Industry Hills Speedway

The Grand Arena
Industry Hills Expo Center
City of Industry, California

Connor Penhall Memorial Cup
June 8, 2024 - Industry Hills Speedway
By Howie Zechner

Always popular with spectators and racers alike the 8th annual Connor Penhall Memorial Cup lived up to it reputation as Industry Racing’s most popular and richest event of the season.

Created to honor the memory of Bruce Penhall’s son Connor who was tragically killed by a drunk driver while working for a Caltrans subcontractor cutting concrete along the westbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway this event is a labor of love and respect for Two Time World Speedway Champion. With the help of his son Ryan Penhall, Connor Concrete Cutting & Coring, Office Manager, Tiana Radovich, Bruce Svatos, Industry Racing promoter Kelly Inman and others they oversee every aspect that makes this tribute so special for the public, racers and VIP’s that attend.

How you ask? Well how does a $17,000.00. purse sound. The largest payoff of the season here at Industry and possibly the entire Speedway circuit it brings out most every hot-shoe that slides this side of the Mississippi. And of course with that kind of money on the line it’s for sure the no contact rule will get a workout before a winner is crowned. But no worries cause on the track it’s every man for himself but once off its best of buddies time again.

While no one wants to see anyone hurt this aggressive racing is welcomed by the spectator who craves the contact that sometimes happens when you put riders on a small 1/8 dirt track and have them race lightweight 500cc alcohol powered machines that have no brakes.

Indeed any night these riders race is an unbelievable sight but with this kind of purse and other goodies like a one of a kind special painted Troy Lee helmet, huge trophy’s and bragging rights to this premier event it keeps referee Steve Lucero on his toes. Fortunately Steve is a two time National and three time California State Champion who’s been there and done that so he’s not only seen the shenanigans but probably used them himself back in his racing days when he was called "Bad Boy.”

This year 1996 Speedway World Champion, Billy Hamill was Grand Marshal. A five time AMA Speedway National Champion and four time U.S. National Champion, Billy loves this facility. He grew up in Duarte and raced here in the Thunderdome for years. “The smell, the sounds, the people, it’s like a flashback that makes me want to put on a set of leathers and race,” joked “The Bullet.”

Naturally an event of this caliber brings out a lot of former Speedway stars. Not big on name dropping cause I forget to many I shouldn’t but Rick Miller, Dennis Sigalos, Billy Hamill, Billy Meister, Billy Gray, Ronnie Preston, Chris Agajanian, Bill Cody, Craig De Phillippi and Doug Nicol are just a few that come to mind.

Must have been the night for two, four time World Speedway Champions to attend as both Barry Briggs an Greg Hancock were there. In attendance to enjoy the night it was a pleasure seeing the generation divide as Greg’s boys Wilbur Hancock raced 1st Division and little Karl Hancock the 150cc Mini class.

Also need to mention the New Zealand sidecars. A treat to watch and hear these 1000cc monsters are always popular with the fans. As were the Knobby exhibition races.

And who was best you ask? Well that’s a good question. With 14 points after a win in each round except for a 2nd in the third #98 Broc Nicol was high point man but National Champion Max Ruml was right there with 13 after a win in the first three rounds and a 2nd in the last two. But hold on there are two Semi races and Broc finished 2nd in the first and Max won the 2nd. Add more drama to the mix the other two riders in the main are also very accomplished racers. Both with 11 points, Northern California ace #188 won Semi 1 in a wild duel with Brock Nicol and #7 “The Wild Man” Austin Novratil finished 2nd in Semi 2.

Lets recap. The largest purse ever, all kinds of extra booty worth thousands, a full house of sponsors and spectators. Indeed the Main was a battle that climaxed with “Mad Max” Ruml taking home the gold.

All in all the entire night was filled with the non-stop action that makes Speedway motorcycle racing one of the most intense sports on the planet. Want to see for yourself well go to the RAZ Video, Facebook page and have a look cause this night and many more are there. Here is the link.

Hopefully you are aware that Industry Racing switched from a mostly Wednesday night to a mostly Saturday night race schedule for 2024. But we do have two Wednesday nights on the program and one of them is next week June 19. Hope you will attend cause Speedway is all about you cause you pays the bills that keep our doors open. Get more information and see our entire 2024 Industry Racing schedule.

Also have to mention that our sister track Costa Mesa Speedway runs this Saturday June 15. Billed as Harley Night 2 I can relay that the first was unbelievable. Of course the meat of the program is Speedway and believe me its an eye opener watching then race the small Bullring Arena. More information at Costa Mesa Speedway

Thanks for listening, see you where the wheels go round,
Howie Zechner

Below are all the results from the June 8, 2024 Connor Penhall Memorial Cup courtesy of RC Jones and SpeedwayBikes.com

RESULTS

Connor Penhall Memorial Cup Final
1 - Max Ruml
98 - Broc Nicol
188 - Louie Mersaroli
7 - Austin Novratil

Semi Final 1
188 - Louie Mersaroli
98 - Broc Nicol
321 - Russell Green
117 - Wilbur Hancock

Semi Final 2
1 - Max Ruml
7 - Austin Novratil
23 - Timmy Dion
66n - Charlie Trana

Mini 150 Main Event
05 - Riley Rearick
22 - Ryder Schultz
169 - Kayd Fiore
44 - Brandon Kemmerly

Pee Wee Main Event (restarted)
121 - Ozzy Duran
89 - Koa Noopheng
25 - Jett Ferré
6 - Rohan Fife
256 - Wayllon Gomez
164 - Addie Summers

Sidecar Main Event
1 - Joe Jones/Tom Summers
07 - Kevin Kale/Jennifer Hernandez
13 - Emil Ovrid/Edward Ovrid
11 - Kevin Holman/Weston Farnsworth

Past Connor Penhall Memorial Cup Winners
2024 - Max Ruml
2023 - Dillon Ruml
2022 - Max Ruml
2019 – Austin Novratil
2018 – Billy Janniro
2017 – Billy Janniro
2016 – Billy Janniro
2015 – Billy Janniro

Howie Zechner and Kenny Lonngren Photos
Industry Racing Promoter Kelly Inman, National #1 Max Ruml 2 time World Speedway Champion Bruce Penhall