EXCELLENCE IS EXPECTED.

By Peter M. DeLorenzo

Detroit. That Roger Penske is a Titan of Motorsport has been well-established. And the incomparable record of his racing teams amassed over the years is a level of achievement we are unlikely to ever see again in this sport. But I would like to remind everyone that Roger was a champion racer in his own right, and his exploits as a driver are worth remembering too. Look it up. What is Roger's secret to success? It's not one thing it's everything. Roger is the most driven person you'd ever meet. I know, you've probably heard that before, but you have no idea how relentless he really is. He is always three steps ahead of everyone else in thought and action, and he misses nothing. And at 81, his energy level is almost incomprehensible and truly something to behold. 

Roger's success on the race track mirrors his success in business, because he approaches both in the same way. It's all about a focused level of consistency and a disciplined way of doing things. And excellence isn't just a goal to strive for in Roger's world, rather it is expected. And Roger will always tell you that it's about people. Roger not only attracts the best people, he inspires people to be their best, and their unwillingness to let Roger down spurs them on to greatness. We are including the graphic below just to give you an idea of the scope of Roger's enduring success over the years. It would be easy to take all of this for granted, but I would caution you not to. As I said earlier, we are unlikely to see this level of success and achievement in American motorsport ever again. I suggest you plan a weekend to go out and appreciate it for yourself.

And that's the High-Octane Truth for this week.

(Courtesy of Team Penske)


Monterey Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, October 18, 1964. Roger Penske (No. 66 Chaparral 2A Chevrolet) and Dan Gurney (No. 19 Lotus 19G-Ford. Penske filled in for Jim Hall and won, Gurney was second, and Bob Bondurant (No. 96 Shelby American Cooper Monaco T61M-Ford) finished third.

USAC Road Racing Championship, Laguna Seca, 1962. Roger Penske (No. 6 Zerex Special/Climax) leads Dan Gurney (No. 96 Arciero Bros. Lotus 19 Monte Carlo/Climax). Penske bought and repaired a wrecked Cooper F1 car and then put a full body on it. The result? A blistering fast sports racer and the beginning of "The Unfair Advantage" racing philosophy.