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Town declares Ricky Carmichael Day

By Katelyn Gendron-List, Staff Writer

SOUTHWICK On June 10, Ricky Carmichael, one of the most decorated cyclists in the American Motocross Racing, and eight-time winner at the Motocross 338 in Southwick, was awarded with a proclamation from the Southwick Board of Selectmen declaring it "Ricky Carmichael Day."

"When I heard I was super pumped," said Carmichael. "I think that this is an amazing honor."

Carmichael was awarded this proclamation due to the efforts of a single fan, Matt Loncrini, whose dedication to his favorite racer compelled him to find a way to honor Carmichael.

"I was listening to a webcast from a Supercross race in Atlanta and they were issuing citations to Ricky," said Loncrini. "And I looked at my aunt and asked if we could do that when he came here to Southwick, but do it bigger and better and knock their socks off!"

According to Loncrini, he worked tirelessly with Tony Gardea at Next Level Sports Management and AMA Pro Racing as well as Team Suzuki, Ralph Pittello, track manager of Southwick Motocross 338 and Diane Peebles-Pittello, owner of Motocross 338, Inc., in order to have the Southwick Board of Selectmen declare Ricky Carmichael Day.

"What better way to celebrate him than to make the whole day for him," Loncrini said.

Loncrini went on to state that Carmichael is a very down-to-earth person who always gives back to the fans no matter what happens on the track. Loncrini stated that he felt that it was his duty to give back to the sport that he loves so much as he races on the armature circuit in New England Motocross as well as New England Sports Committee Motocross.

Fred Arnold II, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the town of Southwick, stated that he was more than happy to present Carmichael with the proclamation recognizing his achievements.

"He has done really well in motocross and needs to be recognized," said Arnold.

Carmichael stated that he was more than happy to come back to Southwick and that a big reason was because of the track itself. Carmichael, who was raised in Florida where there are predominately sand tracks, stated that he loves Southwick because it is a natural sand track.

"It's phenomenal to have him feel at home at this track," said Pittello. "He's excelled at the sport and the fans have always enjoyed watching him come and race here."

Carmichael raced and won at Southwick for his last time on Sunday. Carmichael picked up his 99th win in AMA Motocross at Motoees Southwick National which is round three of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship. Next year Carmichael will transition into stockcar racing as he has signed a multiyear deal with Ginn Racing.

"I'm nervous," said Carmichael of his transition to NASCAR. "But I'm looking forward to getting it going and to put motocross behind me."

With Carmichael moving to NASCAR the question of his fan base is unchallenged as they are here to stay.

"Even though he'll be racing in the stockcar circuit I'll still remain a fan as big as ever without a doubt," said Loncrini.