2000 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr. was raised as a dirt tracker and competed in US and Spanish National Championships before debuting in the 250cc World Championship at Laguna Seca in 1993, where he took an impressive top ten. Four races in the 250s the following year prefaced full time participation in 1995, before the American moved up to the premier class in 1996. He stepped up to 500cc with Yamaha, following that up with a stint in his father's Modenas team before joining Suzuki in 1999. By end of the second season of the partnership, the Japanese factory were celebrating their first title since Kevin Schwantz in 1993. Roberts then joined his father's Honda backed outfit in 2006, claiming two more podiums and many top six finishes before his retirement in 2007 after eight GP wins and 184 World Championship starts. Roberts Jr.’s premier class title in 2000 made motorcycling history as he became half of the only father and son duo to have taken 500cc World Championship titles. He stepped up to 500cc with Yamaha, following that up with a stint in his father's Modenas team before joining Suzuki in 1999. By end of the second season of the partnership, the Japanese factory were celebrating their first title since Kevin Schwantz in 1993. Roberts then joined his father's Honda backed outfit in 2006, claiming two more podiums and many top six finishes before his retirement in 2007 after eight GP wins and 184 World Championship starts. Roberts Jr.’s premier class title in 2000 made motorcycling history as he became half of the only father and son duo to have taken 500cc World Championship titles, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Circuit of the Americas in 2017.