Moto3 riders Tony Arbolino and Gabriel Martinez come over the hill at Turn 10 with the iconic COTA tower in the background.

Moto3 riders Tony Arbolino and Gabriel Martinez come over the hill at Turn 10 with the iconic COTA tower in the background.

Aspar Mohindra Moto3's Albert Arenas coming out of turn 10 during Friday's Moto3 practice session.

Aspar Mohindra Moto3’s Albert Arenas coming out of turn 10 during Friday’s Moto3 practice session.

Karel Abraham and Jack Miller crest the hill at turn 10 during the first MotoGP practice session under cloudy skies on Friday morning.

Karel Abraham and Jack Miller crest the hill at turn 10 during the first MotoGP practice session under cloudy skies on Friday morning.

Fan favorite Valentino Rossi and Jonas Folger come around turn 10 during MotoGP practice session one.

Fan favorite Valentino Rossi and Jonas Folger come around turn 10 during MotoGP practice session one.

Alvaro Bautista and Jack Miller come around turn nine during MotoGP practice session one.

Alvaro Bautista and Jack Miller come around turn nine during MotoGP practice session one.

Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez comes around turn 19 during MotoGP practice two.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez comes around turn 19 during MotoGP practice two.

Red Bull KTM's Bradley Smith comes around turn 19 during MotoGP practice two.

Red Bull KTM’s Bradley Smith comes around turn 19 during MotoGP practice two.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa exits turn 19 during MotoGP practice session two.

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa exits turn 19 during MotoGP practice session two.

Movistar Yamaha's Maverick Vinales passes the COTA tower at turn 18 during MotoGP practice two.

Movistar Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales passes the COTA tower at turn 18 during MotoGP practice two.

VIP ticket holders taking advantage of the pit lane walk at the end of Friday's practice sessions.

VIP ticket holders taking advantage of the pit lane walk at the end of Friday’s practice sessions.

Fans crowding around the garages of their favorite teams during Friday's pit lane walk.

Fans crowding around the garages of their favorite teams during Friday’s pit lane walk.

Monster Yamaha's Jonas Folger between turns 16 and seventeen as seen from the COTA tower viewing platform against the tracks signature red, white, and blue run-off area.

Monster Yamaha’s Jonas Folger between turns 16 and seventeen as seen from the COTA tower viewing platform against the tracks signature red, white, and blue run-off area.

Marc Marquez rounding turn 16 as seen from the COTA tower viewing platform.

Marc Marquez rounding turn 16 as seen from the COTA tower viewing platform.

Octo Pramac Racing's Scott Redding at turn 16 during MotoGP practice three.

Octo Pramac Racing’s Scott Redding at turn 16 during MotoGP practice three.

Kids can partake of some lite racing on mini-motorized scooters as part of Dacati Island in the grand plaza area.

Kids can partake of some lite racing on mini-motorized scooters as part of Dacati Island in the grand plaza area.

Ducati Island offers Ducati owners an opportunity to park inside the main plaza area and a chance to gawk at the hundreds of different models brought to the race including this old gem.

Ducati Island offers Ducati owners an opportunity to park inside the main plaza area and a chance to gawk at the hundreds of different models brought to the race including this old gem.

The Fan Zone are includes tents from numerous manufacturers showcasing their latest bikes, accessories, and opportunities for demo rides.

The Fan Zone are includes tents from numerous manufacturers showcasing their latest bikes, accessories, and opportunities for demo rides.

Fans taking in the Southeastern view from the top of the COTA tower.

Fans taking in the Southeastern view from the top of the COTA tower.

Kimberly Dunn performs at the Ducati Island stage on Saturday

Kimberly Dunn performs at the Ducati Island stage on Saturday

Cooler temperatures on Saturday meant maintaining grip with the tires proved difficult resulting in several minor crashes during qualifying. Here Dani Pedrosa gets back on his bike at turn one after a spill.

Cooler temperatures on Saturday meant maintaining grip with the tires proved difficult resulting in several minor crashes during qualifying. Here Dani Pedrosa gets back on his bike at turn one after a spill.

Aprilia Racing Team's Aleix Espargo retired from qualifying after his spill at turn one.

Aprilia Racing Team’s Aleix Espargo retired from qualifying after his spill at turn one.

Red Bull KTM's Bradley Smith barrels towards turn two during qualifying.

Red Bull KTM’s Bradley Smith barrels towards turn two during qualifying.

The COTA tower under a perfect, cloudless sky on the morning of the race.

The COTA tower under a perfect, cloudless sky on the morning of the race.

Team Suzuki Ecstar's Andrea Iannone speeds into turn 18 during Sunday's MotoGP warm up session.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone speeds into turn 18 during Sunday’s MotoGP warm up session.

Fans got to experience some truly amazing Central Texas weather for the races on Sunday.

Fans got to experience some truly amazing Central Texas weather for the races on Sunday.

Kenny Roberts Jr. was inducted as a MotoGP legend on Sunday, and took an "honor lap" with fellow American MotoGP Legend Kevin Schwantz.

Kenny Roberts Jr. was inducted as a MotoGP legend on Sunday, and took an "honor lap" with fellow American MotoGP Legend Kevin Schwantz.

Fans in the turn one grandstand just prior to the race.

Fans in the turn one grandstand just prior to the race.

Riders turning through turn one on the warmup lap prior to the start of the race.

Riders turning through turn one on the warmup lap prior to the start of the race.

Marc Marquez heading towards turn two during the opening laps of the race.

Marc Marquez heading towards turn two during the opening laps of the race.

Johann Zarco trying to keep up with Valentino Rossi during the beginning of the race.

Johann Zarco trying to keep up with Valentino Rossi during the beginning of the race.

Andrea Iannone exiting turn one.

Andrea Iannone exiting turn one.

A view of the Austin skyline from the hill at turn one as the riders head through turn 19 during the race.

A view of the Austin skyline from the hill at turn one as the riders head through turn 19 during the race.

Turn 15 grandstands.

Turn 15 grandstands.

Andrea Iannone approaching the finish line on the next to last lap of the race.

Andrea Iannone approaching the finish line on the next to last lap of the race.

Marc Marquez about 50 yards from securing his fifth straight Grand Prix of the Americas win.

Marc Marquez about 50 yards from securing his fifth straight Grand Prix of the Americas win.

Valentino Rossi just before he crossed the finish line in second place ahead of Dani Pedrosa in the background.

Valentino Rossi just before he crossed the finish line in second place ahead of Dani Pedrosa in the background.

The race marshall waving the checkered flag at the end of the race.

The race marshall waving the checkered flag at the end of the race.

Race marshalls waving their various flags—normally used to signal race conditions—at the conclusion of the race.

Race marshalls waving their various flags—normally used to signal race conditions—at the conclusion of the race.

Marc Marquez celebrating his victory on the podium, raising his vaguely longhorn-shaped trophy above his head.

Marc Marquez celebrating his victory on the podium, raising his vaguely longhorn-shaped trophy above his head.

The winners spraying each other, and anyone in their proximity with champaign at the end of the podium ceremony.

The winners spraying each other, and anyone in their proximity with champaign at the end of the podium ceremony.

The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas takes place each spring at Circuit of the Americas just outside of Austin. The track hosts several major races each calendar year, as well as many smaller races—some of which are even free to attend—numerous concerts and music festivals including Wille Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, track days, and bicycle rides. Many of these events can be found on our statewide events calendar.

 

From the May 2017 issue

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