Roger Penske To Be Inducted Into Sonoma Wall Of Fame
August 13, 2015
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2015) – Roger Penske, one of the most renowned figures in auto racing, will be inducted into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame later this month during the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma Verizon IndyCar Series season finale, Aug. 28-30.
Penske, the founder of Penske Corporation, owns multiple teams competing in the Verizon IndyCar Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series under the Team Penske banner. Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced 416 major race wins, over 478 pole positions and 27 National Championships.
Penske also holds an impressive record at Sonoma Raceway, including the record for winningest IndyCar Series team owner with five victories (2008, 2010-2013). His team has a total of 11 IndyCar Series podium finishes and six pole positions on the challenging road course, and Team Penske driver Will Power has led the most laps at 250. Team Penske also completed an impressive podium sweep in 2011, when Power, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe swept the top-three spots in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Penske has also earned two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories in Sonoma, with Rusty Wallace in 1996 and Kurt Busch in 2011.
“Everyone at Team Penske is proud of our accomplishments at Sonoma Raceway,” said Penske. “It is a fantastic venue for both INDYCAR and NASCAR, and they are first-class in everything they do. I’m honored to go into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame to represent everyone at Team Penske who has contributed to our success.”
Penske will be inducted into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame during a ceremony in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle on Saturday, Aug. 29. He will become the 20th member of the raceway’s Wall of Fame, joining the likes of Jeff Gordon (NASCAR), Rick Hendrick (NASCAR) and John Force (NHRA). The recognition joins the list of many accolades for Penske, including his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame in July.
The Wall of Fame is designed to honor those who have excelled not only in their form of motor racing, but more importantly, in Sonoma. Each inductee is recognized during a ceremony with a marble plaque engraved with his/her likeness. All of the plaques are placed onto the Wall of Fame, which is located behind the main grandstand.
“Roger Penske’s touch is evident in virtually every segment of our industry, as a competitor, team owner, promoter and as an overall catalyst for the advancement of motor racing,” said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager. “In honoring Roger on the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame, we recognize not only the terrific record of success he has had at this facility, but also a lifetime of contributions to our sport.”