Ricky Carmichael’s 2022 Daytona Supercross course revealed

By Dec 7, 2021, 11:57 PM EST
2022 Daytona Supercross
Feld Entertainment
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In March, 2021, Eli Tomac tied Ricky Carmichael for the most Monster Energy Supercross wins at Daytona International Speedway and if Tomac wants to take sole possession of that honor in 2022, he’s going to have to outsmart Carmichael one more time. This week, Supercross and Daytona revealed the layout of the .625-mile temporary circuit layout that will fill up the frontstretch of Daytona in Round 9 on the 17-race race schedule on Saturday March 5.

This marks the 15th consecutive time that NBC analyst Carmichael has designed the track.

Carmichael will not make things easy on Tomac or the remainder of the field. The 2022 course boasts 57 obstacles.

“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years that I have been designing the Daytona Supercross track,” said Carmichael in a release. “Every year we try to make it better for both the fans and riders, and for 2022, I believe we did just that with some new twists.

“First off, I’m glad we were able to get the over-under bridge back because it opens up the options on the course. That and the split lane are what I am looking most forward to seeing along with the famous sand section that the fans always love to see. The Daytona Supercross in March is going to be the only one in my home State of Florida so I am very excited about that as well. It’s going to be a great track and I can’t wait to watch and see how it all unfolds this year.”

The bridge that has claimed Carmichael’s excitement will give fans an opportunity to watch as one part of the field navigates over the conveyance while another part of the field races under, providing a stunning visual – especially since the bridge will be located closer to the tri-oval grandstands than it has been in previous years.

Another returning feature – one that has been a recurring staple of the course – is the beach sand section that typically provides one of the greatest challenges to riders.

A high-rising finish line will be parallel with the NASCAR finish line.

“Ricky has done it yet again with his incredible, never-seen-before course that will amaze fans in attendance for the 2022 Daytona Supercross,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Couple its challenging design along with the historical ramifications of the anticipated event will make the iconic event under the lights one for the ages.”

‘Historical’ is an apt usage where Daytona is concerned. The TT circuit on the infield dates back to 1971, making it the longest continuous SX race in America.

As for Tomac’s odds of claiming sole possession of the Daytona record? One has to believe they are high since he won the last three editions of this race as well as five of the last six.

Also returning in 2022 will be the 12th annual Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross on Sunday, March 6 and Monday, March 7.

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Ford Mustang GT3 test has Austin Cindric dreaming of Daytona: ‘I want to drive that car’

By Mar 22, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT
Cindric Ford GT3 test
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
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Austin Cindric wasn’t the “mystery” test driver behind the wheel of the new Ford Mustang GT3 at Sebring International Raceway, but the Team Penske driver desperately wanted to be.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, an amateur sports car driver himself, made the big reveal via a Tuesday tweet that provided the first video evidence of the GT3 Mustang on track.

“I’ve watched the video in question about a million times,” Cindric said Wednesday during a Ford Performance Zoom news conference to promote NASCAR’s first road course weekend of the season at Circuit of the Americas. “Definitely exciting times for sure. I want to drive that car. It suits my experience level and also the relationships that I have.”

Ford will enter the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season with its GT3 Mustang, entering a two-car factory effort (that will be managed by Multimatic) in GTD Pro and making customer cars available in the GT Daytona category.

That increases the likelihood of seeing more NASCAR drivers crossing over to IMSA. Cindric has been the only full-time Cup driver in the Rolex 24 at Daytona the past two years, but Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook has said the GT3 Mustang will provide more opportunities.

Ford has used its GT4 Mustang as a NASCAR driver development tool in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Harrison Burton and Zane Smith combining to win the season opener at Daytona International Speedway in January.

“We’re excited about the Next Gen car and the new architecture there and the similarities between that car and GT3 and even GT4 cars,” Rushbrook said at the announcement of the Ford GT3 program in January 2022 at Daytona. “We think it’s a great opportunity and to do be able to do that in a 24-hour race and get NASCAR drivers even more time is something we need to consider taking advantage of that opportunity.”

Given his sports car background, Cindric probably still would be in the Rolex 24 regardless. He has eight IMSA starts since the 2017 season opener at Daytona, racing a Lexus RCF GT3 and Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT category. The 2022 Daytona 500 winner made his second LMP2 start this year with Rick Ware Racing.

But Cindric’s preference naturally would be in a Ford, particularly with sports car racing enjoying convergence and crossovers in both GT and prototype racing.

“It’s an exciting time in GT racing, just as it is now for prototype racing with a lot of new regulations and manufacturers building new GT3 cars,” he said. “And also the opportunity with WEC (the World Endurance Championship) and Le Mans and how that all lines up for that category of car. It’s definitely an exciting time. I want to be as much of a part of that as possible.”

Though those odds seemingly will increase with multiple Ford entries in the Rolex 24 field next year, Cindric said NASCAR drivers still have to put in the networking to land rides as he has in recent years.

“Now how (the GT3 Mustang) relates to specifically NASCAR drivers and how often they want to be in the Rolex, could it be an influence? Absolutely, as far as the tie-in with the manufacturer,” Cindric said. “But the challenge and the drive and the logistics of getting an opportunity for a race like the Rolex 24 will be just as challenging as it always is to find your one-off ride for the race. At least from my experience, that’s what I still anticipate.”

It turned out the “mystery” test driver wasn’t from NASCAR (Farley revealed the driver to be 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Joey Hand after a fan asked whether it was Joey Logano).

But Cindric believes there could be more Cup drivers — and perhaps himself — behind the wheel of Mustang GT3s in the future.

“There’s definitely more of a pathway than I think there would be before as far as Ford drivers are concerned,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to drive that thing. It’s obviously a great looking car. That’s the first box you’ve got to check. And it’s cool (to have) a guy like Jim Farley, no doubt he’s a racer just as much as he is steering the ship for Ford. It’s cool to see he’s just as excited as the rest of us about it.”