Everyone loves a good Memorial Day Weekend barbecue, but what about a thrilling Memorial Day Weekend AMA Pro Flat Track race? We’ve got nine reasons why the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds should be exactly where you find yourself Sunday. For tickets, call (217) 753-8866 or visit www.illinoismda.com for more information.

1. Troy Bayliss – Just four tracks will see the Australian road racing superstar strap on a steel shoe and test his immense motorcycle racing skills against the best flat track racers in the world in 2015. Springfield will get to see the three-time World Superbike champion twice, but fans who make it out to the Illinois State Fairgrounds Sunday and again Sept. 6, will have the unique ability to witness first-hand how much he improves this summer. This is also a rare state-side opportunity to snag a Troy Bayliss autograph during the open pit session from noon CT to 12:45 p.m. CT.

2. X Games preview – On June 4, every flat track fan around the world should be watching the X Games on ESPN for Harley-Davidson Flat Track. The Springfield Mile is one of two opportunities, along with the Sacramento Mile, for fans to see the X Games athletes in person, shake their hands and get their autographs during the open pit session, before the sport debuts in the action sports showcase.

3. Yamaha welcome party – One of the biggest brands in the motorcycle industry is entering the AMA Pro Racing foray once again. Cory Texter will ride the No. 65 Yamaha FZ-07 in what will be the machine’s professional debut. Hopes are high for the bike, built by veteran Babe DeMay, and Texter has been fast at the Springfield Mile before. Years from now, telling the kids and grandkids you got to see the Yamaha FZ-07’s debut could be something special.

4. History – The Springfield Mile is the crown jewel of the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule. Racing at the hallowed fairgrounds is special enough, but winning is something few people can even begin to describe. The first professional race as we know it, took place on Aug. 22, 1937. Lester Hillbish won that, and started a tradition like no other in flat track. The list of names of who has prevailed at Springfield is a who’s-who of motorcycle racing; names like Carr, Springsteen, Graham, Nixon, Parker, Shobert… Springfield isn’t only a legendary track, it’s a track where legends are made.

5. Ducati, Ducati – Not just one beautiful Scrambler-inspired Ducati, but two! Troy Bayliss will ride the No. 21I and Johnny Lewis will ride the No. 10. The eyes of the world will be on Springfield to see how Bayliss and the Ducatis do. Love motorcycles, love racing and want to see more brands on the track? This is your race.

6. Road racer invasion – A gentleman by the name of Troy Bayliss is racing, but he’s not the only highly accomplished road racer who will be throwing a leg over a powerful twin and ripping around the Springfield Mile. Two-time defending DAYTONA 200 winner Danny Eslick is also in the field. Eslick won four professional titles over two classes as a road racer, but he grew up on the dirt.

7. Anyone’s race – Bryan Smith and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. split wins at Springfield in 2014. Those two might be the favorites, but Jared Mees, Jake Johnson and Brandon Robinson also own wins at Springfield. An improved Ducati, a new Yamaha and more teams finding speed, all should lead to plenty of riders vying for a podium position.

8. Americana – What’s more American than watching elite athletes slide 90-plus horsepower purpose-built motorcycles around one of the toughest and most historic racing venues in the country with thousands of your closest friends? For decades, watching the Springfield Mile has been a tradition for many, many families. If it’s not part of your Memorial Day (and again Labor Day) Weekend plans, maybe it should be! The weather reports have gotten better and better as the race week progressed, so there’s no better time than now to start a new tradition.

9. All in the family – Want a good storyline to follow? The Springfield Mile can fill that desire easily. Between the racing husband and wife team of Jared and Nichole Mees and the brother and sister team of Cory and Shayna Texter, fans who value family ties have plenty of riders to root for. An added bonus is, they will be the first husband and wife and brother and sister combinations to compete in the X Games when flat track makes its debut in the action sports showcase on June 4. You can see the storylines playout on the track before the rest of the world sees them on ESPN.