Known as “The Captain” in racing circles since he first started driving in the 1960s (earning Driver of the Year” from Sports Illustrated in 1961 ), it’s a title Roger earned through decades of strategic brilliance and an unwavering attention to detail that never went away — not even when he retired in 1965 at the height of his driving career to focus on business.

He then went on to become just as prolific as a corporate mover and shaker, launching a successful Chevrolet dealership in Philadelphia before setting his sights on the Detroit area and its growing auto industry.

From there, Roger became something of a force to be reckoned with, one whose empire spans everything from transportation to retail to logistics to civic leadership.

Since its founding, the Penske Corporation has grown from its Detroit headquarters into a diversified global leader.

Its portfolio includes Penske Truck Leasing, the Penske Automotive Group, and logistics, energy, and retail operations in more than 3,200 locations worldwide.

Competitors follow trends, whereas Penske refines systems.

His business philosophy follows his racing philosophy: win by habit, prepare well, and always be consistent.

His facilities are perfect, his pit crews drill like special forces, and his drivers are held to very high standards.

Penske headed the Super Bowl XL host committee in 2006 and helped revitalize downtown Detroit for the event.

He then restarted the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle in 2007 and showed the world that Detroit’s revival was real, supporting several philanthropic causes – from education to neighborhood renewal.

In 2019, Penske acquired the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series in what would serve as a full circle moment – Detroit’s racing patriarch was now overseeing the most iconic racing venue in America.

Since then, he has already brought in facility upgrades, fan experience enhancements, and a renewed focus on motorsports in general.

Over the course of his career, Roger Penske has demonstrated how to build an empire from passion.

He operates with a rare combination of precision, discipline, and vision – whether he’s racing to victory lane, making international business deals, or promoting Detroit on the world stage.

He is not just a winner.

He is an architect of what winning should be and a true captain of Detroit — one backed by industry, speed, and resilience.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 18, 2025