INDIANAPOLIS -
They don't even bother to refer to it as the rain. There's something more sinister.
"The hurricane," is how Colin Edwards described the weather that ripped through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last September as the Moto GP riders got their first race condition test of the historic track.
By the time the Indiana thunderstorm ripped through the track, taking with it some of the padding on the walls and tents was pushing around fans and riders, the race was called with eight laps left, and Valentino Rossi was declared the winner.
But even he hopes that last year doesn't repeat itself.
"On Sunday, if we have good weather, all the crowd will see another type of show," said the defending Moto GP champion.
Read: Nicky Hayden Chats With IndySportsNation.com's Wes Woodward
At the very least they'll see the 250cc and 500cc race, both of which were casualties of the weather, which actually was worse before the main class race began.
"It was difficult for everyone on the track," said rider Dani Pedroia. "We hope we can have the three races this time and the fans can enjoy all the classes."
Though the weather prevented that in 2008 it didn't prevent the fans from showing up, as 90,000 still found their way into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, raising hope that more will come through the turnstiles in the event's second year.
"I think everybody was surprised at how many people did show up," said Edwards of the fan support in 2008. "Looking Saturday at the weather forecast you would think nobody was gonna be here and everyone would be running for cover, but they showed up and they were troopers."
Read: More IndySportsNation.com Racing Coverage
It shouldn't be as much of a test for the drivers and the fans since temperatures will be in the low 70s with sunny skies overhead, which the drivers hope will finally show the track's true motorcycle potential. Rossi said that the grip is one of the best in the circuit, and many others say that a clear racetrack should increase the level and speeds throughout the weekend.
"I'm looking forward to the weekend, I like the track and I like the place," said driver Nicky Hayden, who grew up three-and-a-half hours away in Owensboro, KY. "Being in front of my homecrowd is always worth a little something.
"The hurricane," is how Colin Edwards described the weather that ripped through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last September as the Moto GP riders got their first race condition test of the historic track.
By the time the Indiana thunderstorm ripped through the track, taking with it some of the padding on the walls and tents was pushing around fans and riders, the race was called with eight laps left, and Valentino Rossi was declared the winner.
But even he hopes that last year doesn't repeat itself.
"On Sunday, if we have good weather, all the crowd will see another type of show," said the defending Moto GP champion.
Read: Nicky Hayden Chats With IndySportsNation.com's Wes Woodward
At the very least they'll see the 250cc and 500cc race, both of which were casualties of the weather, which actually was worse before the main class race began.
"It was difficult for everyone on the track," said rider Dani Pedroia. "We hope we can have the three races this time and the fans can enjoy all the classes."
Though the weather prevented that in 2008 it didn't prevent the fans from showing up, as 90,000 still found their way into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, raising hope that more will come through the turnstiles in the event's second year.
"I think everybody was surprised at how many people did show up," said Edwards of the fan support in 2008. "Looking Saturday at the weather forecast you would think nobody was gonna be here and everyone would be running for cover, but they showed up and they were troopers."
Read: More IndySportsNation.com Racing Coverage
It shouldn't be as much of a test for the drivers and the fans since temperatures will be in the low 70s with sunny skies overhead, which the drivers hope will finally show the track's true motorcycle potential. Rossi said that the grip is one of the best in the circuit, and many others say that a clear racetrack should increase the level and speeds throughout the weekend.
"I'm looking forward to the weekend, I like the track and I like the place," said driver Nicky Hayden, who grew up three-and-a-half hours away in Owensboro, KY. "Being in front of my homecrowd is always worth a little something.
