Team Texas!
I just heard the news about Ben Spies and Colin Edwards joining forces at Tech 3 in 2010, and it’s pretty cool. Especially since it’s the first time that MotoGP sported an all-American lineup since Kenny Roberts Jr. and John Hopkins in 2005!
Three-time AMA Superbike champion Ben is close to securing his first non-American nmotorcycle championship in the World Superbike ranks, which everyone said was the first step for Ben to be recognized as a MotoGP rider. So far he’s claimed 12 wins in 24 races and sits just three points behind Haga, who is perhaps the most experienced rider in WSB today.
After seeing Colin Edwards post a podium this season at Donington, it will be interesting to see how well the Texan duo attacks next season. Plus there’s good news for each of them: They’ll be able to ride on the plane from Europe to Texas together!
Here’s a photo of my wife and I in front of Ben at the first Red Bull Indianapolis GP in September 2008, when he finished sixth in a wild-card ride for Suzuki.
Jarrod
In less than one week, MotoGP riders will take to the Indianapolis MotoGP circuit for the second annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP. We can all pray that this year’s weather will be better!
(Silence)
OK, MotoGP was on its “summer vacation” in late July and early August, and both Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards have been able to kick back a bit back home in the States. Nicky’s been off his game this season, but Edwards recorded a podium in July at Donington and could earn his first MotoGP victory at Indianapolis.
Check out Colin’s message to fans about this season and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP by clicking here.
But to win at Indy, he’ll have to outpace the Fiat Yamaha riders Rossi and Lorenzo. It seems that the two of them have owned the field in each outing this season. In Brno, especially, you could see how competitive the teammates are when Rossi pressured Lorenzo into a wipeout under braking. It’s racing, good racing!
Over the next week, the IMS staff will place the final touches on the race course. Just a month ago, 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup cars and drivers competed 400 miles on the oval. Next week, three classes of world elite riders will compete on the road course.
Leading up to the event, the festivities will be aplenty. Motorcycles on Meridian downtown and XBL freestyle stunt shows in nearby Broad Ripple Village on Friday and Saturday night, AMA Flat Track racing Saturday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and three full days of activity on at IMS, with all sorts of cool stuff happening on and off the track.
Tickets are still available at imstix.com!
Jarrod