MotoGP Back in the US, But Not Indy Yet

This weekend marks one of the best races on the MotoGP calendar…the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Any American who loves motorcycle racing would love to go to this race.  But, if they logistically cannot go, they always watch.  There is so much history at that track even outside of motorcycle racing that creates the lure for people to witness the event.

Who will win the race this year though remains to be seen.  The last five races at the track have featured five different winners. My guess is that you would have to go with Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa or Jorge Lorenzo, because they are the ones tearing it up right now.  (Yeah, even Pedrosa who has recovered nicely since fracturing his right collarbone earlier this year.)

But, there is one driver who has proven he can win this year who could contend for a victory on Sunday.  And because he’s from America, he will be given an extra push.  Ben Spies won at the “Cathedral” in the Netherlands and has sustained his success since then with two consecutive top-five finishes.  Keep your eyes out for this kid.

Perhaps, maybe this is the race fellow American Nicky Hayden gets back on track too.  He won here in 2005 and 2006 and has not won since that race in 2006.  (It would be amazing if he did win though because Ducati has essentially given up on this season to look ahead to next year.)

Of course, besides watching the Americans, the focus will rightfully be on two of the people I mentioned earlier: Stoner and Lorenzo.  Stoner has won four races already this year, but ONLY leads Lorenzo by 15 points.  This race could drastically help one of them in this chase for the world championship.

And if that wasn’t enough to make you follow the race…last weekend’s 125cc race resulted in LITERALLY a TIE!!!  The margin of “victory” was 0.000 seconds.  Can’t get any closer than that.  So, if you don’t want to watch the main course, you can be sure to catch the appetizer.