked down a runner-up finish to maintain the fifth position the Nationwide Series driver point standings while Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 31 Brandt Chevrolet finished fifth, giving TMS owner Steve Turner three cars in the top five. Allgaier maintained the fourth position in points with only six markers separating him from third place Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

· Up to Speed … The UNOH 225 from Kentucky Speedway will take the green flag Thursday, July 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Qualifying for Round 10 of the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship will be televised on SPEED the same day at 6 p.m. EDT.

Ricky Carmichael - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images for NASCAR

You’ve finished fifth and seventh in two starts at Kentucky Speedway. You’ve been very vocal about how much you enjoy the mile-and-a-half tracks. Why does Kentucky Speedway land right in your wheelhouse?

“I had the opportunity to go test at Kentucky Speedway when I was driving for KHI (Kevin Harvick Inc.) before we raced there back in 2009 so that really helped me. I got a lot of extra time on the track and had a chance to learn some things, like what the truck needs to feel like, so when I raced there for the first time, I was already comfortable. I finished seventh my first time out at Kentucky so having a head start turned out to be key.

I finished fifth last year and we got a little bit of help from a fuel-mileage standpoint but at the same time, we were still really fast all weekend and ran good all night.”

While most of your counterparts have had the last month off, you’ve been staying busy racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. What is your assessment of the last two weeks?

“The last two weeks have been great. Those two Nationwide races gave me an opportunity to be behind the wheel of that type of car, log some laps and feel the car out. Obviously, Road America went really well with a ninth-place finish, there. We were decent in practice and qualifying. I only went off course once and we were solid all day.

Daytona was definitely not what we wanted. We had some bad luck when the left-rear tire went down and there’s not much you can do in that situation. We didn’t get much practice because of the rain and I didn’t get to learn about the tandem-style drafting as much as I would have liked to but it was still great to be behind the wheel while a lot of guys were at home.”

After a long break from Truck Series competition, are you ready to get back in the groove of points racing?

“I’m ready to get back after it. We’re so close to being inside the top 10 in points and that keeps me pumped up. We started out the season really strong at Daytona and were in a great spot with 20 to go at Phoenix and possibly being able to leave there with the points lead but then the wheels kind of fell off. We’ve slowly started to regroup and get the boat turned back. I think we’re knocking at the door of running where we belong, especially after Texas. We need a good weekend at Kentucky which is very much within our grasp. It’s a great track for me so I’m looking forward to some good things to come.”

You finished sixth at Texas but there’s been a long break since then. Does that help you or hurt you coming into Thursday night at Kentucky Speedway?

“I think it might hurt a little bit but everyone has had the same amount of time off to deal with. I’m very optimistic about the gains we made in Texas with my crew chief Mark Rette and the changes we made to the truck. We really hit on the feel I like and I think we’re right where we need to be. I’m a little bummed about all the time off but very optimistic about building on where we left off in Texas.”

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado (Ricky Carmichael) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Event / Date: WinStar World Casino 400K – June 10, 2011

Venue: Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, Texas

· This Week’s Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado … Ricky Carmichael will pilot chassis TMS-021 from the Turner Motorsports (TMS) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) stable in Friday night’s WinStar World Casino 400K at Texas Motor Speedway. Built new for 2011, this is the same Monster Energy Chevy Carmichael raced to a 12th-place finish last month at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

· Texas Totals … Carmichael has four NCWTS starts to his credit at Texas Motor Speedway and has a 10th-place finish to call a career-best at the lightning-fast, mile-and-a-half Fort Worth oval. The Tallahassee, Fla., resident has logged an impressive 8.3 starting average, 13.3 average finish, completed 588 of the 630 total laps run over those four races (93 percent) and earned just over $52,000 in purse money.

· A Look Back at Kansas … With no laps on the race track and less than two hours to prepare their back-up truck, Carmichael and his Mark Rette-led Monster Energy team soldiered to a 21st-place finish in last Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. Carmichael lost the handle on his black and green No. 4 machine during qualifying and backed his primary truck in to the outside retaining wall. Rather than attempt to repair their heavily damaged Chevrolet Silverado, Rette and Co., rolled out the back up for the 167-lap affair. The15-time AMA National Champion was forced to start 35th but despite the less-than optimal circumstances, Carmichael came up just short of a top-20 finish.

· In a nutshell … The 2011 season marks Carmichael’s second year competing on a full-time basis and third year overall in the NCWTS. Since making his series debut 51 races ago, the father of twins has gone on to earn three top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Over those same 51 races, the motocross legend has logged a 15.0 average start, a 17.1 average finish, led 38 laps and completed 90.7 percent of the laps run, earning just over $673,000 in purse money.

· There’s a New Kid in Town … For the first time this season, Canadian-born Steve Arpin will take his turn behind the wheel of the No. 32 Chevy Silverado as Turner Motorsports welcomes Mike’s Hard Lemonade to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization’s family of sponsors. Arpin will race the No. 32 machine five times this season. In addition to this Friday’s 400K in Texas, Arpin will steer the Mike’s Hard Lemonade Silverado at Kentucky Speedway (7/7), Iowa Speedway (7/16), Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis (7/29) and Chicagoland Speedway (9/16).

· Get to the Point(s) … Carmichael is currently 16th in the NCWTS driver point standings and sits just 14 points outside the top 10. He is 14 markers behind 10th-place Brendan Gaughan and just 27 points behind Parker Kligerman in eighth. Carmichael’s Turner Motorsports’ teammate James Buescher is seventh in the standings and trails fifth-place Timothy Peters by a slim 12-point margin. Brad Sweet picked up two spots in points with his eighth-place finish last week at Kansas Speedway before turning over the keys of the No. 32 machine to Arpin for this weekend’s race in Texas.

· Turner Motorsports is Texas Strong… Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner considers Texas Motor Speedway his home track. Turner along with his wife Sandra live outside of Houston, only four hours from the Great American Speedway. Turner Motorsports captured its second NASCAR Nationwide Series win of 2011 last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway with Justin Allgaier and the No. 31 Brandt Chevrolet team. The organization is in its sophomore season of NASCAR competition and has already captured two wins, one pole, 26 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes in both Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series competition. Turner Motorsports has expanded from a two-truck Truck Series operation in 2010 to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-three touring series, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the Nationwide Series.

· Dreaming of the Prelude … Turner Motorsports will be well-represented in the seventh annual running of The Prelude To The Dream as Carmichael, and Nationwide Series regulars Allgaier and Jason Leffler travel to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for Wednesday night’s charity event. All three Turner Motorsports drivers have unique experience running on dirt that should play into their favor at the high-banked, half-mile clay oval. The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (5 p.m. PDT) with an immediate replay. HBO Pay-Per-View’s racing telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95 and is available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry.

· Welcome Aboard … Kroger and the Independent Buyers’ Co-op (I.B.C.) will be featured on the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado this weekend in Texas. The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR) headquartered in Cincinnati, is one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2010 sales of $82.2 billion. The Kroger Co. spans many states with store formats that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores. Kroger operates under nearly two dozen banners, all of which share the same belief in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with our customers.

I.B.C. is a buying group for independently owned convenience stores in Texas and Louisiana that negotiates programs with its vendors to offer I.B.C. members substantial savings in convenience store related product and services. I.B.C. is designed to provide its members with the massive advantages of having a fully staffed office dedicated to increasing members’ profits through the collective purchasing of products, promotions, services and training. I.B.C. has created a format that its members follow to grow their businesses to their maximum, while reducing costs, streamlining their operations and increasing their profits.

· Ultimate Drifting Challenge – Carmichael along with IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal will experience racing at TMS from a different perspective with Formula DRIFT rides – the series that highlights the Firestone Twin 275s pre-race show. Rahal and Carmichael will receive a crash course on the art of drifting from some pro drifters and possibly even get behind the wheel of a drifting car on the frontstretch quarter-mile layout. Rahal then will give the drifters a chance to see life in his shoes with a ride in the IndyCar Experience two-seater around the 1.5-mile oval.

· Meet the Driver(s) … Carmichael, Buescher and Arpin, along with several other NCWTS drivers will sign autographs on Fri., June 10 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on the Texas Motor Speedway midway display area.

· See the Monster Energy Silverado … The Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado show truck will make a pair of stops in the Dallas/Fort Worth area this week. On Wednesday, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., the No. 4 machine will visit Bearcat Shamrock in Aledo located at 421 Highway 1187. On Thursday, Carmichael’s Turner Motorsports-prepared truck will make a pit stop at Kroger Store No. 542 – 3300 Texas Sage Trail – in Fort Worth.

· Nationwide Notes … In 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2011, Turner Motorsports-prepared entries have notched two wins, 13 top-five and 31 top-10 finishes. Following his sixth-place finish in last weekend’s STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet, assumed the points lead and currently paces second-place Elliott Sadler by two points. Allgaier notched his first win of 2011 and is fourth in the standings, with only 11 points separating him from Sorenson. Meanwhile, Leffler is sixth, just five points outside the top five. Turner Motorsports Nationwide Series teams have the weekend off before returning to the track in two weeks at Michigan International Speedway.

· Up to Speed … The WinStar World Casino 400K from Texas Motor Speedway will take the green flag Fri., June 10 at 9 p.m. EDT. The race will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 8:30 p.m. EDT and broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Ricky Carmichael - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

Texas is one of you favorite race tracks and a place where you feel like you’ve got a legitimate chance to run in the top five or possibly even win. What makes Texas such a good track for you?

“I’m not sure really sure I can put my finger on it but I like the amount of grip the track has. I just love everything about that track. The first time I went there, when I was a rookie and hadn’t been on a track like that before, I ran pretty good. It’s just one of those tracks we go to that gives me a really good feeling. I’m really excited to go to Texas this weekend.”

What’s the key to a fast lap at Texas Motor Speedway?

“The truck needs to be good and secure underneath you. The track has a fair amount of grip so that’s not usually a problem. You need to run the truck along the white line on the bottom of the track as best as you can. Texas is typically a place where the fast guys will run around the bottom of the race track. The top line will probably start working once we get a little deeper in to the race but I think if you can get your truck working good on the bottom, that’s the best place to be. Fortunately for me, every time I’ve raced at Texas, I’ve been fast on the bottom and fast on the top.”

You had a tough weekend in Kansas. How do you put that behind you so you can bounce back in Texas

“I’m excited to go to Texas this weekend. Obviously, we’re not where we wanted to be as far as points go and we haven’t had the year we were hoping for. That being said, there are a lot of races left. We’re going back to the basics and try and figure some things out this weekend that can get us back to where we need to be. I think this weekend will be a great test for me and for my team because historically, I’ve run well at Texas and I know how the truck should feel. We’ve got a great opportunity to get a baseline and figure some stuff out like why I’m not getting the feel I like and what’s hindering us so, I’m very optimistic about this weekend. At the same time, if we can figure out what’s missing, I’ll be even more excited about our chances. With the way things have gone, expecting a win right now is a little far-fetched but if we can hit on the rights things, we can be up there. Our goal is to get the feel in the truck that I like and shoot for a top five.”

Considering you had a rough week in Kansas, Texas probably couldn’t come at a better time.

“Texas couldn’t have come at a better time. We had a great meeting after our incident in qualifying last week. We’re going to work really hard to duplicate exactly what we had under the truck last year at Texas. I’m hoping we’re going to get it figured out this weekend.”

Texas is essentially a home race for Turner Motorsports. Does that provide a little extra motivation for you to do well?

“Absolutely. I know all three of us … myself, James (Buescher) and (Steve) Arpin would all really like to run up front. When James and I finished second and fourth at Dover last year, Mr. Turner was on Cloud Nine. For me, as long as we run the way we’re capable and figure some things out, we should be able to run inside the top five. Obviously, with James’ ability, he should be able to as well. Arpin has won an ARCA race at Texas before so, as a whole, we should be able to produce this weekend. For us to do well as a team, for Mr. Turner in his home state where he conducts his business, would be outstanding. Mr. Turner has placed a lot of faith in me and given me a great opportunity so I’d really like to reward him with a good finish.”

You’re back for another Prelude – do you have any expectations this year?

“I’d just like to be better than I was last year. My goal this year is to qualify the best I can and just be really, really consistent in the feature. If I can do that, we’ll have a decent finish and it will give my team a decent shot at winning. Last year, I got caught in a wreck on the first lap and messed up my left front. From that point on, it was just miserable. I just want to be super, super consistent and be there at the end.”

What other drivers helped you out last year in explaining the car, the nuances of dirt racing and getting around Eldora?

“Austin Dillon and Clint Bowyer helped me the most. They were both very instrumental in my learning process and still are. Those guys are experts at it so I’ve got two great guys helping me. At the end of the day, it’s tough to go there and expect to keep up with the guys who have been doing it a long time.”

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado (Ricky Carmichael) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

This Week’s Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado … Ricky Carmichael will pilot Chassis TMS-018 from the Turner Motorsports stable in Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). This is the same Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado Carmichael raced last September at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and again in November at PIR where he finished 29th and 27th, respectively.

Phoenix Facts … Carmichael will make his third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at PIR in the Lucas Oil 150. In two previous NCWTS starts at the one-mile desert oval, the 15-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) National Champion has logged a 17.5 average start, a 22.5 finishing average, completed 287 of the 301 laps run and earned just over $17,000 in purse money. In NASCAR Nationwide Series action, the 31-year old driver made one start, for Braun Racing, where he rolled off the starting grid 41st and rallied to a 21st-place finish.

A Look Back at Last Week … Carmichael started fourth and finished eighth in last Friday night’s season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The Clearwater, Fla., native led one lap, raced in the top two for the first 70 circuits and left Daytona with a career-best, eighth-place finish in NCWTS competition at the “World Center of Racing.” Meanwhile, Carmichael’s Turner Motorsports teammates James Buescher and Brad Sweet recorded ninth- and 21st­-place finishes, respectively. Carmichael and Buescher are currently tied with Jeffery Earnhardt for third in the NCWTS driver point standings while Sweet sits 16th.

In a Nutshell … The 2011 season will mark Carmichael’s second season competing on a full-time basis in the NCWTS. Since making his series debut, 44 races ago, the father of two has gone on to earn three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Over those same 44 races, Carmichael has logged a 13.7 average start, a 16.5 average finish, completed 92.6 percent of the laps run and earned just over $550,000 in purse money.

Heading for the ATL … Following Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150, Carmichael will head to Atlanta for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross at the Georgia Dome. Doors open on Sat., Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m. with the main event scheduled for a 7 p.m. green flag. The five-time Supercross champion will sign autographs at 3 p.m. at the Monster Energy display inside the Supercross Pit Party. Carmichael will also provide color commentary during SPEED’s live telecast of the event.

See the Monster Energy Silverado … The Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado show truck will make a pair of stops in the Phoenix area this week. On Wednesday, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., the truck will visit Bashas’ located at 7586 W. Thunderbird in Peoria. On Friday, the No. 4 machine will make a pit stop in Tolleson at the QuikTrip at the intersection of 99th and Van Buren.

Welcome Aboard … Turner Motorsports and Monster Energy are pleased to welcome Bashas’ and QT Kitchens to the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado. QT Kitchens, located inside select QuikTrip locations, offers fresh sandwiches, wraps, fruit, salads and pastries. Bashas’ is a family-owned grocery store chain with more than165 stores serving every county in Arizona, in addition to locations in California and New Mexico.

· So Much for the Weekend Off … Next weekend, Carmichael will head back to Daytona where he will be in the booth for SPEED’s coverage of the annual Daytona Supercross. The event is the longest continuously running Supercross in America, dating back to 1971. The second annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross event is scheduled for Sun., March 6 with the Ricky Carmichael University slated for Monday, March 7. The Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross Championship, produced by MX Sports, offers an opportunity for amateurs to compete on some of the most prestigious motorsports grounds in the world. Run in conjunction with the Daytona Supercross, the event marks the only chance during the year for riders to take lessons from the Greatest of All-Time. The 2010 inaugural event sold out, filling every position on the gate, making the event a once in a lifetime experience for participants of all ages.

For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com.

The RCU is a Supercross school developed by Carmichael to help riders of all ability levels hone their individual Supercross skills. Past champions who will serve as instructors include, Jeff Stanton, a four- time Daytona Supercross winner and six- time AMA Champion, former Supercross champ Jeff Emig, who won the grueling Daytona Supercross race in 1997, along with Damon Bradshaw and Kevin Foley. Carmichael is the winningest rider in motocross history at the fabled Daytona Beach race course with a total of six overall victories.

He notched his first win in 125cc competition in 1998 and followed that up two years later with his first career win in the AMA’s premier class, becoming the first rider to win both a 125cc and 250cc race at Daytona. He went on to record four consecutive Supercross wins (2000-2003) to tie Stanton for the most victories and set the record three years later with a win in 2006. Carmichael has been the architect of the Daytona Supercross track since 2008. Live coverage of the 40th annual Daytona Supercross will be televised live on SPEED Sat., March 6 at beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

· Up to Speed … Live coverage of the Lucas Oil 150 from Phoenix International Raceway will be televised on SPEED Fri., Feb. 25 beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel 128. Qualifying for the Round 2 of the 2011 NCWTS championship will be televised live on SPEED on Friday at 5 p.m. EST.

Ricky Carmichael - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

Statistically speaking, it looks like Phoenix has been a struggle for you.

“When we finished 18th, it was my first race with Turner Motorsports and at that point, it was a brand new team … brand new everything. Provided the circumstances, I thought we did ok. That was the first time I’d ever been to the track. Last year was frustrating because we got wrecked and that’s why the end result was so bad. I love the race track and that’s one of the reasons it was so frustrating. I don’t feel like my results are a true indicator of how we’ve performed. I’m looking forward to Phoenix and trying to build up our finishing average. I’ve always got a positive attitude when I go to Phoenix because I like the race track so much. We missed the set up last year, which put us behind, and that’s what led to us getting wrecked, It’s a fun track for me so I’m very optimistic about our chances of doing well. We’re looking to maximize on points and earn as many as we can like we did last week at Daytona.”

Are you looking forward to the track being resurfaced and reconfigured or do you like it the way it is?

“I like Phoenix the way it is. That being said, I don’t like how narrow it is on the frontstretch so as I understand it, they’re going to widen that part of the race track, which will be awesome. That’s going to help get you out of harm’s way and help keep people from getting wrecked coming off Turn 4. There will be a lot more room coming off the corner and on to the frontstretch.”

You’re in a lot better position heading into the second race of the season this year than you were last season. Does that change how you go about your business this weekend as opposed to how you did it last year?

“I want to be there at the end of the race every weekend and maximize as many points as we can. I think that was one of my strong points in motocross. This year, in the Truck Series, I have so much more confidence because I know what to expect. We had a great start to the year last weekend at Daytona and that sets the tempo heading into Phoenix.”

Since superspeedway races are their own animals, will Phoenix be a truer indicator of where you’re at as a driver and how your team sets up for the bulk of the season?

“Phoenix is going to set the tone for the next five races. We’re not out there trying to climb out of a hole and make up points. We’re ahead of the curve right now as opposed to being behind like we were at this time last year. We’re in control of our own destiny a lot more over the next several weeks than we were at Daytona. It’s nice to be in front of the eight ball as opposed to behind it coming out of the gate.”

What are your favorite types of race tracks?

“I really like the flat, one-mile tracks like Phoenix and New Hampshire. To me, it feels like those are the kind of tracks where the drivers play a very critical role in the outcome of the race. Of the mile-and-a-halves, Atlanta and Texas are probably my two favorites. Those are tracks that I really get amped up for and feel like it will be a good weekend for me. Those four tracks are probably my favorites.”

After Phoenix, you’re heading to Atlanta for the Monster Energy Supercross. What do you have up your sleeve for Saturday?

“First thing Saturday morning, we’ll get up and catch a flight for the Atlanta Supercross. I won my first Supercross race at Atlanta in 1997 so it’s a special place for me. That was always like a home race for me. The crowds were always great and it’s just an awesome event. I won’t be racing but I’ll be participating in autograph sessions for my sponsors and I’ll be in the booth for SPEED’s live broadcast Saturday night. I’m really looking forward to it. Atlanta is an epic Supercross race. The atmosphere is electric. It’s got a great vibe and it’s close to home.”

As far as the off-weekend after Phoenix, it doesn’t sound like you’ll have much time off at all.

“On the weekend off for the Truck Series, I’ve got something really exciting happening. I’ll be down in Daytona for the Supercross next Saturday night and then on Sunday, I’ll be hosting the second annual Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross. We’ve got the Ricky Carmichael University the Monday after so it’ll be a busy weekend but one I’m really looking forward to.”

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado (Ricky Carmichael) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Event / Date: NextEra Energy Resources 250 – Feb. 18, 2011

Venue: Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

This Week’s Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado … Ricky Carmichael will pilot Chassis No. 16 from the Turner Motorsports stable in Friday night’s season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250. Built new last season, this is the same Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado Carmichael drove to a fifth-place finish last fall at Talladega Superspeedway.

A New Era … The 2011 NASCAR season-opener will mark the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. The team has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) operation to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS).

Daytona by the Numbers … Ricky Carmichael will make his third NCWTS start at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in the NextEra Energy Resources 250. In his previous two starts at the “World Center of Racing”, the 15-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) National Champion boasts a pair of top-six qualifying efforts. Restrictor-plate racing got the best of Carmichael in both starts leaving him with just a 24th-place result to call a career-best in Truck Series action.

Just Getting Warmed Up … In an effort to get a head start on the 2011 season and garner a little extra seat time, Carmichael competed in last weekend’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Series race at DIS. The 31-year-old driver started seventh, raced in the top five for the majority of the event, and went on the earn a personal-best fourth-place finish.

Tough Act to Follow … Carmichael has a proud heritage at DIS and is the winningest rider in motocross history at the fabled Daytona Beach race course with a total of six overall victories. The Tallahassee, Fla.,- resident notched his first win in 125cc competition in 1998 and followed that up two years later with his first career win in the AMA’s premier class, becoming the first rider to win both a 125cc and 250cc race at Daytona. He went on to record four consecutive Supercross wins (2000-2003) to tie Jeff Stanton for the most victories and set the record three years later with a win in 2006. Carmichael has been the architect of the Daytona Supercross track since 2008. Additionally, he hosts his own amateur Supercross race at Daytona along with the Ricky Carmichael University riding school. His likeness is also enshrined on hallowed ground – the entrance to Victory Lane.

In a Nutshell … The 2011 season will mark Carmichael’s second season competing on a full-time basis in the NCWTS. Since making his series’ debut 43 races ago at DIS, the 31-year-old driver has gone on to earn three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. Over those same 43 races, Carmichael has logged a 13.9 average start, a 16.7 average finish, completed 91.9 percent of the laps run and earned just over $500,000 in purse money.

New Wrench on the Box … NASCAR veteran Mark Rette will assume the role of crew chief for Carmichael’s NCWTS sophomore campaign. Rette has a wealth of experience including stints at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Roush Fenway Racing. Rette earned the 2009 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship with driver Justin Lofton where the duo combined for five poles and six wins. Most recently, Rette served as Lofton’s crew chief in the NCWTS at Red Horse Racing.

Meet the Driver … Carmichael will meet race fans and sign autographs Friday afternoon at the Chevrolet display from 1 – 1:30 p.m. The Chevy display is located outside Turn 4, adjacent to the SPEED stage, in the speedway’s midway. Later that afternoon, from 4 – 5 p.m., he will participate in the NCWTS driver’s autograph session in the Sprint FANZONE.

See the Monster Energy Silverado … The Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado show truck will make four stops in the Daytona Beach area during Speedweeks. On Wednesday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the truck will visit Gate store No. 1144 located at 1001 North Woodland Blvd., in Deland. On Thursday, the No. 4 machine will make a stop at the brand-new 7-Eleven on International Speedway store at the west end of the race track from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Friday the truck will make two stops. The first stop is scheduled from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at K-Mart located at 1300 International Speedway Blvd. West. From 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. the truck will be displayed directly across from the track at the 7-Eleven on the corner of Fentress and International Speedway Blvd.

Up to Speed … Live coverage of The NextEra Energy Resources 250 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised on SPEED Fri., Feb. 18 beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel 128. Qualifying for the first of 25 races on the 2011 NCWTS calendar will be televised live on SPEED Thurs., Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EST.

Ricky Carmichael - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images for NASCAR

What would it mean for you to win at Daytona?

“I think about it every time I go down there. Personally, I’ve had a lot of success on two wheels at Daytona. I can’t even describe what I would mean to possibly be the first guy to win on two wheels and on four wheels at Daytona. There’s so much history at that race track. I want to win there and go to Victory Lane so bad. It’s not possible to put into words what that would mean to me.”

You’ve had some success on superspeedways with a limited number of starts. You started seventh and finished fifth in the truck race at Talladega last year so that has to give you some confidence heading into Speedweeks.

“I’m looking forward to it. I really am. To be able to take the same Monster Energy Silverado that we raced at Talladega last year and be able to improve on it is going to make it that much better going down to Daytona. I’m very optimistic about our chances. For the most part, I run up near the front of the pack on speedways but I’ve been in a bad spot a couple of times and been a victim of circumstance. But, every time I’ve finished a superspeedway race, I’ve been easily inside the top 10. I’m looking forward to it for sure. I enjoy it.”

What’s your overall outlook for the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season?

“I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself. I made a lot of improvements last season and I want to do the same thing in 2011. There’s no reason we shouldn’t finish in the top 10 in points and I’m itching to get a race win. That’s my goal and I can’t stop thinking about it. This year will be the first time where I’m coming back with an entire season under my belt so I’m expecting big things from myself. Knowing what I know from last year, I feel like I can make a lot of improvements. I have a lot of confidence in myself, in my team and in our equipment to where I can get the job done and be able to turn some heads. We’ve got great equipment so it’s all on me and I like having that responsibility. To be able to get Turner Motorsports its first win would be awesome. I feel like I owe that to Steve Turner.”

You’ve been with Turner Motorsports from the very beginning. How has the team progressed in the last year?

“It’s amazing how much Steve Turner wants to win and the effort he puts forth so these teams can do that. The man is dedicated … there is no doubt. He gave me a great opportunity and as I look back on it that decision, it was a no-brainer. I’m very blessed and happy to be a part of it. I want to do my best and try my hardest for him and the entire organization.”

Monster Energy has been very loyal to you over the last several years. How satisfying is it for you, personally, to have such a high-profile sponsor in your corner?

“I’m very fortunate to have Monster Energy’s support and backing. They followed me when I first got into four-wheel racing three years ago. Obviously, we were very dominant together in the motocross world and they stayed with me when I retired from that. Monster has a lot of confidence in me. It’s a great program and we’ve been together forever. I really value my relationship with them and they do the same for me. As much as I want to get a win for Steve Turner, I want to get that first win for everyone at Monster. They’ve won in every other sport where they participate except for NASCAR so I want to be the guy who gets them their first win. Monster is a winning company and they stand behind their athletes. I’m very thankful to be part of the Monster Army.”

Follow Ricky Carmichael at:

Rickycarmichael.com

Twitter.com/RickyCarmichael

Facebook.com/RickyCarmichael

About Turner Motorsports:

Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas-native, Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will house three entries in the Camping World Truck Series and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Brad Sweet.

The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

Turner Motorsports

Event / Date: Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 – Feb. 12, 2011

Venue: Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

Ricky Carmichael’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Performance History at Daytona International Speedway

Starting off on the Right Foot … Ricky Carmichael will pilot the No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala, fielded by Turner Motorsports, in this Saturday’s season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). In two previous ARCA Series starts at the “World Center of Racing”, the 15-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) National Champion boasts a seventh-place finish to call a career best.

Start of a new era for Turner Motorsports… This weekend will mark the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. The team has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS).

ARCA Racing at a Glance … Carmichael has six previous ARCA Series starts heading into the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250. The 31-year-old driver started 14th last February at DIS and went on the notch a personal best seventh-place showing in ARCA competition. Over those same six events, Carmichael logged a 16.2 starting average, a 21.8 average finish and completed 566 of the 733 laps contested (77.2 percent).

Tough Act to Follow … Carmichael has a proud heritage at DIS and is the winningest rider in motocross history at the fabled Daytona Beach race course with a total of six overall victories. The Tallahassee, Fla., resident notched his first win in 125cc competition in 1998 and followed that up two years later with his first career win in the AMA’s premier class, becoming the first rider to win both a 125cc and 250cc race at Daytona. He went on to record four consecutive Supercross wins (2000-2003) to tie Jeff Stanton for the most victories and set the record three years later with a win in 2006. Carmichael has been the architect of the Daytona Supercross track since 2008. Additionally, the Florida native hosts his own amateur Supercross race at Daytona along with the Ricky Carmichael University riding school. His likeness is also enshrined on hallowed ground – the entrance to Victory Lane.

Gearing up for a New Year … Mark Rette, crew chief for Carmichael’s No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado in the NCWTS, will call the shots for this weekend’s ARCA race. Additionally, Carmichael’s Turner Motorsports’ truck series team will prepare the car for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

Catch the Action … The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on SPEED Sat., Feb. 12 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network. Qualifying for the first race on the 2011 Speedweeks calendar is scheduled to see the green flag Fri., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. EST.

RICKY CARMICHAEL QUOTES

What would it mean for you to win at Daytona?

“I think about it every time I go down there. Personally, I’ve had a lot of success on two wheels at Daytona. I can’t even describe what I would mean to possibly be the first guy to win on two wheels and on four wheels at Daytona. There’s so much history at that race track. I want to win there and go to Victory Lane so bad. It’s not possible to put into words what that would mean to me.”

You’re a Florida native so would it be a little more special for you to win in your home state?

“It would be cool to win because it is in my home state but I think the cooler part would be because I’ve had so much success at Daytona on two wheels and obviously, with all the history that Daytona represents. I’ve had a really great career there. It’s a special place with a lot of great memories for me.”

Do you feel like the ARCA race is going to provide you with an opportunity to gel with your new crew chief Mark Rette?

“I’m looking forward to running the ARCA race and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Steve Turner has given me to do that. It’s going to be a great team building opportunity for me and Mark and the rest of our Camping World Truck Series team. This is going to be a key race to get the season started off on the right foot. We’ve got a great car and this will be a great opportunity to get geared up for the truck race the following weekend. That’s where our bread and butter is and that’s the one we want to win.”

How important is it for you to get some extra seat time on a superspeedway before the truck race next week?

“Anytime I can get behind the wheel in a good piece and have a good shot at winning is going to help my situation. It’s key right now with where I’m at from an experience standpoint. That’s one thing I lack. Anytime I can get in an extra race every now and then is going to be priceless.”

Follow Ricky Carmichael at:

Rickycarmichael.com

Twitter.com/RickyCarmichael

Facebook.com/RickyCarmichael

About Turner Motorsports:

Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas-native, Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will house three entries in the Camping World Truck Series and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Brad Sweet.

The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.

- Turner Motorsports Press Release

Justin Lofton

“I am very excited to be teaming up with Germain Racing. Fresh off of their 2010 championship, it was clear to me that Germain was the best place for me,” Lofton said.

“Todd (Bodine) served as a mentor to me through my rookie season and really helped me learn the ropes of the Camping World Truck Series. To have him, Max (Papis) and Brendan (Gaughan) as teammates, I am really excited about the upcoming season.”

Lofton, who hails from Southern California, earned the 2009 ARCA Racing Series championship after winning six of the 21 races. He moved full time to NASCAR last year, notching four top-five and eight top-10 finishes with a best finish of third, giving him a solid 12th place finish in the driver point standings.

“I’m really excited about having Justin as a teammate at Germain Racing as we’ve become friends over the last season. He’s a real good kid and I think he’s got real potential as a race car driver,” said Bodine, who thinks Lofton will play a key role in the expansion of Germain Racing’s Tundra fleet. “I’m looking forward to Justin’s input and seeing him grow as a driver.”

Germain Racing entered truck competition in 2004 and has since accumulated 22 race victories, nine pole awards and two division championships. Germain Racing earned Toyota’s first Truck Series title in 2006, and repeated the feat in 2010, earning the No. 30 Tundra team the nod as the most dominant Tundra team in active competition.

“Germain Racing takes a lot of pride in the championships we’ve won for Toyota and our record of having the leading Tundra team. We’ve gotten to where we are having a team that’s been a blend of youthful ambition and veteran skills. Adding Justin Lofton to our Tundra lineup gives our Truck Series program a fresh, young driver who can bring Germain Racing more wins and more championships for many years to come,” said general manager Mike Hillman Sr.

At 24, Lofton will be the youngest driver in the Germain Racing stable.

“I wish the season started sooner because I am very excited to go racing with the Germain team. They have established themselves as the team to beat in the Truck Series,” Lofton added.

Lofton’s crew chief will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Justin Lofton, visit LoftonRacing.com.

For more information on Germain Racing, visit GermainRacing.com.

Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/jlracing and Twitter.com/GermainRacing

Justin Lofton

“I can’t say enough how proud I am of Mark Rette and all of the guys on the No. 7 visitpit.com team. We grew together as a team all year and it feels real good to close out the season with another top-10,” Lofton said.

After taking the green flag, Lofton remained within the top-10 through the first 30 laps before dropping his No. 7 Toyota Tundra down pit road for his first pit stop of the evening. Shortly after taking the restart, Lofton drifted back in the field, maintaining within the top-15 through the next round of pit stops on lap 75.

Before pulling down pit road for another stop, Lofton reported that through the last run, the truck was “uneasy in the corner.” Due to the handling, crew chief Mark Rette called for a wedge adjustment, four tires, and fuel. After the stop however, the team noticed that Lofton had a right rear tire going down. Since the team was unaware of the deflating tire at the time of the pit stop and the chassis adjustment, the handling of the truck remained a bit off.

Luckily, another caution flag waved just 10 laps later, allowing Lofton to pit again on lap 88. The team again swapped out tires, added fuel, and redid the wedge adjustment.

With a repaired race truck, Lofton took the restart from the 19th position for the restart on lap 93.

As the next yellow waved on lap 105, Lofton stayed out as other lead lap cars opted to pit. With only 10-lap old tires, Rette made the call to keep his driver on track. The call moved the rookie racer to third on the board with just 24 laps left to run.

The field then saw a red flag period following a single truck incident, which brought the restart with just 20 laps remaining.

The trucks with fresher tires however, were able to maneuver by Lofton as he slipped from third to eighth. Despite a call over the radio that the rear end of the No. 7 Toyota was lacking the right feel, Lofton dug in and reclaimed a position in the final laps to close out the season in the seventh spot.

The finish boosted him one position in the final driver standings, leaving the California native 12th in the final rundown. He ended the season with four top-five and eight top-10 finishes, with a best showing of third in Dover.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release

No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra (Justin Lofton) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Last Time Out… Lofton started a strong seventh in last weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. He and the No. 7 team had a consistent night, racing within the top-10 for the majority of the 150-mile race. Despite a lingering tight condition on his Toyota Tundra, Lofton wheeled his way to a ninth place finish.

Curtain Call… 24-year-old Lofton will close out his rookie season within the Camping World Truck Series once the checkered flag falls on Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Entering the season finale Lofton has four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, and a highest qualifying position of third to his credit. He has also earned the Raybestos Rookie of The Race honors seven times. He is currently 13th in the driver point standings.

One of the Best… Lofton and crew chief Mark Rette will roll out one of their strongest trucks out of the RHR shop this weekend for the season-ending Ford 200. It is the same truck that Lofton raced to a fifth place finish in Pocono, a career-best qualifying position of third at Darlington, and most recently, an eighth place finish in Las Vegas.

Approaching Off Season Means Busy Schedule For Lofton… With the off season closing in, Lofton is making plans to keep busy during the nearly two-month break in racing action by planning a charity golf tournament. The Justin Lofton Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament will be held on January 22, 2011 at the Del Rio Country Club in Brawley, California. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Imperial Valley. As the event comes together sign-up and event information can be found via LoftonRacing.com.

Justin Lofton

Crew Chief Mark Rette on Homestead-Miami Speedway: “We’re heading to Homestead hoping for a strong finish to the year. Justin has learned a lot through the season and we’ve grown as a team. We’re taking another truck that Justin has run well in, so we’ll look to keep the momentum rolling from the top-10 at Phoenix to close out the year.”

Equipment Information: Lofton will race chassis RHR123 this week at Homestead. It is the same truck the team raced at Las Vegas.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release

Justin Lofton - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images for NASCAR

“I’m real proud of all the guys on the No. 7 visitpit.com Toyota Tundra. Phoenix is pretty close to home for me so it was special to run good. The truck was strong from practice on and it feels good to bring home another top-10 for the guys and my friends that came out,” Lofton said.

Lofton took the green flag from the seventh position on Friday night after qualifying three-tenths of a second faster than his fastest run in final practice.

The first caution flag of the race fell just 15 laps into the event, with Lofton radioing to crew chief Mark Rette that his No. 7 Tundra was lacking a bit of handling through the center of the turns. Lofton stayed on track, holding out for his first pit stop until lap 53. He took that restart from the 14th position.

By the time the race hit the halfway mark on lap 75, Lofton was running 13th, adding that the truck was a little tight through the center. 15 laps later, he made his second and final pit stop of the night under a caution flag, which allowed his crew to add fuel, tires, and a rubber in the right rear in order to dial in on the handling.

As the race hit lap 100, Lofton was running 12th, just outside of the top-10. He radioed to his crew that the changes were the right call, but that passing was a challenge, since most of his competition was running the same line as him.
“I know it’s tough to pass, but you need to attack when you get there,” Rette coached his driver.

And Lofton did just that. A caution flag waved with 30 laps remaining, giving the 24-year-old an opportunity to take advantage of the restart. As the field picked up the pace, Lofton jockeyed for position, moving from 11th to eighth within a lap and a half.

With 20 laps remaining, Lofton relayed to Rette that he was again fighting a tight condition, but despite the challenge, he muscled his way to a strong ninth place finish at the drop of the checkered flag.

Lofton and the No. 7 team will head to Homestead Miami Speedway on November 19th for the 25th and final race of the Camping World Truck Series season. To date, Lofton has scored four top-five and seven top-10 finishes. He is currently 13th in the driver point standings.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release

No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra (Justin Lofton) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Last Time Out… Lofton started 17th for last week’s race at Texas Motor Speedway, but contact with the wall on lap 1 hindered the night’s efforts, leaving the team 22nd at the finish. The early contact forced the team to make numerous pit stops under a caution flag for repairs, but a flat tire under green flag conditions forced the team to make another unplanned pit stop. Lofton gained as many positions as he could, climbing three positions in the final 20 laps.

West Coast Racer… Hailing from California, Lofton honed his stock car skills running in various divisions around the Southwest. Beginning with late models as he made his climb through the ranks, the 24-year-old raced on many tracks that the top three NASCAR divisions now visit, including the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway. During his three visits to PIR during his days in K&N Pro Series West competition, he logged over 405 miles.

Trusty Truck… Lofton will race one of the team’s most productive chassis to date this weekend in Phoenix. It is the same truck Lofton raced on the concrete high banks of Dover and Bristol, producing top-fives at both tracks. The truck also has a best qualifying effort of fourth at Gateway.

Approaching Off Season Means Busy Schedule For Lofton… With the off season closing in, Lofton is making plans to keep busy during the nearly two-month break in racing action by planning a charity golf tournament. The Justin Lofton Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament will be held on January 22, 2011 at the Del Rio Country Club in Brawley, California. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Imperial Valley. As the event comes together, sign-up and event information can be found via LoftonRacing.com.

Justin Lofton on racing at Phoenix Intl Raceway: “I am really excited about going to Phoenix this week. Since the trucks don’t race in California, Phoenix is my home track. I’ve raced at PIR a few times and it really is a fun race track. It has short track characteristics, so you have to stay up on the wheel.”

Crew Chief Mark Rette on Phoenix Intl Raceway: “We’re taking a solid truck to Phoenix this weekend. We have some solid starts and finishes with it. Justin knows Phoenix from his previous experience in other series. If we can put it all together we should have a good finish.”

Equipment Information: Lofton will race chassis RHR 110 at Phoenix. It has raced previously at Dover, Iowa, and Gateway, with a best finish of third.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release

No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra (Justin Lofton) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

“I’m so proud of all of the guys on this team. They work hard on these trucks every week, from the time at the shop to pit stops. I got into the wall early and they just kept at it, fixing the truck, and tracking the tire wear. We had a vibration on and off all night with the tires. I wish we could have had a better finish,” Lofton said.

Justin Lofton - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images for NASCAR

A fender rub 10 laps later however, forced Lofton to the pits one more time for more work and a fresh set of right side tires.

By the time the race hit the 50-lap mark, the crew had noticed not only damage to their old tires from the fender rub, but also indication marks of wear. Officials from Goodyear made numerous passes on pitroad monitoring tire wear, but did not notice a cause for concern among the majority of the competition.

With Lofton noting only a slight vibration and tight condition throughout the race, he stayed on track, cracking the top-25 on lap 100.

Through the final 47 laps, the team continued to persevere with Lofton gaining a few more positions, climbing into 22nd at the drop of the checkered flag.

The next race for Lofton and the No. 7 team will be on Friday, November 12th at Phoenix International Raceway.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release

No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra (Justin Lofton) - Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Last Time Out… In last Saturday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, Justin Lofton was quietly logging laps, playing it safe in the draft early in the running of the Mountain Dew 250. But after another competitor spun in the middle of the pack, Lofton had nowhere to go, getting caught up in the wreck just 22 laps into the event. The accident caused heavy damage to Lofton’s Toyota, ending the team’s effort.

Texas Take 3… This Friday’s stop at the Texas Motor Speedway will mark Lofton’s third visit to the 1.5-mile track this season (once in Nationwide competition, and once in trucks). Track position and timing got the best of the rookie racer both times, with Lofton getting caught up in run-ins not of his doing. With confidence that the third time is the charm, Lofton and crew chief Mark Rette will turn to a reliable race truck this time around, by running the same truck that has logged multiple top-10 qualifying positions, with a best finish of fifth on a similar 1.5-mile track in Chicago.

Approaching Off Season Means Busy Schedule For Lofton… With the off season closing in, Lofton is making plans to keep busy during the nearly two-month break in racing action by planning a charity golf tournament. The Justin Lofton Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament will be held on January 22, 2011 at the Del Rio Country Club in Brawley, California. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Imperial Valley. As the event comes together, sign-up and event information can be found via LoftonRacing.com.

Justin Lofton

“I’m ready to get back to Texas and get the finish that we deserve. We’ve had some really good runs with the truck that we’ll have there this weekend, and I like racing on intermediate tracks. The guys have been working really hard all season, and we’re looking to end the season on a high note over these last three races.”

Crew Chief Mark Rette on Texas Speedway:

“Justin knows how to race at Texas and tracks like Texas, we just need some luck to go along with it. If we can qualify up front, log some laps, and have solid pitstops, we’ll put together a good race.”

Equipment Information: Lofton will race chassis RHR65. It is the same truck Lofton raced in Kentucky and Chicagoland, qualifying within the top 10 both times, with a best finish of fifth.

- Justin Lofton Media Relations Press Release