When Marc Marquez took the lead for the first time as a Ducati Gresini rider midway through Sunday’s American MotoGP race, his eighth COTA win and first MotoGP victory since 2021 seemed within reach. But moments later, the eight-time world champion crashed to the ground after suddenly losing the front at Turn 11. “We have to look at the positive aspects. We fought in the front group, we tried to lead the race. But unfortunately the feeling today was not the best,” said Marquez, before revealing that a front brake problem forced him out. He pushed the handle several times and went into the corners and finally caught it. “I had a lot of problems with the front brakes. So I said, ‘OK, let’s try to lead the race and see if it gets better.’ But when I got to turn 11, I felt bad again and had to brake 3-4 times. “That’s why I increased the speed and lost the front part. But apart from that the feeling was good all weekend. We continued to improve, in the warm-up we made a change that helped me too, so I’m happy.” Marquez had been a key player in the ten-lap battle up to that point, losing his side leg during initial contact with Jack Miller, then being lucky to stay upright when a failed attempt to lead the race resulted in contact with Jorge Martin. It is impossible to say whether Marquez would have been able to stop Maverick Vinales, who raced from eleventh place to victory, without crashing. But the 31-year-old admitted he was “rushed” after “recovering twice”. “Unfortunately I went away in the first corner [due to contact between other drivers] and a lot of drivers passed me. So I recovered twice,” Marks said. “I recovered once, but then I had to slow down a lot to avoid hitting Martin. Then Bagnia overtook me again. That’s why I came back again. So there was rhythm, there was level and there was speed. This is the most important thing. “Now we are going to Jerez, we will continue to improve and see what we can do there. Step by step we are getting closer to the guys at the front.” Marquez, runner-up to Maverick Vinales in Saturday’s sprint, was still the dominant GP23 driver before his crash. The number 93 has now dropped to eighth in the world championship, 44 points behind Jorge Martin, who finished fourth on Sunday.
Full Results: 2024 NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway
The 2024 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway brought NASCAR Cup Series fans a dose of excitement and drama. With 267 laps of action around the one-and-a-half mile oval, the drivers showed skill and determination in their pursuit of victory. Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott was the big winner of the race, taking his first win of the season. Elliott overcame a competitive and tough field to cross the finish line in first place, cementing his position as one of NASCAR’s top drivers. RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski was second, with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron third. The battle for the podium was tight, with 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez rounding out the top five. Behind them, Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch and Carson Hochevar finished in the top ten, showing the competitiveness and balance between the teams in this race. The race was marked by a series of incidents and reversals, with a total of 16 yellow flags flying over 267 laps. This tested the drivers’ ability to deal with the changing track conditions and challenges that arose throughout the race. Kyle Larson dominated the first stage, leading 62 laps and taking the stage win. However, luck was not on his side in the second stage when a mechanical problem with the car forced him to make an unscheduled pit stop. Despite trying to recover, Larsson finished 20th at the end of the race. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain took advantage of the opportunity to shine to take his first stage win of the season in the second stage. His impressive performance highlighted his ability as a driver and added more excitement to the race. However, the undisputed highlight of the day was Chase Elliott, whose victory put him back on the road to glory in the NASCAR Cup Series. His undeniable determination and skill led him to victory, leaving an indelible mark on the 2024 race at Texas Motor Speedway. As the NASCAR season progresses, fans can look forward to more action and excitement on the tracks. The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway proved to be an exciting and unpredictable race that highlighted the intensity and fierce competition that characterizes the NASCAR Cup Series.
Maverick Vinales Makes History with Aprilia Win: “Not Many Riders Can Achieve This”
Maverick Viñales made history in the world of MotoGP with an iconic win at the American Grand Prix with Aprilia. Becoming the first driver to win races for three different manufacturers, Vinales demonstrated his exceptional ability and versatility on the track. The Spanish driver started the race at a disadvantage, dropping to 11th place after a difficult start. However, his determination and skill stood out as he produced an impressive comeback, putting in a superb performance as he outplayed his opponents with speed and agility. Viñales’ race in the Americas was a true test of his skill and endurance. After a difficult start, he quickly established himself among the race leaders, outpacing his rivals and delivering impressive performances every time. The most memorable moment of the race was when Viñales overtook rookie Pedro Acosta for the lead, establishing his authority on the track and securing victory for Aprilia. His exemplary performance was crowned when he set the fastest lap of the race, demonstrating his skill and dominance on the track. After the race, Vinales expressed his satisfaction with the historic victory, saying: “Not every rider can achieve this. I am incredibly proud and grateful to be part of this achievement with Aprilia.” His win not only cemented his place in MotoGP history, but also highlighted Aprilia as a force to be reckoned with in the competition. Viñales’ performance at the American Grand Prix was a testament to his exceptional skill as a driver and his ability to overcome adverse challenges. Her historic win inspired fans around the world and reminded her of the power of talent, determination and perseverance. While Vinales celebrates his remarkable win, his achievement is also a milestone for April, showing the team’s progress and competitiveness on the MotoGP stage. His victory not only elevates his status as one of today’s best racers, but solidifies Aprilia’s position as a force in the world of motorcycle racing. As the MotoGP season progresses, fans are waiting with bated breath to see if Viñales continues to surprise on track and if Aprilia can keep up the impressive momentum. One thing is certain: Viñales’ historic victory at the American Grand Prix will be remembered as a defining moment in the world of MotoGP.
Chase Elliott Secures Overtime Victory in Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400
Hendrick Motorsports team driver Chase Elliott scored a thrilling victory in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 race held at Texas Motor Speedway. This was Elliott’s first victory of the season and came in the ninth round of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. The race in Texas turned into a test of endurance, with 16 yellow flags waved over the 267 laps. Brad Keselowski and William Byron finished second and third, respectively, after 267 laps. Rounding out the top five were Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez. The other top five finishers were Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch and Carson Hocevar. Championship leader Kyle Larson finished in 20th place, in a race that had ups and downs for the driver. Larson had secured pole position in three consecutive races and stood out in the first phase of this season. However, during the first round of pit stops, under green flag, the Joe Gibbs cars faced several problems. Both the #54 car, driven by Ty Gibbs, and the #19 car, driven by Martin Truex Jr., had to stop twice in the first 80 laps due to errors by their respective teams in the pits. During the second phase of the race, on lap 101, Christopher Bell spun but managed to regain control of his car. However, further back in the pack, on the same lap, Alex Bowman and John Hunter Nemechek collided and ended up spinning into the grass along the main straight. Bowman was forced to abandon the race and enter the garage after the collision. Carson Hocevar caused the third yellow flag of the day on lap 114 when the rookie spun shortly after the track returned to green flag conditions. While the race was under the third yellow flag, championship leader Larson reported a flat tire. However, the entire right rear tire ended up coming loose from the car. Larson had to return to the pit area to get a new set of tires and fuel. Unfortunately, he also received a two-lap penalty for the mechanical problem. After leading for 67 laps during the First Stage and securing victory in this stage, Larson faced difficulties during the remainder of the race. Ryan Blaney started Stage Two in the lead in his #12 Ford, but did not stop during the yellow flag period at the end of the first stage. There were five yellow flags during Stage Two, and Ross Chastain emerged victorious at the end after completing 165 laps of the 267 total.
