The MotoGP returns to America this weekend for the 12th round of the 2011 racing season. The MotoGP stars will be racing for the second time in the United States this season, but this time they'll be joined by the Moto2 series, the 125cc series, and the Harley XR1200 series.
In the MotoGP class, Casey Stoner will be looking to extend his lead over 2010 champion Jorge Lorenzo. Stoner has never taken a win at Indy, but the Repsol Honda rider has been on fire lately. Stoner has notched nine consecutive podiums and has claimed victory at the last two MotoGP races. If Stoner wins this weekend at Indy, he will tie Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo with 37 career GP wins.
Stoner currently sits 32 points ahead of Lorenzo, but the Yamaha rider is determined to cut down that lead in the Brickyard. Lorenzo has been on the podium at every MotoGP race at Indy and took the victory in 2009.
"I am now in good shape and am ready to regain the ground we lost in Brno, where a mistake put a distance between Casey and I," Lorenzo said. "I hope the good energy I feel in this track will still help us to fight for the title. I am really looking forward to going back to the US and riding my M1."
Dani Pedrosa will also be looking to make up for some points lost at BRNO. Pedrosa won the Indy race in 2010 and will be looking to reclaim a spot on the podium after his DNF at the Czech GP.
"I'm heading to Indianapolis and really looking forward to the race," Pedrosa said. "Last year we had a good race there and I hope I can repeat this again. Obviously the last race result was very disappointing for me and my team after such a good weekend, but we take the positive things from it and move forward."
Valentino Rossi moved into the fourth place spot in the championship after the BRNO round, but the Doctor is still 45 points away from third place rider Andrea Dovizioso.
American Ben Spies will be racing in front of his home crowd for the second time this season. Spies, who is currently sitting in sixth in the MotoGP standings, took his first MotoGP pole position at Indy in 2010. He also earned his best finish of the season with a second place at Indy in 2010.
"I've been looking forward to this race all year," Spies said. "It was pretty crazy last year as a rookie to take pole and a second in the race. We're going to put on a good show for all the home fans and see what we can do."
