There is perfect. Then there is “Penske Perfect”. It’s a familiar sight at any NTT INDYCAR event. The chrome transporter. The scooters and golf carts all lined up perfectly. It extends even to the drivers. While the term “Stepford” seems too loaded, it fits. The Penske drivers are all clean-shaven, well groomed, and pressed and dressed at all events. It’s attention to detail at every single level. The results are that the Captain celebrated his 500th race win in 2018 (this is across all disciplines his organization races in).
On my way to steal your pole
His drivers may have missed out on the championship or runner up in the 2018 season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the day after Sonoma there was all ready discussions on what to do to regain the championship. It was, by no means, a bad season for Penske drivers in 2018. The defending champion Josef Newgarden finished the season fifth overall. He obtained three first-place finishes, three top-five, and eight top-tens. I am not going to look back in social media, but I really think within a week Newgarden was already starting his “Regain the 1” (I’m not sure what hashtag he landed on) campaign for the 2019 season. Will Power finished third overall with three first-place finishes including a May sweep that gave fans one of the most emotionally charged finishes to the Indianapolis 500. Power also ended the season with six top-five finishes and three top-ten finishes. The final Penske team member and our favorite of the three, Simon Pagenaud ended the season in sixth, obtaining two podium finishes, two top-five finishes, and ten top-ten finishes. Moment of truth – we are huge fans of Simon and the Number 22 Menards. We’ve had the opportunity to interview Simon (you can listen HERE) and his spotter Mike Ford twice (listen Here and Here), and the genuineness of these two guys and everyone around them is amazing.
2019 all ready started for the overall Penske organization. The sportscar team undertook the Rolex 24 with the teams finishing third and eighth overall (you can hear our report HERE and read my write up HERE). Which again the Captain stayed up all 24 hours because of course, he did, he’s that type of leader. The organization has already teased out Season 3 of the Penske Games…oh and Roger was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. As far as the NTT INDYCAR season, Penske Perfection will reign again. Roger is a fierce competitor and I fully expect at least one, if not all three, of the Penske drivers to finish in the top 5.
Racing is simply who we are
We can’t forget – Helio Castroneves is once again competing in May, hoping to win that elusive fourth Indianapolis 500 win.
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