Speedway At The Grand Begins May 31st

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Speedway, Speedway, Speedway!

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Third Annual Connor Penhall Memorial Cup Set to Kick Off 2017 Season at Industry Racing

Speedway at The Grand

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (May 30, 2017) – Industry Racing / Speedway at The Grand, Southern California’s premier speedway racing facility and the only covered track in the country, is proud to present the Third Annual Connor Penhall Memorial Cup onWednesday, May 31st, from The Grand Arena at Industry Hills Expo Center. For the third consecutive year this celebration of the life of the late Connor Penhall will kick off the Industry Racing season, raising awareness of the dangers of drunk driving while also encouraging added safety measures for road construction workers. Gates will open to the public for opening night at The Grand Arena at 6:00 p.m., with the festivities slated to get underway at 7:00 p.m.

Connor was an up-and-coming racer who had won both the Baja 1000 and Baja 500 twice, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bruce Penhall, a two-time World Speedway Champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member. In April 2012 Connor tragically lost his life while working construction on Interstate 10, and beginning in 2015 the Memorial Cup was established to celebrate his enthusiastic spirit and natural talent on a motorcycle that made him beloved by the entire racing community. Since his passing, the Penhall family has fought valiantly in Connor’s memory to inject change in the amount of safety provided to highway construction workers, while also bringing much-needed awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving, and the unnecessary tragedies the action produces far too often.


Connor Penhall Memorial Cup Winners Trophy

The Grand Marshal for the 2017 Connor Penhall Memorial Cup will be AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Mike Bast, one of the most prolific American speedway racers. Undoubtedly the most dominant rider of the 1970’s, Bast won an incredible seven American Speedway Championships, including five straight from 1975-1979. He served as Bruce Penhall’s mentor throughout the early stages Penhall’s illustrious career.

“Bruce and I go back to about 1975 where I remember racing against him at the L.A. Coliseum. I thought the ‘kid’ at the time had great potential and wanted him on my L.A. Sprockets team,” said Bast. “In 1977 we traveled to England together, and the rest is history. Bruce went on to become one of the greatest Speedway riders of all time and a man I greatly admire. I consider Bruce to be a true friend that had always been there for me through good times and bad. My family and I will be forever grateful to him and I’m honored to accept his request to serve as Grand Marshal for the Connor Penhall Memorial Cup.”

On the track, the fastest speedway racers in the nation will compete for a purse nearing $10,000 in what will be the start of the 14th season of Industry Racing / Speedway at The Grand competition, the only AMA-sanctioned speedway in Southern California. Highly competitive action will take place across several divisions, highlighted by the Division 1 Championship and complemented by Junior Speedway and Pee Wee races. All riders will be chasing the coveted winner’s trophy special to the Connor Penhall Memorial Cup, a custom-painted helmet by Troy Lee Designs.

Leading the way in the field of competitors is Billy Janniro, who remains undefeated at the Connor Penhall Memorial Cup. Additionally, Broc Nicol will take a break from his full-time competition in Europe to return to the states in an effort to end Janniro’s reign. Also included in this deeply talented lineup are the likes of Luke Becker, Aaron Fox, Gage Geist, Kurtis Hamill, Gino Manzares, Dillon Ruml, Max Ruml, and more!


Billy Janniro will look to remain undefeated at the Memorial Cup.

All the action can be seen as it unfolds online via the live webcast hosted on Livestream.

Ticket Details (Box Office Opens at 5:00 p.m. on Race Day):

Special Event Pricing

  • General Admission – $17
  • Seniors (55+), Military, & Juniors – $11
  • 12 & Under with Adult Supervision – FREE!
Parking:
  • $5 for cars/trucks
  • FREE for motorcycles

Additional ticket options are available for group rates and for the entirety of the 2017 racing season by calling 626-330-0324. Visa & Mastercard are accepted.

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