Penske Takes the Reins of ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’
This weekend’s edition of the Indianapolis 500 will have a distinctly Detroit flavor. Detroit-based businessman and auto racing legend Roger Penske’s team is still a top contender. But Penske bought the famed Brickyard track and won’t be directing his team.
Roger Penske owns the record for the racing team with the most wins at Indy.
Now Penske owns the famed Speedway itself. In fact he oversees all of the Indycar series of races.
Penske’s purchase came before the coronavirus changed the face of the globe.
“The biggest difference is Roger’s vision and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work alongside folks in the trenches.” – Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles
With the pandemic still ongoing, the Indy 500, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” will be a bit less spectacular this year.
Gone are the parades and much of the pomp and circumstance that typically accompany the event, though iconic items like the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” remain intact.
For the first time ever, the race will be run without fans attending. And it will be held on a date other than the traditional Memorial Day weekend.
Yet the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Doug Boles, says Penske was driving improvements at the track long before the pandemic erupted.
And Boles says Penske has not taken his foot off the gas.
