We are finally racing at Daytona. It always seems like we spend months talking about this one race, but the past two weeks have just flown by. I am like a kid in a candy store when I drive into the tunnel here at Daytona. This track just has so much racing history from race cars to bikes. I am one of the fortunate ones who can say they have been for both. I have actually been coming to Daytona for more than 10 years; just so happens most of it was on two wheels and not four. It’s always good to come to a place where it is familiar, so it makes it more comfortable for me.

I flew into Daytona last Wednesday night to grab dinner and hit the sack before the ARCA practice the next day. I got up early on Thursday to attend NASCAR Media Day. I might be the only driver who actually enjoyed it. Basically, you spend several hours in a tent outside the speedway. Every major media outlet is present and you go around the room at your allotted time doing interviews, photo shoots and promo liners. It was great to see all the drivers and get a chance to talk with the media outside the race track. I was only one of four Truck Series drivers invited so I was happy to attend.

I headed straight from Media Day to climb behind the wheel of my No. 4 Monster Energy vehicle. It was my first time to hit the track since the ARCA test in December. The car was good off the truck. We ran a couple of laps and then parked it till qualifying the next day.

Qualifying was set for Friday morning. I went out 43rd and at Daytona that means about an hour after qualifying actually starts because it takes a long time to get around the race track. I was able to lay down a decent lap good enough for 14thspot. After qualifying I hit the gym at the track for a much needed workout. Danica was there working out so we spent a few minutes talking about our plan for the race Saturday. She is a pretty cool girl. Several of the tracks we travel to have a gym in the motorhome lot and it makes it very convenient for drivers and team members to keep up with their workouts. Another reason why I love this sport.

I woke up Saturday ready to race. I don’t really get nervous the day of the race. I am more just ready to get the show on the road. The drivers’ meeting was not until after lunch so I hit the gym that morning to get my run in. Then I went into the garage for a meeting with my crew chief, an autograph session and finally our team meeting before the race.

I will have to admit the ARCA race was as crazy from behind the wheel as it was on TV. I’d like to tell you that was part of the plan — to keep close to Danica for the TV time — but really we were hoping for a top-five finish. As far as Monster Energy is concerned I know they wanted a win but the TV time doesn’t hurt. I can’t believe how many times I’ve seen that finish on TV since then! It was good racing and all of that is good for the fans. For me it was a good race and good experience which is what it’s all about for me right now.

After I had chatted with my crew chief I headed back to the bus to change for the Budweiser Shootout. I headed down pit road to hang out with my former boss and friend, Kevin Harvick, before he climbed into his car. The atmosphere on pit road was crazy for the first Sprint Cup race of the year. They let all the fans out on the infield and man it gets crazy! It’s kinda like an all-star race.

I watched the race from the top of KH’s hauler. Man … did you see that race he drove ? It was so much fun to watch him move on the track. Harv knows the draft! I spent the rest of the night celebrating with KH and D.

I headed home early Sunday morning to spend several days with my family. I watched the Super Bowl and spent time playing with my kids. I have 2-year-old twins which make for lots of fun with the Carmichael household. I picked them up from school on Tuesday afternoon before hopping in the car to drive to Daytona. I live only about four hours from the track, so it’s not a bad drive.

When I arrived in town I drove by our team’s hotel and picked up my crew chief. We went to dinner before heading to New Smyrna Speedway for the late model race. It had rained most of the day in Daytona so the track ended up being too wet for racing. I was so bummed because I really wanted to see some good racing.

Wednesday was filled with media interviews and our first Truck Series practice for my Turner Motorsports team. The truck was really fast and I can’t wait until Friday night.

This season is going to be a lot of fun and you get to come along with me for the ride.

We will meet every week here on NASCAR.COM and I will give you the ins and outs of my season as the driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet.

See you at the races!

“Riding with Ricky” is a weekly feature posted at Nascar.com. If you are interested in keeping up with Ricky between the blogs, you can follow him through the social media world at Twitter and Facebook.