After getting into the car, Penske decided to drive around the property, making many stops to point out things that could be done differently and changes he would like to see made. The car returned to the administration building shortly before 11 p.m. and the group never made it to dinner.
“That’s happened several times,” Penske Corp. President Bud Denker said with a laugh. “When we depart for the evening, it always involves a drive inside and around the track with Roger saying, ‘Look at this. Look at that.’ He’s on the phone to John Lewis (senior vice president, facility development at IMS) and Mark Miles. He sees things through his own lens. We never leave and head out on the road, it always requires a final drive through before we go anywhere.”
Penske has an incredible eye for detail and incredible business acumen.
“I think my experience in business, as well as in racing, has given me the perspective to see all of the opportunities in IndyCar and IMS,” Penske said. “Certainly, the success of our business put us in the position to become the next stewards of the speedway and the series and it also helps create some great growth opportunities. We are fully committed to building on the tradition of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ensuring that it continues to be one of the world’s greatest sports and entertainment destinations with the combination of exciting racing, advanced technology and rising young stars.
“IndyCar has so much to offer. We have seen the momentum building on the corporate level as companies are excited to become part of our sport. I think we will continue to see more partners come on board as we move past the pandemic and into the future.
“Fortunately, we have some great partners. To me, having so many sponsors committed and focused on the future during these unprecedented times is a real credit to the sport and the partners that we work with,” Penske continued. “We certainly understand how challenging this year has been and our team has done a great job working with all of our partners and communicating with them, so everyone understands the changing landscape in 2020.
“Motorsports really emerged as a leader this year in showing the way to get back on track safely and hosting a complete and competitive season. I believe that our partners appreciated the resolve that racing has shown during the pandemic and how the sport has continued to find ways to deliver on and off the track.”
Despite the pandemic and having to run many races without fans and sponsor contingents, the NTT IndyCar Series may have more cars on the grid this year than in 2020.
“IndyCar and all of its race teams have worked very hard to build and maintain great partner relationships and that has put us all in a good position to move forward in 2021,” Penske said. “You need to have great partner support and successful, exciting events in order to have a healthy series. It has been a collective effort by everyone in IndyCar to ensure that we have those key elements in place so we can continue to build on the momentum of the series next season.
“IndyCar is also committed to controlling costs so that teams can enter and succeed in the series,” he added. “We have one of the most competitive series in motorsports with some of the best and most diverse drivers in the world. We must continue to produce compelling content, highlighting our great race markets, to help build the IndyCar fan base.”
With the Indy 500, IMS and IndyCar under the Penske Corp. umbrella, it ensures that the leadership of those properties is secure.
“We set up our businesses with Penske Entertainment like we have any of our corporations, public companies and private companies that they withstand themselves for years to come with the leadership that we have,” Denker explained. “Roger builds great teams and great teams around him. Those people around him want to work for him and go up that hill with that flag. Every one of our businesses has a deep bench, Penske Corp. as well.
“He is taking this on for the next generation, but boy, is he having fun with this while he is here, which is for many years to come, rebuilding this place,” Denker added. “We will be in good hands for years to come and that is our job to make sure this happens and the Penske name endures like the Hulman name endured for all of those years.”
From a young boy who attended the 1951 Indianapolis 500 with his father, Carl, to a talented sports car driver during the late 1950s and early 1960s, to the most successful team owner in auto racing history, Penske may be the most influential person in racing.
“I never would have imagined when I first visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with my father at the 1951 Indy 500 that we would someday be in a position to carry on the legacy of this great American institution and the sport of Indy car racing,” Penske recalled. “That visit really ignited my passion for racing and set me on a new path. I am fortunate that nearly seven decades later I have just as much passion and energy for the speedway and the sport and I am honored that our team is able to take this tradition forward.”
Over the years, there have been others whose influence has transcended auto racing. From Tony Hulman and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to NASCAR’s Bill France and Bill France Jr., and Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone, Penske has learned from them all.
“When you think about some of the greatest leaders and pioneers in racing, there is so much to learn and appreciate about their history,” Penske said. “I had the privilege of working with all of those great leaders. Both Bill France and Bill France Jr. had great determination and vision to build NASCAR into what it is today. Bernie Ecclestone’s focus and his business acumen helped take Formula One to new heights on an international stage.
“I had so much respect for Tony Hulman and his love and commitment to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy car racing and Tony George carried on his grandfather’s vision and legacy. I am so thankful to Tony and the Hulman-George family for all they have done for the speedway and for the sport and, of course, for their faith in us to become the next leaders of IMS and IndyCar.”
With so many incredible accomplishments, Penske has saved his best for last.
What he does with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500 will be a legacy that will stand long after he is no longer in charge.