That is Nicky Hayden in that photo. He is from nearby Kentucky, so the paddock call him the "Kentucky Kid." He just signed another two-year deal with Ducati, yet days ago Valentino Rossi, arguably one of the greatest riders ever, decided to leave Ducati after two miserable years. Valentino returns to Yamaha for 2013.

MotoGP is the top-sized class, but the best racing can be found in Moto2 (600cc four-cylinder motors) and Moto3 (250cc single cylinders). It is true that the MotoGP bikes are fastest—the Ducati will easily surpass 200mph at Indy—but you will see daring maneuvers and fairing-bashing in Moto2 and Moto3, albeit at measly sub-200mph speeds. Some of the Moto3 races this year have been amongst the most exciting I have seen in a very long time.

The crowds are still small-but-growing for the MotoGP series. Check it out while you can before it gets truly popular!