01/09/2026
Forty-four years ago today, at the first World Speedway Final held outside of Europe, American superstar Bruce Penhall won his second straight World Speedway Championship. The meeting was staged before 40,000 + fans from around the world at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
One thing that is always overlooked on the night, in my opinion, is heat race #4. It was Bruce's first ride of the night, and he ended up in a war with Les Collins. It is one of my favorite Speedway heats and, in my opinion, one of the best heats of all time. They see sawed back and fourth. Collins won the heat after the intense battle with Bruce in second just inches behind. It was the only point Bruce dropped on the night.
