In Team Penske's 50th anniversary season of 2016, the organization began a new annual tradition of celebrating its rich racing heritage with the Team Penske Hall of Fame. Each year, Team Penske Hall of Fame inductees are chosen from current and former drivers, employees and partners that have made a significant impact on the team and its history. The Hall of Famers are honored both at an event and within the walls of the Team Penske facility, located in Mooresville, NC.
Hall of Fame Inductees
2016 - Roger Penske and Mark Donohue
2017 - Rick Mears and Karl Kainhofer
2018 - Walter Czarnecki and Rusty Wallace
2019 - Don Miller and Dan Luginbuhl
2020 - Helio Castroneves
2021 - Tim Cindric and Jerry Breon
2022 - Larry Bluth and Clive Howell
Hall of Famer Profiles
Roger Penske (2016)
Roger Penske was one of America's most successful young road racers before electing to retire from driving in 1965 to focus on his first business - a Philadelphia Chevrolet dealership. However, racing remained a key element in Penske's overall business plan and he formed his own team. Beginning as Roger Penske Racing in 1966, competing in sports car and endurance events, Team Penske has grown into one of the most successful racing teams - and sports organizations - in the world. The team won its class in the 24 Hours of Daytona in its first start and since then Team Penske has produced more than 620 wins, over 680 pole positions and 44 championships. Those totals include a historic 19 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 wins and the distinction of being the last American constructor to win a Formula One race, coming in 1976 with driver John Watson. More than 50 drivers have won a race for Roger Penske's teams over the 57-year history of Team Penske and the organization continues to produce at a remarkable rate at the highest levels of motorsports. Team Penske has won 12 championships over the last six seasons of competition. In 2019, Roger Penske was also inducted into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Mark Donohue (2016)
Donohue was the first in a long lineage of championship drivers at Team Penske. He made 180 starts for the team in his memorable career and produced 59 wins, 50 pole positions and six championships for the organization. The list of team firsts has Donohue written all over it. He made Team Penske's first start in the Indianapolis 500 in 1969 and he earned "Rookie of the Year" honors with a seventh-place finish. Three years later, in 1972, he produced the first of the team's record 19 Indianapolis 500 victories. Donohue also posted Team Penske's first NASCAR victory, winning at Riverside in 1973, and he earned the organization's first win and pole position in its rich history of open-wheel racing. Of course, Donohue also captured the first of Team Penske's 32 national championships as he claimed the USRRC title in 1967. Donohue also famously helped develop the Porsche 917/30, one of the most powerful racing cars ever created as it dominated Can-Am Series competition with Team Penske in 1973. Tragically, Donohue passed away from injuries suffered during a practice crash at the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix in 1975.
Rick Mears (2017)
Few drivers have epitomized "The Penske Way" more than Mears during the course of his career with Team Penske, which began in 1978. His 29 INDYCAR wins are tied with Helio Castroneves for the second most by a Team Penske driver, but it was the respectful yet determined way Mears raced and conducted himself that set him apart. One of four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, Mears also won three INDYCAR titles with the team in 1979, 1981 and 1982 while becoming an American icon. He remains a valuable member of the team as an advisor to the current Team Penske contingent competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. "To be honored as one of the early members inducted into the Team Penske Hall of Fame is one of the highlights of my career," said Mears, who also holds the record with six pole positions won for the Indianapolis 500. "I like to think I played a part in the history of this organization, but I was just a part. There have been so many talented people who have been involved in Roger's organization - from drivers to mechanics to front office personnel. To join Roger, Mark and Karl and to be recognized is humbling."
Karl Kainhofer (2017)
Kainhofer began his motorsports career as a Porsche-trained master mechanic before becoming Penske's personal mechanic during the legendary owner's brief stint as a driver. After Team Penske was formed in 1966, the Austrian-born Kainhofer became the team's first full-time employee and helped guide the likes of Mark Donohue and others to victories in the Can-Am Series, Formula 5000, INDYCAR and Formula 1. For the second part of his career with Team Penske, Kainhofer worked as the head of Penske's engine shop until his retirement in 1997 after 32 years with the team. Through a career in racing that spanned 40 years from 1958 through 1997, Kainhofer was part of a remarkable 170 wins, including 10 Indianapolis 500 victories. "This is a great honor," said Kainhofer, after his Team Penske Hall of Fame induction in 2017. "I'm just happy to be here and to have played a role in what Team Penske has become today. I've made a lot of good memories over the years and had the chance to experience a lot of amazing moments. Today is another one of those."
Walter Czarnecki (2018)
Czarnecki began working with Roger Penske and Penske Corporation in 1970 through his duties with American Motors Corporation. Within a few years, he operated one of the nation's leading Chevrolet dealerships for volume sales and customer service, located in Southfield, Mich. Roger Penske then purchased Michigan International Speedway (MIS) out of bankruptcy and Czarnecki was named track president. During his tenure, MIS grew from 25,000 seats to over 125,000, hosting races for NASCAR, INDYCAR, IROC, ARCA and many other top-tier sanctioning bodies. Czarnecki later served as Vice Chairman of Penske Speedways, which owned and operated Michigan International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Nazareth Speedway, North Carolina Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. In 1999, Penske Speedways merged with International Speedway Corporation. Czarnecki transitioned to Vice Chairman of Team Penske and he continues to help lead the organization in that role today. With nearly 50 years of leadership and service, Czarnecki has left an immeasurable impact on Penske Corporation, Team Penske and motorsports. "I'm honored and very, very grateful and humbled by this," said Czarnecki after his induction was announced at MIS during the June 2018 NASCAR weekend. "Roger and I have been together for 48 years and this is certainly one of the highlights of my career. I remember when Roger and I first met - at a Trans Am race in 1969 in California. We bumped into each other because we were staying at the same hotel. That was the beginning of it all and I've never looked back from there."
Rusty Wallace (2018)
Among all drivers that have raced for Team Penske throughout its 52-year history, none followed the path to prominence like Wallace. A little-known fact to most, Wallace actually made his first two starts for Roger Penske's team in 1980, finishing second in his debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The short-track ace from Missouri did not return to compete for the Captain until 1991, when he raced the iconic yellow and black Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac. Wallace produced the final 37 of his 55 career premier NASCAR series victories for Team Penske, which ranks sixth on the organization's all-time wins list. Wallace was the 1989 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and a 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee. "This is a great award and a great honor," said Wallace of his Team Penske Hall of Fame induction. "I didn't expect this was going to happen at all. I'm really honored to be in the Team Penske Hall of Fame, but even more honored to have driven for Roger. I always wanted to be a Penske driver. Even when I had other offers, I wanted to drive for Penske. To be in a club with the likes of Roger, Rick Mears, Mark Donohue, Walter (Czarnecki) and Karl Kainhofer is a real honor."
Don Miller (2019)
Don Miller met team owner Roger Penske in the early 1970s during his time as a sales manager for National Engines and Parts, Co. in St. Louis. Miller joined Penske Racing in 1972, working on the team’s stock car and IndyCar programs. A former racer himself, Miller brought a wide range of experience to the team and he worked in many capacities on his way to becoming Vice President of Penske Products. Miller was instrumental in bringing Penske Racing back into full-time NASCAR competition in 1991 with driver and fellow Team Penske Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. Miller then became President of Penske Racing South, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team’s stock car program. Under Miller’s leadership, Penske stock car teams produced a total of 69 victories in NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA competition until his retirement in 2007. The Chicago native was also an innovator in the sport, helping to design and develop several car safety advancements in NASCAR while leading the Penske team. “When I first started at Team Penske there were 29 of us,” said Miller. “The population has grown significantly since then, but there is no place I’d rather be. I always tried to do the very best, not only for this team, but for Mr. Penske. When you are a member of this team, he will always have your back. I really appreciate this award. I am honored to be a part of this organization and the Team Penske Hall of Fame.”
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Dan Luginbuhl (2019)
When Luginbuhl joined Penske Racing in 1969, he helped chart the course for the team’s innovative and successful partnership model. He also helped pioneer modern motorsports public relations and marketing. Early in his tenure with Penske Racing, Luginbuhl cultivated the relationship with key team sponsor Sunoco, before he helped foster partnerships with some of the other top brands in motorsports including Pennzoil, Marlboro, Miller, Goodyear, Mobil, Mercedes-Benz and many other Fortune 500 companies. Under his guiding hand, Team Penske became the industry leader in American motorsports media relations, sponsorship and hospitality – a standard that continues today. Over his 35-year career with Team Penske, Luginbuhl distinguished himself in numerous roles within the organization as he helped define and refine the Penske brand. He served as Vice President of Communications when he retired in 2002 and he continues to be a valued resource for Team Penske. “I am very honored to receive this special honor. And I am humbled to be in the company of some amazing people,” said Luginbuhl. “It’s been my privilege to work with many a great people over the years. We have come a long way since 1969 and our team of 10 working at the four-bay truck garage in Pennsylvania. But the mission today is still the same - work together, get the job done, keep building the Penske brand worldwide and of course, ‘effort equals results.’”
Helio Castroneves (2020)
Helio Castroneves joined Team Penske in 2000 and the popular Brazilian racer almost instantly became one of the brightest stars in INDYCAR racing. He earned 30 NTT INDYCAR SERIES victories for the team, including three memorable Indianapolis 500 wins. Castroneves became the first driver in history to win in his first two career Indy 500 starts when he produced victories in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in both 2001 and 2002. He won again at Indy for Team Penske in 2009 and in 2021, he tied the record for most wins in Indianapolis 500 history when he took the checkered flag for another team to earn his fourth career victory, equaling the mark held by A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Team Penske’s own Rick Mears. Castroneves transitioned to Team Penske’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program in 2018. After earning five victories over three seasons, Castroneves and his teammate Ricky Taylor captured the series DPi championship in 2020, representing the first series title in the legendary career of the talented Brazilian driver. After 21 seasons and 344 combined career starts, Castroneves produced 36 wins (seventh in team history), 60 poles (third in team history), 107 podium results (first in team history) and 160 top-five finishes (second in team history).
Tim Cindric (2021)
Cindric came to Team Penske at the end of the 1999 INDYCAR season as the President of Penske Racing Inc. Cindric was elevated to the role of President of Penske Performance in 2005 and continues to lead all racing operations today, along with Penske Technology Group and Penske Restoration. Widely renowned as one of the brightest minds in racing as a team strategist in INDYCAR and IMSA, one of Cindric’s largest initiatives came between 2005-2007 when he coordinated the move of the team’s NASCAR, INDYCAR and Sports Car operations under one 400,000-square-foot roof in Mooresville, NC. In 2014, Cindric led additional Team Penske expansion with the formation of the former DJR Team Penske program in the Australian Supercars Series. Cindric also led the effort to establish Porsche Penske Motorsport that will campaign two Porsche 963 prototypes in both IMSA and WEC beginning in 2023. Over the course of Cindric’s tenure, Team Penske has produced 28 major racing championships, over 400 race victories, nine Indianapolis 500 titles and three Daytona 500 wins.
Jerry Breon (2021)
Throughout his 40-plus year career at Team Penske, Breon embodied the term “human capital” frequently used by team founder Roger Penske to recognize the organization’s greatest resource. Breon joined the team as a mechanic for the former IROC program and within six months was promoted to lead the fabrication department, a position he would hold until 1999. He then transitioned to the role of facilities manager for the former Team Penske INDYCAR shop and Racing Experience located in Reading, Penn. Breon was a vital member of the group that led the consolidation of all of the Team Penske teams during the transition to the organization’s current Mooresville, NC facility. Breon also served as an over-the-wall member for Team Penske for 21 years, most notably as a tire changer for the INDYCAR program. He retired as the organization’s facilities manager in 2017 as one of the longest-tenured employees in the history of Team Penske.
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Larry Bluth (2022)
Larry Bluth is Vice President and General Counsel for Penske Corporation and he also serves as Team Penske’s General Counsel. He joined the team in 1981 and became General Counsel in 1986. Bluth has overseen all organizational legal matters, while managing legal policy and strategy since that time, including the overall structure of the company’s motorsports business. Bluth helped establish Team Penske’s re-entries into NASCAR and sports car racing, the acquisition and development of its team facilities as well as the organization’s race track ownership. In addition, Bluth has also crafted and executed Team Penske’s sponsorship, driver and OEM agreements.
Clive Howell (2022)
Clive Howell retired from Team Penske at the end of the 2018 season following a distinguished, 39-year career with the organization. A native of Surry, England, Howell began his professional career with an internship in the British aviation industry, where he became a qualified tool maker. Howell then maximized a family connection at Motor Racing Developments, a company started by Sir Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac and later purchased by Bernie Ecclestone, to begin his racing career. After working in Formula 1 with Brabham, Howell joined Penske Cars, Ltd. in Poole, Dorset, England. He then transitioned to the Team Penske INDYCAR SERIES operation in Reading, Pennsylvania, first serving as a mechanic on the car driven by Bobby Unser. Howell advanced quickly in the organization, working in several management positions before he retired in 2018 after 20 years as the General Manager for Penske Racing Inc., an entity that oversaw the team’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES and, formerly, IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship programs. Howell helped oversee 15 of Team Penske’s record 19 victories in the Indianapolis 500, as well as 12 of the team’s 17 INDYCAR SERIES championships.
Roger Penske was inducted into the Team Penske Hall of Fame at the organization's 50th anniversary celebration in Charlotte in 2016.
Walt Czarnecki (left) and Tim Cindric (far right) present the first Team Penske Hall of Fame awards to Roger Penske and David Donohue, Mark Donohue's son, at the team's 50th anniversary celebration.
Team Penske Hall of Fame Inductees Karl Kainhofer and Rick Mears with Roger Penske at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2017.
Roger Penske welcomes Walt Czarnecki (left) and Rusty Wallace (right) to the Team Penske Hall of Fame in 2018 at Michigan International Speedway.
2019 Team Penske Hall of Fame inductees Don Miller (left) and Dan Luginbuhl (right) with Roger Penske.
Helio Castroneves proudly displays his Team Penske Hall of Fame award at his home in Florida.
As the members of the 2021 class, Tim Cindric (left) and Jerry Breon are presented with their Team Penske Hall of Fame awards by Roger Penske.
Longtime legal counsel Larry Bluth and former Team Penske GM Clive Howell at their Hall of Fame induction in 2022