AVONDALE, Ariz. — The quest for a flawless season may be elusive, as highlighted by Roger Penske’s reflections after securing his team’s third consecutive NASCAR championship. While he might downplay perfection, Team Penske’s impressive achievements in recent months suggest they came remarkably close.
The season unfolded dramatically, beginning in January when Josef Newgarden shared that Penske, at 87 years old, displayed rare emotion after the team clinched its first Rolex 24 at Daytona since 1969. This emotional win set a promising tone for what was to come. Soon after, Joey Logano achieved a historic milestone by putting a Penske vehicle on the pole for the Daytona 500, marking a first for the team. Although this triumph was marred by the revelation that Logano wore an illegal glove during qualifying—drawing criticism from Penske—the organization quickly shifted focus and proceeded to dominate various major motorsports events throughout the year.
Despite some setbacks, including Will Power’s near-miss in the IndyCar championship against three-time winner Alex Palou and a failure to secure victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Team Penske still collected a plethora of prestigious awards this season. The IndyCar team, which faced its own cheating scandal early in the season, managed to secure six wins, with Newgarden notably clinching a second consecutive win at the Indianapolis 500. Scott McLaughlin also finished third in the final points standings.
Penske’s newly established sports car program, developed with Porsche, achieved significant milestones as well, winning the IMSA championship and the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain just two weeks ago. Meanwhile, in Martinsville, Virginia, Ryan Blaney, the reigning NASCAR champion from Penske, secured a position that allowed two Penske cars to compete in the upcoming decisive Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.
With the odds favoring Penske’s organization at 50% with multiple championship contenders—Logano, a 2022 champion, and defending titleholder Blaney—the team rose to the challenge. Ultimately, Logano emerged victorious in a thrilling finish against Blaney, delivering Penske’s first 1-2 finish in NASCAR points standings. Notably, Team Penske is the only team to have won the Cup championship since NASCAR introduced its new car in 2022 and the first to achieve three consecutive titles with different drivers since Hendrick Motorsports in 1998.
Throughout the season, longtime sponsor Shell-Pennzoil adorned both Newgarden’s Indy 500-winning car and Logano’s championship vehicle, underscoring the importance of partnerships in Penske’s success. Reflecting on the season’s accomplishments, Penske regarded it as one of the organization’s best since its establishment in 1968, despite the disappointment of not securing the IndyCar championship.
“It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly one of the best,” Penske acknowledged. He mentioned the variety of significant milestones achieved—100th Cup Series win with Ford, a 20th Indianapolis 500 victory, and numerous other records that underlined the team’s dominance this year.
Penske emphasized that the credit for the remarkable season belongs to the dedicated individuals behind the scenes rather than just himself. “Racing is a common thread throughout our company. It’s our brand, and of course, we want to win,” he noted. He aims to provide his team with everything they need to triumph, recognizing that success isn’t guaranteed and that a commitment to integrity is crucial.
Penske pointed out the importance of nurturing talent within his teams, insisting that all key personnel have grown with him rather than being recruited from elsewhere. This approach cultivates loyalty and continuity among his staff, contributing to what he calls the “Penske Perfect” vision. He highlighted the unique knowledge and shared mission of his team, which leads to collective success.
Reflecting on the contributions of his entire team, Penske stated, “There are approximately 74,000 people who will be overwhelmed with joy come Monday due to our success—that’s what drives me.”
Logano, basking in the glory of his recent title win, echoed this sentiment, invoking a saying from his father: “You can’t soar like an eagle if you’re working with a bunch of turkeys.” He praised the diverse racing opportunities at Team Penske and the many talented individuals involved.
“Team Penske is a place where success is expected; it’s where you go to win,” Logano declared, crediting the environment of excellence and shared ambition for their collective accomplishments. “There are plenty of talented individuals here, and that spirit permeates throughout Penske.”