(NEWS RELEASE)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The stars of AMA Supercross rode a portion of the Ricky Carmichael Signature Design on Friday in advance of Saturday’s Daytona Supercross By Honda at Daytona International Speedway.

Among the riders participating included:

– Three-time Daytona Supercross By Honda champion Chad Reed

– Supercross legend, five-time Daytona Supercross By Honda champion and course designer Ricky Carmichael

– Team Honda Muscle Milk rider Justin Barcia

– Team Honda Muscle Milk rider Trey Canard

– GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac

– GEICO Honda rider Wil Hahn

– GEICO Honda rider Zach Bell

– RCH Suzuki rider Josh Hill

– RCH Suzuki rider Broc Tickle

For the sixth straight year, Carmichael returns as the course designer and Bomber Built, owned by three-time AMA 125cc National Motocross Champion Mark Barnett, is building the Supercross course.

Carmichael retired from Supercross in 2007 as the most decorated rider in history with 15 AMA championships and 150 wins.

This year’s Ricky Carmichael Signature Design course is designed nearly identical to last year’s layout and the placement of the starting gate will remain on pit road providing fans with a great view of the first turn. The riders will also have to conquer at least 10 more jumps on the course.

“I’ve got to thank Daytona for the opportunity,” Carmichael said. “It’s always a great thing to be associated with everybody here at Daytona International Speedway. When you think about all the history here, all sorts of forms of racing, it’s pretty cool to be associated with it. It’s been fun to have the pleasure to design this track the past several years, and I love when the finished project comes out.

“There are a couple of different changes this year as opposed to last year, but for the most part it’s very similar. The reason for that is because I think it was a good design last year, but it didn’t get a fair shot so we are going to keep it close to the same. We are looking for good night of racing.”

The Daytona Supercross By Honda is set for Saturday. On Sunday and Monday in the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross, the amateur Supercross racers will have an opportunity to test their skills on the same course used in the Daytona Supercross By Honda. For more information on the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross, visit www.racedaytona.com.

For more information and tickets for the Daytona Supercross By Honda, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

(Click on photo for larger version) All photos courtesy Daytona International Speedway

Fans can follow Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (@DISUpdates) and stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.