Legendary Team Owner Penske To Be Honored May 26 At IMS
The 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 will mark the 40th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500 victory for Penske. Mark Donohue drove Penske's Sunoco McLaren to victory in the 56th Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 1972.
Penske-owned cars have earned 15 race victories and 16 poles – both records by a wide margin – in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
"The Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have meant so much to me personally as well as our race teams," Penske said. "I am honored to celebrate the anniversary of our first Indy 500 win with the fans on May 26, and we look forward to an exciting race weekend."
Penske will participate in a question-and-answer session with fans May 26 on the Coca-Cola Stage in the Pagoda Plaza, followed by a brief autograph session.
Other featured events on "Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske" will include the annual Public Drivers' Meeting on pit road adjacent to the Tower Terrace grandstand, autograph sessions with the 2012 Indianapolis 500 starting field of 33 drivers and former Indy 500 drivers, and a huge Indianapolis 500 memorabilia show featuring vendors from the United States, Europe and Australia.
Admission to IMS on "Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske" will be $10 for adults, with children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult.
"It's fitting to pay tribute to Roger Penske, one of the true icons of the Indianapolis 500, on the 40th anniversary of his first victory at Indianapolis," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "His teams and drivers have set an incredible standard for excellence and professionalism at the Speedway, and Roger has become a landmark figure of the world's greatest race. This will be a memorable day for fans and everyone who loves the Speedway in May to honor Roger."
Best known for his multiple Indianapolis 500 victories with Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991) and Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009), Penske also has scored "500" victories with Donohue (1972), Bobby Unser (1981), Danny Sullivan (1985), Al Unser (1987), Emerson Fittipaldi (1993), Al Unser Jr. (1994), Gil de Ferran (2003) and Sam Hornish Jr. (2006).
Penske Racing holds nearly every record in Indy car racing, with 159 victories, 203 pole positions and 12 national championships.
The 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for noon (ET) Sunday, May 27.