2009 Indy MotoGP: Texas Tornado

America's greatest hope for MotoGP success at Indianapolis is Yamaha's Colin Edwards, leading points-getter to date for the two-rider Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad. Fellow countryman Nicky Hayden, who overcame a broken heel to finish second in the inaugural Indy GP while facing driving rain and wind, has struggled this season to come to terms with the factory Ducati. He has a one-year contract with the Italian bike-maker.

Just two years ago, four Americans—Edwards, Hayden, John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr.—were competing in GP racing's top category. Roberts Jr., the 2000 500cc world champion, retired partway through the 2007 season, and Hopkins lost his rich ride when Kawasaki pulled out of the series at the end of last season. He has since found work with the Stiggy Honda effort in World Superbike.

Edwards is teamed on YZR-M1s with Britain's James Toseland, both of whom are two-time WSB champions. The pair controversially switched chief engineers during the off-season; Edwards now works with Frenchman Guy Coulon. Edwards, long associated with Michelin, is also transitioning to spec-tire-provider Bridgestone. So, on some level, all tracks this year are new to him.