Costa Mesa Speedway

Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, California

Jack Milne Cup
April 12, 2025 - Costa Mesa by Howie Zechner

Named in honor of Americas first ever World Speedway Champion the Jack Milne Cup is always the first race of the Costa Mesa season. An annual event anticipated by the faithful and those new to the sport they fill the grandstands at Americas oldest and best known Speedway track. There for a night of social entertainment along with the thrills and spills of a stellar race they were not disappointed. The lineup; Division 1, 2, 3, 150 and 250cc Juniors and those insane 1000cc sidecars.

Greeted by a live band the weather, grandstands and race track were perfect. It would be, it was a night that confirmed for the last 55 years Costa Mesa has been the race place to enjoy extreme motorcycle racing with friends young and old. Yeah, sure, I’ve heard this before you say. Well hold on, judge for yourself.

Food, yes all kinds. Drink you bet, soda, beer and more. Restrooms are clean and numerous. Souvenirs; sure t-shirts, stickers, trophies, seems like the only thing you can’t buy is a race program. Reason is everyone gets one for free when they come in. Then there’s the arena. Seating, lots so take your choice of the covered main grandstands or the bleachers in turn 1, 2 or 3. It don’t matter which one you choose cause there are no bad seats at this 3,550 seat facility.

Let’s talk racetrack. Nicknamed “The Bull Ring” it’s a 185 yard 1/10 mile with 33’ straightaways and 48” corners on a clay base and decomposed granite surface. In a rite of passage the regulars always tell the newbies to sit or stand right next to the race track They know better cause the race machines kick up a dirt rooster tail that sprays dirt into those first couple of rows. It won’t hurt you but the expression “dirt in your beer” comes from those that stand or sit to close to the track.

Then there’s the race machines. Specially made for Speedway by only a handful of companies their not the dirt or street bikes your use to seeing. Weight about 175 pounds. Motor 500 cc four stroke that uses methanol fuel and develops approximately 75 horsepower. How much is that? Well it’s a higher power to weight ratio than a fuel dragster. These machine have one more surprise as they have NO BRAKES. Seriously, I’m not joking so let me explain. Speedway bikes slow down by giving the motor full throttle. This causes the back wheel to spin and slide so the bike losses traction. When the rider wants to go faster they let off the throttle, the rear wheel stops sliding and the bike accelerates forward as it get traction. You probably think this can’t be and that I’m crazy. Well you might be right on the crazy part but the rest is gospel. Don’t believe, come see for yourself but a word of caution. One race meet and you might be hooked cause Speedway motorcycle racing is an extreme sport and a thrill that is highly addictive.

The race format is simple. Riders line up in front of a starting gate. When the tapes go up they race four laps in a little over a minute. Only a minute you say. Believe me it’s a minute you’ll never forget cause this is a take no prisoners war where they bump, crash and slide to victory. Yes the rule book says no contact but it’s a small track with bikes that have no brakes and everyone wants to win so things happen. As the night goes on the heat winners go to a Semi and then the best four a main event. Wild yes but unbelievable is probably a better description.

All Speedway events are a battle and this night was no different. Pushing and shoving there were several mayor crash’s and mishaps. The most serious was a breathtaking crash when “The Cowboy” Levi Leutz lost control coming out of turn 2 and the bike flipped over and over numerous time down the back straightaway. It’s a wonder he escaped unhurt but lady luck was kind and the ambulance never rolled.

A very competitive night the main event saw #1 Max Ruml with 9 points and #98 Broc Nicol, #14n Billy Janniro and the youngster #30n Alex Martin with 8 points each. Nicol made the best gate but was never able to get a lead as no more than a bike length separated all but Martin who crashed. At the finish the AMA National Champion Broc Nicol won the Division 1 final. In the other divisions Archie Perez won the Division 2 Main, Avant LeGarde the D3 and the Sidecar Main was the 1 team of Joe Jones/Tom Summers.

As Speedway fan Forest Gump quoted "That's all I have to say about that." Those who want a more blow by blow, detailed description should come and experience or go to social media and view the numerous pictures or videos our professional photographers take.

Our Facebook friends at RAZ Video shoot all the Costa Mesa races and those of our sister track in the City of Industry. Pictures may be viewed at Speedwayzar.

Thanks for Listening, See you where the Wheels go Round.

Howie Zechner

Below is the complete Jack Milne Cup, scoring as supplied from our friends at Speedway Bikes plus all the 2025 Costa Mesa race dates along with those from Industry Racing.

Jack Milne Cup Final (restarted), 98 - Broc Nicol, 14n - Billy Janniro, 1 - Max Ruml, 30n - Alex Martin (fell, excluded)

First Division Semi 1 - 14n - Billy Janniro, 30n - Alex Martin, 321 - Russell Green, 14 - Eddie Castro

First Division Semi 2 - 98 - Broc Nicol, 1 - Max Ruml, 28 - Slater Lightcap, 117 - Wilbur Hancock

Second Division Main Event - 34 - Archie Perez, 182 - Rudy Laurer, 290 - Harold Hartke, 111 - David Newsham

Second Division Consolation - 251 - Jacob Wondolowski, 187 - Ryan Bacarella, 226 - Levi Leutz DNS, 159 - Kevin Fiore DNS

Third Division Main Event - 400 - Avant LeGarde, 155 - Tommy Kormilo, 07 - John Kaderka

Junior 250 Main Event (restarted) - 13 - Brady Landon, 22 - Ryder Schultz, 5 - Brandon Soto (non-starter, restart)

Mini 150 Main Event - 44 - Brandon Kemmerly, 15 - Hudson Jones, 146 - Karl Hancock, 169 - Kayd Fiore

Sidecar Main Event -1 - Joe Jones/Tom Summers, 357 - Ace Kale/Brent Smith, 911 - Stuart Glass/Jack Straw, 07 - Kevin Kale/Jennifer Hernandez


2025 Costa Mesa race dates; May 10 & 17, June 14 & 21, September 13 & 27, October 25. More information on the Costa Mesa Speedway website

2025 Industry Racing race dates; May 31, June 28, July 26, August 2, 9, 10 & 23, October 25. More information on the Industry Racing website

98 Broc Nicol

98 Broc Nicol and 14n Billy Janniro

13 - Brady Landon

44 - Brandon Kemmerly

400 - Avant LeGarde

34 - Archie Perez