Nicky Hayden won his second USGP in a row today when he took victory in front of a packed Laguna Seca. Hayden stalked early race leader Chris Vermeulen, passed him and set pace for a 3.1 second margin of victory.

Hayden's championship rival, Valentino Rossi, made a dramatic bid for the front of the race but saw disaster late in the race when the engine in his Yamaha M1 machine failed, leaving him billowing smoke and trolling (on the racing line at times, interestingly enough). His machine finally quit and he was forced to experience the indignity of a long walk back to the paddock.

Hayden now has a 34 point lead in the championship, over his teammate, Dani Pedrosa.