Moto GP
October features more world-class Grand Prix motorcycle racing with ESPN's continuing LIVE coverage of MotoGP. This month sees the series head to Japan, Australia and Malaysia, delivering the last full month of racing before the season-closer in Valencia in November. Twin Ring Motegi in Japan is a major attraction for motor sports fans all year round, while Phillip Island in Australia is steeped in motor racing tradition, dating back to the 1920s, and the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is built for speed.
After claiming this season's first ten races, Spanish rider Marc Márquez was finally pushed off the podium in the Czech Republic, as Spain's Dani Pedrosa took the win at Brno, followed by countryman Jorge Lorenzo and Italy's Valentino Rossa, the only three riders with any kind of chance of catching Márquez before he claims a second consecutive series title.
ESPN and ESPN2 present full coverage, airing LIVE, on short-turnaround or taped, of the 18-race MotoGP season. Coverage this month airs LIVE.
Schedule: LIVE coverage
Oct 11 11:00pm Grand Prix of Japan - Twin Ring Motegi
Oct 18 11:00pm Australian Grand Prix - Phillip Island
Oct 26 02:00am Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix - Sepang
NHRA Drag Racing
The fuel-injected thrills never stop as NHRA Drag Racing continues on ESPN2
ESPN2's season coverage of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues in October with coverage from the Countdown to the Championship, the season-ending playoffs where the top 10 drivers vie for championships in the major divisions over the season's final six races. This month's Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania set the stage for November's final two races and the crowning of this year's champions.
Top Fuel has been especially competitive this season, with Doug Kalitta and Spencer Massey giving three former champions - Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown and defending series champion Shawn Langdon - a run for their money. In Funny Car, Robert Hight has been extremely sharp, as have Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson and Alexis De Joria, but it is the legendary John Force grabbing headlines as he vies for a record 17th world championship.
ESPN2's season coverage of the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series includes both qualifying (generally on Sundays) and race day action; final eliminations are featured at each stop. Races air on short-turnaround. Coverage this month features the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals airing from Reading, Pennsylvania on October 5 at 8:00pm.