Roger Penske. The best team leader in Motorports history?

[Budnicks]

 

[Budnicks]

 

[RSMS]

Don't forget the Trans Am series...

Penski-Hilton Racing, Sunoco Chevrolet Trans Am Champion

everything Penski touches is golden (except Saturn)

View attachment 1984043

SCCA champions 1968 Z28

 

[RSMS]

Here it is

1968 Chevrolet Sunoco Camaro Trans Am | Amelia Island 2016 | RM Sotheby's

 

[Budnicks]

it's got wing windows it's a 67 main body,
it has a 68 Grill, front end or lights anyway
may have been the 68 Championship

 

[Crackedback]

Penske is the best leader.

Success across all platforms.

 

[RSMS]

it's got wing windows it's a 67, it has a 68 Grill or lights anyway
may have been the 68 Championship
View attachment 1984057

yes a 67 has a wing window and no fender or rear 1/4 marker lights, also the grill lights (turn signals) will be round. 68's will have the marker lights, no vent windows and more oval grill lights. The early 68Z28 they raced was the previous year's 1967 car, I think for the 1st race or two. When I was in high school I bought a 68 Z28 which I still own today, it's a December 67 built car which is unique because the Z28 was not an advertised car in 1967 (602 built) or until March of 1968 (7199 total built) I read somewhere something like 85% of the 68's were built after that, anyone that bought these cars was a racer or someone that was into racing. Another tidbit, this color is code EE , in 1967 it was Deepwater Blue, 1968 it was called Fathom Blue. GM stopped production of this color on all Camaro's on 1/1/1968 so having any 68 camaro in this color is pretty rare, having a Z28 in this color is very rare, my 68 Z28 is Fathom Blue like the Penske car. Black and one or two other colors were discontinued at this time also. I also have a 67 camaro I've had since high school that is Deepwater blue. Yes, I'am a Camaro guy at heart but I enjoy(ed) and own(ed) numerous cool MOPAR's

 

[Cojohnso1]

They were very successful for sure as a manufacturer and with several factory backed cars. Ferrari is a brand that is built with racing in mind, I wouldn't consider him a team leader per say even though in a sense they are. The majority of their wins thru out history were from privateers I believe but I could be wrong. If you are bringing up manufactures, I would think Ferando Porsche would be the more successful over numerous classes and circuits. I would also say as an engineer and businessman they built a superior car at all levels. Ferrari is a specialty car that is not a typical production/daily driver car, they are very finicky and extremely high maintenance compared to a Porsche.

I would agree on Porsche being better engineered for maintenance, thus affordability. At the risk of stereotyping? Germans have always been damn good at mechanical engineering.

 

[RSMS]

I would agree on Porsche being better engineered for maintenance, thus affordability. At the risk of stereotyping? Germans have always damn good at mechanical engineering.

A Ferrari is currently the 19th fastest production car to lap Nurenburg, a Porsche is the 2nd fastest. There are 7 Porsches ahead of the Ferrari and 2 Lamborghini's, 1 Ford and 2 Chevy's. The 2017 Viper ACR is only about 2 seconds slower than the 2023 Ferrari. Lots of hype about Ferrari...... but I'll say Porsche doesn't only beat them on maintenance, they beat them on the track also along with several others

 

[Cojohnso1]

A Ferrari is currently the 19th fastest production car to lap Nurenburg, a Porsche is the 2nd fastest. There are 7 Porsches ahead of the Ferrari and 2 Lamborghini's, 1 Ford and 2 Chevy's. The 2017 Viper ACR is only about 2 seconds slower than the 2023 Ferrari. Lots of hype about Ferrari...... but I'll say Porsche doesn't only beat them on maintenance, they beat them on the track also along with several others

That's today. Historically Ferrari dominated for decades. Fastest lap time rarely holds up over time. That's what makes Le Mans so brutal.

 

[RSMS]

That's today. Historically Ferrari dominated for decades. Fastest lap time rarely holds up over time. That's what makes Le Mans so brutal.

Ferrari had a 6 year run at Le Mans in the early 60's for sure, that is until Enzo weaseled out of the deal to sell to Ford. The next 4 years I think Ford won it, I need to check but I don't think they won again till recently, but I could be mistaken. Porsche and Audi both have more overall wins at Le Mans than Ferrari. Don't get me wrong, most are very impressive cars and have a fantastic racing history in the few classes they race in. This limits them (as a manufacturer or team owner) on the comparison to all the different platforms with numerous manufacturers Penske has won with.

 

[Runcharger]

You have to respect his accomplishments in business and racing.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Ferrari had a 6 year run at Le Mans in the early 60's for sure, that is until Enzo weaseled out of the deal to sell to Ford. The next 4 years I think Ford won it, I need to check but I don't think they won again till recently, but I could be mistaken. Porsche and Audi both have more overall wins at Le Mans than Ferrari. Don't get me wrong, most are very impressive cars and have a fantastic racing history in the few classes they race in. This limits them (as a manufacturer or team owner) on the comparison to all the different platforms with numerous manufacturers Penske has won with.

F1. Most the world views Formula 1 as the apex of auto racing. Where Ferrari has dominated for along time. Still holds the most wins all time.

Why the US has done little investment in this arena? Or Ferrari in Indycar? No idea

 

[DeltaV]

Here are key quotes and philosophies from Roger Penske (as per Google AI search):

On Success and Work Ethic: "Effort equals results".

On Luck: "The harder you work, the luckier you become".

On Leadership: "You lead with direction, and you try to lead by example. I try to be there when things are not good and obviously share the spoils of success".

On Teamwork: "Obviously I've got a great team of people within the company. You can't operate all by yourself. We have a good board of directors and a big bench, and they can make decisions if I'm not around".

On Philosophy: "Every individual within the business is considered important. This perspective should be reflected in how people are treated and communicated with".

On Business Strategy: "We’ve found a good level field to attract people to come to our sport".

On Longevity: "As far as me personally, I guess I'm going to come to the races for as long as I can".

 

[DeltaV]

Here it is

1968 Chevrolet Sunoco Camaro Trans Am | Amelia Island 2016 | RM Sotheby's

A very good article. Thanks!

 

[DeltaV]

There is a reason someone originally coined the term "Penske Perfect".

 

[oldbee]

He went to Lehigh University, also 1st wife was a Stouffer of the frozen meals Stouffer’s out of Cleveland originally.
Had a ball cap signed by him, had a choice of 2 drivers or him signing; I said I’d like the same guy that signs my paycheck to sign mine! He did,with a big smile.

 

[Budnicks]

1st Nascar winning Catalina

 

[440 PHIXX]

yes a 67 has a wing window and no fender or rear 1/4 marker lights, also the grill lights (turn signals) will be round. 68's will have the marker lights, no vent windows and more oval grill lights. The early 68Z28 they raced was the previous year's 1967 car, I think for the 1st race or two. When I was in high school I bought a 68 Z28 which I still own today, it's a December 67 built car which is unique because the Z28 was not an advertised car in 1967 (602 built) or until March of 1968 (7199 total built) I read somewhere something like 85% of the 68's were built after that, anyone that bought these cars was a racer or someone that was into racing. Another tidbit, this color is code EE , in 1967 it was Deepwater Blue, 1968 it was called Fathom Blue. GM stopped production of this color on all Camaro's on 1/1/1968 so having any 68 camaro in this color is pretty rare, having a Z28 in this color is very rare, my 68 Z28 is Fathom Blue like the Penske car. Black and one or two other colors were discontinued at this time also. I also have a 67 camaro I've had since high school that is Deepwater blue. Yes, I'am a Camaro guy at heart but I enjoy(ed) and own(ed) numerous cool MOPAR's

I’m guessing your early ‘68 has “302” fender emblems. Ford is obviously better known for the 302, but Chevy actually advertised it first. The old timers called them “301”. A 327 block, with a 283 crankshaft.

 

[RSMS]

I’m guessing your early ‘68 has “302” fender emblems. Ford is obviously better known for the 302, but Chevy actually advertised it first. The old timers called them “301”. A 327 block, with a 283 crankshaft.

Yes my car is a 302 fender car. A lot of guys were using a small journal 327 (1967 and older) block and putting a 283 crank in them. Makes a very rev happy engine. I’ve always had real good luck with the small journal 327’s , a little more torque than the 302 but with a good top end will turn pretty tight. I’ve surprised a lot of big block chevys and mopars back when I was more into hustling races on the street.