U.S. riders Colin Edwards (Houston, Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Owensboro, Ky., Ducati Team) will compete in the Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP race this weekend. Edwards is fifth and Hayden is 14th in the MotoGP standings after 11 races this season.
In addition, Cameron Beaubier (Roseville, Calif., Red Bull KTM Moto Sport) is expected to race in the 125cc race despite suffering a collarbone injury Aug. 15 during the Czech Republic Grand Prix weekend. Beaubier is tied for 26th in the 125cc standings after 10 races this season. Americans Barrett Long (Miami) and Miles Thornton (Columbus, Ga.) are also competing as wild-card entries in the 250cc and 125cc classes at this event.
"It's Indianapolis. All the memories I have as a kid growing up and watching the Indy 500, and now to be able to go there and ride on that track --just to ride on it, much less race on it, I think is pretty special in itself,” said Edwards. “OK, we're not doing the full four corners (of the oval), but we're using part of the track, running over the bricks. Just being in that area is quite special."
Edwards said he was “quite impressed” by the track in his first run on the IMS infield road course last year
“It's actually a track that you don't feel like you're running around an infield,” he said. “Of course, we know Indy's huge. The track itself is just massive. But there's plenty of real estate there so you don't feel confined. That's the main thing."
Added Hayden: "Indianapolis is probably the race I look forward to most. It's just three hours from my house, and MotoGP now is becoming very popular.
“Last year it was a great weekend for me, the crowd was great, and Indy did a great job in organizing their first race and made us proud of it. I would love to have another good weekend like that one. So far we have had a tough season, and I would like to go there in a more confident mood. But it is what it is, and for sure we'll go there and just do the absolute maximum.
“I like the track itself, even though it's quite flat. The most challenging thing is that it has different kinds of asphalt on different parts of the track, so it will be a challenge to find out where there is grip, where not, and to find the best setup. Hopefully we won't have another hurricane! The weather should be fine, so we will see how it goes.
“Last but not least, at Indy I will wear a special helmet, but this time it really is ‘special.' It will carry the ‘Make-A-Wish' logo and other special designs, and after the race we will auction it off. All the money will go toward the (Make-A-Wish) Foundation, which helps kids' dreams come true. There will be pictures up on my Web site to see it at nickyhayden.com. I have worked with this charity for five years now, and it always feels good to help out such a solid cause. And yes, I have already made my wish for the weekend!"
Click here to visit the
Red Bull GP Guest Guide – your one-stop source for everything you need to know about this year's event, including ticket information, event schedules, guest services and more.