While the greatest motocross racer of all time continues to transition to his four-wheel racing career, MX Sports is pleased to announce the return of his namesake award for the 2009 Lucas Oils AMA Pro Motocross series.

The Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger award epitomizes the grit and determination that Carmichael consistently exhibited during his racing career and that made him a 10-time AMA Motocross Champion. The Hard Charger award is given weekly to the one athlete that passes the most competitors in a single moto and is given out at each of the 12 national championship races.

"It feels great knowing that the Hard Charger Award is coming back for 2009," said Carmichael, who races for Kevin Harvick Inc. "It was an honor to have such an incredible award created in my name last season and I truly enjoyed keeping track of which riders overcame adversity to bring home the best finish possible. It takes a true competitor to battle his way to the front during a 35-minute moto, and I look forward to seeing them add another 12 names to the list this season."

"While Ricky is venturing into his new career in stock cars, we are going to continue to build on the legacy he left in motocross," said MX Sports Vice President Davey Coombs. "Ricky was the quintessential motocross competitor with a never-give-up attitude and bulldog-like tenacity. Motocross fans were honored to be graced with such a champion and we created this award in an effort to always remember what made Ricky so great."

Carmichael is the winningest rider in the history of the sport and the most successful AMA Motocross Champion ever. Aptly named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), he retired from the sport after winning a record setting 10 national championships. He is currently pursuing a career in four-wheel racing and is in the midst of his rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Carmichael's career numbers are astonishing in relation to intensity and high demand of motocross, including 102 career AMA Motocross race wins and 150 total victories including AMA Supercross. It is unlikely that any rider will ever match those statistics.