From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Ricky Carmichael Named Grand Marshal For Daytona Supercross By Honda

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 1, 2004) – Honda rider Ricky Carmichael, who has won the last four Daytona Supercross By Hondas, will serve as the Grand Marshal for the inaugural nighttime running of the Daytona Supercross By Honda on Friday night, March 5 at historic Daytona International Speedway.

Carmichael, who is unable to compete in this year’s 34th Daytona Supercross By Honda due to a knee injury, will give the starting command for the 20-lap 250cc final under the lights of the “World Center of Racing.”

In the 2003 Daytona Supercross By Honda, Carmichael captured his fourth straight victory on Daytona’s tough and demanding Supercross course, tying Jeff Stanton’s record of four consecutive wins between 1989-92.

As part of his Grand Marshal duties, the 24-year-old Carmichael, who resides in Havana, Fla., will participate in a question and answer session in the Classic Cycle Club on Friday night, March 5 at 6 p.m. The Classic Cycle Club is a hospitality package that includes private suite access in the Nextel Tower, infield, paddock and garage access, preferred parking (first come, first parked basis), souvenir event pin, souvenir program and credential holder (with two-day package only).

The Classic Cycle Club is available for both the Friday night, March 5 Daytona Supercross By Honda and the Saturday, March 6 Daytona 200 By Arai. Two-day packages are $235 per person while a single-day Classic Cycle Club package for the Daytona Supercross By Honda is $120 per person and a single-day package for the Daytona 200 By Arai is $130 per person.

In addition to his appearance in the Classic Cycle Club, Carmichael will participate in an autograph session on Friday night, March 5 between 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Cruise America display inside the AdvanStar International Motorcycle Show, which is located in hospitality village outside the NEXTEL Tower.

To purchase tickets for any of the motorcycle events or the Classic Cycle Club, log on to http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.