Team Penske

Team Penske, originally known as Penske Racing, is a prominent American professional racing organization involved in several high-profile racing series, including the IndyCar Series, NASCAR Cup Series, IMSA SportsCar Championship, and FIA World Endurance Championship. The team made its first appearance in 1966 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Over the years, Team Penske has also participated in various other motorsport disciplines such as Formula One, Can-Am, Trans Am, and the Australian Supercars Championship. Collectively, Team Penske has amassed over 500 race wins and more than 40 championships across different forms of auto racing. A division of the Penske Corporation, the team is led by owner and chairman Roger Penske, with Tim Cindric serving as the team president.

HISTORY 

Team Penske, initially known as Penske Racing, made its NASCAR debut in 1972 at Riverside International Raceway with Mark Donohue driving a factory-sponsored American Motors Matador, humorously nicknamed the “flying brick” due to its blocky aerodynamics. The car, however, finished 39th because of rear-end issues. Over the next few years, the team competed part-time, with notable drivers like Donohue—who won the 1973 Western 500—Dave Marcis, and the Allison brothers, Donnie and Bobby. The team committed to a full-time schedule in 1976 with Bobby Allison, who drove a new, more aerodynamic fastback coupe to a 4th place finish in the points standings. In 1980, the team briefly fielded Rusty Wallace, who finished 2nd in his first race at Atlanta, before Roger Penske sold the team’s assets to the Elliott family in 1977 and exited NASCAR.

After an eleven-year hiatus, Penske returned to NASCAR in 1991 with Wallace, bringing with him sponsorship from Miller beer from the now-defunct Blue Max Racing. Penske Racing South, as it was then known, ran Pontiacs until 1993 before switching to Fords in 1994, then to full-works Dodge with factory support in 2003. The team achieved a milestone victory at the Daytona 500 in 2008 with Ryan Newman. By 2011, Penske was the sole full-time Dodge team in NASCAR, prompting a switch back to Ford in 2013, supported by Roush Yates Engines and a partnership equivalent to that of other leading Ford teams.

In 2012, Brad Keselowski clinched Penske’s first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Reflecting broader organizational branding, the team was renamed Team Penske in 2014 to align with its IndyCar operations. The team fielded cars for Keselowski in the No. 2 and Joey Logano in the No. 22 by 2016 and expanded in 2018 to include the No. 12 car driven by Ryan Blaney, with Logano securing the team’s second Cup Series title that year.

Following Keselowski’s departure at the end of the 2021 season to join RFK Racing as a driver-owner, he was replaced by Austin Cindric who triumphed at the 2022 Daytona 500, continuing Team Penske’s legacy of success in top-tier motorsport.

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Team Penske is a powerhouse in the NASCAR Cup Series, renowned for its rich history and consistent performance at the pinnacle of stock car racing. Team Penske has operated under various names and manufacturer partnerships, currently fielding Ford Mustangs in the Cup Series. Over the decades, Team Penske has celebrated numerous successes, including multiple championships and prestigious race wins such as the Daytona 500.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Team Penske is a prominent competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where it has demonstrated consistent success and commitment to excellence. With a strong presence established over many years, Team Penske has fielded a variety of talented drivers who have contributed significantly to the team’s impressive record in the series. Known for its strategic operations and top-notch equipment, Team Penske leverages the Xfinity Series not only to compete at a high level but also to develop emerging talents who might eventually ascend to the NASCAR Cup Series. Their entries in the Xfinity Series typically feature advanced engineering and strong sponsorship, maintaining the team’s high standards and competitive edge.

NASCAR Truck Series

As of my last update, Team Penske does not currently field a team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team’s focus remains primarily on the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where it continues to deploy resources to maximize competitiveness and performance. Although Team Penske has a storied history in various motorsports disciplines, including significant involvement in other stock car and open-wheel racing series, its direct participation in the Truck Series is limited. Instead, Penske’s influence in the Truck Series might be seen indirectly through technical support or alliances with other teams that compete under the broader Penske Corporation umbrella.