Roger Penske is an American billionaire businessman, former professional race car driver, and motorsports team owner who founded Penske Corporation, a diversified transportation services conglomerate that oversees operations generating more than $43 billion in annual revenue across automotive retail, truck leasing, logistics, and performance parts.[1][2]
As chairman and CEO, Penske has built an empire including Penske Automotive Group, one of the largest dealership networks in the United States, and Penske Logistics, a major third-party provider.[3][2]
His foray into racing began as a driver in the 1950s and 1960s, where he secured multiple victories before transitioning to ownership with Team Penske, which has earned 47 national championships, including 17 in IndyCar racing.[4]
Under his leadership, Team Penske has dominated motorsports, achieving 20 Indianapolis 500 wins as an owner—most recently in 2024—and securing three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships from 2022 to 2024, alongside titles in IMSA sports car racing.[5][6]
In 2019, Penske acquired the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series, consolidating his influence over open-wheel racing.[7][8]
With an estimated net worth of $7.2 billion as of October 2025, Penske exemplifies entrepreneurial success rooted in automotive expertise and relentless pursuit of excellence in business and competition.[2]
Personal Background
Early life and education
Roger Penske was born on February 20, 1937, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, to a family with a background in corporate sales; his father worked for 30 years at a metal distributorship before rising to vice president.[9][10] He attended Shaker Heights High School, graduating in 1955.[11]
Penske enrolled at Lehigh University, where he pursued studies leading to a bachelor's degree in industrial management, graduating in the class of 1959.[12][13] During his university years, he developed an interest in motorsports, beginning to race sports cars prior to completing his degree.[10]
Family and personal life
Penske was first married to Lissa Stouffer, with whom he had two children.[14] He married Kathryn "Kathy" Hulbert on August 3, 1973; the couple has three children—Jay, Gregory, and Blair—and five grandchildren.[15] [16] Jay Penske serves as chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, overseeing outlets such as Rolling Stone and Variety.[16] Gregory Penske holds executive roles within Penske Corporation entities, including oversight of logistics operations.[17]
Penske resides in Birmingham, Michigan.[2] He maintains a notable collection of rare American and European automobiles, reflecting his lifelong passion for motorsports and engineering.[11]
In philanthropy, Penske has directed efforts toward veterans' causes, education, and community support, including matching employee donations to organizations aiding paralyzed veterans and contributing to institutions like Lehigh University.[9] [12] His company, Penske Corporation, supports initiatives such as Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, and Ronald McDonald House through corporate giving programs.[18] Penske has served on boards including those of General Electric and Delphi Automotive, leveraging his influence for charitable and business-aligned endeavors.[11]
Driving Career
Entry and early successes
Penske began his racing career in 1958, competing in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events as a 21-year-old student at Lehigh University.[19] [4] His early efforts focused on road racing, where he quickly demonstrated skill in modified sports cars, including Porsches.[10]
Penske recorded his first victory in 1959 at Lime Rock Park, driving a Porsche in an SCCA regional event.[20] By 1961, he had advanced to claim the SCCA National D Modified championship, earning recognition as Sports Illustrated's SCCA Driver of the Year for his dominant performances in the class.[19]
In 1962, Penske modified a damaged Formula 1 Cooper into the Zerex Special, a versatile machine that secured wins in premier U.S. sports car races at Riverside International Raceway and Laguna Seca Raceway.[10] He added further triumphs that year in Puerto Rico and Nassau, amassing $34,350 in prize money and accolades as Sports Car Driver of the Year from Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times.[10] [19]
Penske's 1963 season included a second-place finish in the Daytona Continental sports car race driving a Ferrari 250 GTO and his only NASCAR Grand National Series win in the Riverside 250, piloting a 1963 Pontiac Catalina for owner Ray Nichels on May 16.[19] [21] These results solidified his reputation as one of America's most accomplished young road racers before his retirement from driving in 1965.[4] [10]
Major races and retirement
Penske's driving career peaked in sports car racing, where he secured four consecutive SCCA National Championships from 1960 to 1963, driving modified production cars in the D Production class.[22] In 1962, he also claimed the USAC Road Racing Championship, demonstrating dominance in road racing events across various venues.[23] His victories included a GT class win at the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring, co-driven in a Chevrolet Corvette, and multiple successes at Nassau Speed Week in 1964, where he won three major races.[24][25]
Penske ventured into international competition, entering two Formula One races in 1964 with a privateer BRM P57, though he failed to score points in the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.[23] He additionally triumphed in a USRRC Manufacturers' Championship race at Pensacola in 1963.[24] These achievements earned him recognition as Sports Illustrated's SCCA Driver of the Year.[22]
In 1965, at age 28, Penske announced his retirement from driving to focus on expanding his automotive dealership business, particularly his first Chevrolet franchise in Philadelphia.[26] This decision marked a shift toward team ownership and business ventures, allowing him to apply his racing discipline to entrepreneurial pursuits without the physical demands of competition.[10]
Business Empire
Founding and core operations
Roger Penske established Penske Corporation on December 1, 1969, through the acquisition of a small car and light-truck rental and leasing operation based in eastern Pennsylvania, initially comprising three locations.[27] This foundational purchase marked the entry into commercial vehicle leasing and rental services, leveraging Penske's prior experience in automotive performance and transportation efficiency derived from his racing background.[28] The company began as a closely held entity focused on providing reliable, on-highway transportation solutions to businesses, emphasizing maintenance, fleet management, and customer commitment.[29]
At its core, Penske Corporation functions as a diversified provider of transportation services, with primary operations spanning truck leasing, automotive retail, and logistics. Penske Truck Leasing, the flagship subsidiary originating from the 1969 acquisition, offers full-service leasing, rental, and maintenance for commercial trucks and vans, serving industries such as manufacturing, retail, and construction across North America and Europe.[28] Complementary to this, Penske Automotive Group operates over 300 retail locations globally, dealing in new and used vehicle sales, service, and financing for brands including luxury marques.[29] Penske Logistics provides end-to-end supply chain management, including dedicated contract carriage, warehousing, and distribution, often integrated with dedicated fleets for major manufacturers.[30]
These operations are unified under a model prioritizing operational excellence, preventive maintenance, and technological integration, such as telematics for fleet tracking, which has sustained growth to consolidated annual revenues surpassing $43 billion, more than 3,300 facilities, and over 73,000 employees worldwide.[31] Penske maintains control as chairman, with strategic decisions centered on scalable, asset-light services that minimize downtime and optimize vehicle utilization for commercial clients.[29]
Key expansions and acquisitions
In the 1960s, Penske expanded his initial Chevrolet dealership in Philadelphia by acquiring additional automotive retail outlets, including specialty tire stores, to build a foundation in vehicle sales and service.[32] By 1985, the company made a significant move in retail automotive with the acquisition of Longo Toyota in El Monte, California, then the largest Toyota dealership in the United States, enhancing its presence in import vehicle sales.[33]
Penske entered the truck leasing sector in 1969 with a small rental and lease operation that grew through targeted acquisitions, reaching 102 locations by the mid-1980s. In 1983, it acquired Goldston's truck renting and leasing business, followed in 1986 by Leaseway Transportation's truck operations, bolstering its commercial vehicle fleet management capabilities.[34] In 1988, Penske formed a joint venture with GE Capital to establish Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., which expanded the company's full-service truck leasing and maintenance offerings nationwide.[35]
A pivotal diversification occurred in December 1987 when Penske acquired Detroit Diesel Allison Corporation for approximately $450 million, marking its largest purchase to date and entry into heavy-duty engine manufacturing, though this venture faced challenges due to industry shifts toward lighter diesel engines.[33] In 1995, the logistics arm expanded globally by acquiring Leaseway Transportation Corp.'s entire operations, integrating supply chain services and enabling international growth in dedicated contract carriage.[34]
The late 1990s saw further consolidation in automotive retail with the 1999 acquisition of United Auto Group for $1.5 billion in stock, which Penske rebranded as Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG), creating a network of over 100 dealerships focused on luxury and high-volume brands.[36] Subsequent expansions included the 2015 purchase of Transfreight North America by Penske Logistics, adding specialized automotive logistics expertise, and ongoing PAG acquisitions such as Bill Brown Ford in July 2024, extending its U.S. dealership footprint.[27][37] These moves transformed Penske's holdings into a diversified empire spanning retail, leasing, and logistics, with annual revenues exceeding $30 billion by the 2020s.[38]
Motorsports Ownership
Team Penske history
Team Penske was established in 1966 by Roger Penske following his retirement from competitive driving in 1965, initially focusing on sports car racing with Chevrolet Corvettes. Mark Donohue drove the team's entries to class victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966, marking the organization's early success in endurance events.[26] The team expanded into the USRRC and Trans-Am series, where Donohue secured championships in 1967 and 1968, respectively.[26]
In 1968, Team Penske entered USAC Indy car road races, debuting at the Indianapolis 500 in 1969 with Donohue, who finished seventh and earned Rookie of the Year honors. The team achieved its first Indianapolis 500 victory in 1972 with Donohue driving a McLaren-Offy to victory.[4] That same year, Penske made its NASCAR debut at Riverside International Raceway with Donohue in an AMC Matador, competing in select Grand National events. The following year, Donohue secured the team's first NASCAR win at Riverside in the Winston Western 500, leading 138 of 191 laps.[39]
Team Penske ventured into Formula One in the mid-1970s, achieving its sole Grand Prix victory in 1976 when John Watson won the Austrian Grand Prix in a Penske PC4-Ford. In Indy car racing, Rick Mears joined in 1978, winning the 1979 Indianapolis 500 and CART championship, the first of multiple titles for the team in the series.[4] After a period of limited NASCAR involvement, Penske re-entered the series full-time in 1991 by establishing Penske Racing South, pairing Rusty Wallace with a Ford Thunderbird; Wallace captured the IROC championship that year.[4]
The team transitioned to the Indy Racing League full-time in 2002 after competing selectively in 2001, with Helio Castroneves winning the 2001 Indianapolis 500 under CART sanctioning. Sam Hornish Jr. delivered the 2006 Indy 500 win and series championship. In NASCAR, Brad Keselowski claimed the 2012 Cup Series title, followed by Joey Logano's victories in 2018, 2022, and 2024, and Ryan Blaney's in 2023.[26] Team Penske has amassed over 650 major race wins across disciplines, including 20 Indianapolis 500 triumphs as of 2024.[4]
Championships and innovations
Team Penske has amassed 48 national championships across 11 motorsports series as of October 2025, including the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship secured by Porsche Penske Motorsport at Petit Le Mans.[40] In the NTT IndyCar Series, the team holds a record 17 drivers' championships, with notable streaks of three consecutive titles from 1977 to 1979 (Tom Sneva, Rick Mears) and 1981 to 1983 (Mears), alongside recent victories by Will Power in 2014 and Josef Newgarden in 2023.[41] These achievements are complemented by 19 Indianapolis 500 wins, spanning from Mark Donohue's 1969 victory to Newgarden's back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024.[4]
In NASCAR's Cup Series, Team Penske has claimed five drivers' championships: Rusty Wallace in 1992 (though operated under different branding at times, integrated into Penske legacy), Kurt Busch in 2004, Brad Keselowski in 2012, and Joey Logano in 2018 and 2022, contributing to over 155 race victories in the series.[42] The team's success extends to other disciplines, including IMSA endurance racing titles and Australian Supercars championships, underscoring a diversified dominance driven by meticulous preparation and driver development.[4]
Penske's innovations in motorsports emphasize engineering precision and operational professionalism, pioneering rigorous testing protocols and data analytics that elevated team performance standards in the 1960s and 1970s, as exemplified by Mark Donohue's focus on suspension tuning and track-specific setups detailed in his 1971 book The Unfair Advantage.[23] Under Penske's leadership, Team Penske introduced advanced aerodynamic developments, such as ground effects optimization in IndyCars during the late 1980s, and later adopted hybrid powertrain strategies in IMSA prototypes, contributing to their 2025 championship through superior fuel efficiency and reliability.[43] These advancements, rooted in cross-disciplinary engineering from Penske's automotive expertise, have set benchmarks for innovation, including early adoption of telemetry systems that informed real-time strategy adjustments.[4]
Series and venue ownership
In November 2019, Penske Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of Penske Corporation chaired by Roger Penske, agreed to acquire the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), the NTT IndyCar Series, and IMS Productions from Hulman & Company, marking the end of the Hulman family's 74-year ownership of these assets.[7][8] The transaction, valued at an undisclosed amount but reported to exceed $300 million in some analyses, was completed on January 5, 2020, granting Penske full control over the 2.5-mile IMS oval—host of the annual Indianapolis 500 since 1911—and the premier open-wheel IndyCar racing series, which sanctions 17 races across North America.[44][45]
Under Penske's ownership, the portfolio expanded to include INDY NXT by Firestone, the developmental feeder series for IndyCar, emphasizing talent pipelines and series sustainability.[46] IMS serves as the flagship venue, accommodating over 300,000 spectators for the Indy 500 and generating significant economic impact through events like the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race, while IndyCar operates as a sanctioning body focused on high-speed oval, road, and street course competitions.[29] No additional major racing series or venues have been acquired beyond this core group, distinguishing Penske's holdings from broader motorsports conglomerates.
On July 31, 2025, Penske Entertainment sold a one-third equity stake to Fox Corporation for an undisclosed sum, retaining majority control while leveraging Fox's media resources—following Fox's acquisition of IndyCar broadcast rights earlier that year—to enhance promotion and distribution.[47][48] This strategic partnership aims to expand IndyCar's audience amid competitive pressures from series like Formula 1 and NASCAR, without altering operational governance, which remains under Penske's direction.[49]
Recent racing developments
In 2024, Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney advanced to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs final four, with Logano clinching the series championship on November 10 at Phoenix Raceway, marking Penske's third Cup title in five years.[50] Concurrently, Porsche Penske Motorsport, operated in partnership with Team Penske, secured both the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship teams' title and the Hypercar drivers' championship, highlighted by victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.[51]
Entering 2025, Team Penske maintained three full-time entries in both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR Cup Series, with INDYCAR lineups featuring Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Will Power in his final season before departing the organization.[52] [53] Power added to his 42 career wins for the team with victory number 45 at the Grand Prix of Portland on August 31, though the team faced competitive hurdles elsewhere, including a winless streak in NASCAR Cup playoffs amid the Next Gen era's evolving dynamics.[54] [55]
On July 4, 2025, Team Penske restructured leadership for its INDYCAR and sports car programs, appointing new directors to oversee operations amid ongoing series commitments.[56] A pivotal ownership shift occurred on July 31, when Fox Corporation acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment—the entity controlling the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar Series operations, and related assets—for an undisclosed sum, aiming to bolster media integration while Penske retained majority control.[57] [58]
Looking toward 2026, David Malukas conducted his first on-track test with Team Penske on October 7 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, preparing for a full-season INDYCAR role starting with the March 1 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, signaling a driver lineup refresh post-Power.[59]
Controversies and Criticisms
2024 push-to-pass violation
In March 2024, during the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10, Team Penske's three Dallara-Chevrolet IndyCar entries—driven by Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Will Power—were equipped with unauthorized push-to-pass software that enabled activation during prohibited conditions, including restarts and when not trailing a competitor.[60] This violated INDYCAR Rule 14.19.15, requiring telemetry indicators for push-to-pass only when permitted, and Rule 14.19.16, mandating system disablement otherwise.[60] The illicit parameter, a remnant from 2023 off-season testing intended for development but never removed, allowed drivers to access an extra 60 horsepower boost—normally restricted to overtaking scenarios—providing an unfair advantage on restarts.[61][62]
The violation was uncovered after the April 21 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, when INDYCAR reviewed uploaded telemetry data revealing the illegal "tri-state" software code in Penske's cars; subsequent analysis of St. Petersburg logs confirmed usage by Newgarden and McLaughlin during multiple restarts, while Power's car had the capability but no recorded activation.[62][60] Team Penske acknowledged the oversight in an April 24 statement, noting the team had identified the issue during Long Beach preparations and proactively informed series officials before the race, leading to immediate software corrections.[61] Penalties announced that day included disqualifying Newgarden from first place (relegating him to last with a 54-point deduction), disqualifying McLaughlin from ninth (35-point loss), and fining Power $25,000 while allowing him to retain third place and points; the team also forfeited all associated prize money.[60]
Newgarden and McLaughlin maintained they were unaware of the infraction, with Newgarden citing a mistaken belief that 2024 rules had been updated to permit push-to-pass on restarts—a claim contradicted by unchanged regulations from prior seasons—while expressing remorse over the "organizational failure."[63][62] Power similarly denied intentional use.[63] The scandal nullified what would have been a Penske sweep of the podium, drawing criticism for undermining competitive integrity in a series where Penske holds dual roles as team owner and INDYCAR commercial rights controller, though officials emphasized the self-disclosure mitigated harsher sanctions.[62]
2025 Indy 500 cheating scandal
During qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 on May 18, 2025, Team Penske's Nos. 2 and 12 cars, driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power respectively, failed technical inspection after being found with unauthorized software modifications enabling continuous access to the IndyCar Series' 50-horsepower push-to-pass boost, which is restricted to specific situations like restarts and passing slower cars.[64][65] The violation involved altering the engine control unit (ECU) firmware to bypass limitations, mirroring a prior infraction from the 2024 St. Petersburg season opener where Scott McLaughlin's No. 3 car was disqualified for similar improper push-to-pass activation.[66][67] Team Penske forfeited its guaranteed Top 12 qualifying attempt as a result, preventing both drivers from competing in the high-stakes pole position shootout, though they retained starting positions based on earlier sessions.[68]
IndyCar officials announced penalties on May 19, 2025, including disqualification of the Nos. 2 and 12 cars from Top 12 results, suspension of the respective team strategists for the duration of the May 25 race, and fines totaling $100,000 per car, emphasizing the breach undermined competitive integrity.[65] In response, Roger Penske, as owner of Team Penske, dismissed three senior executives on May 21, 2025: team president Tim Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski, and general manager Kyle Moyer, citing accountability for the oversight failure that allowed the modifications to occur undetected during preparations.[69][67] Penske publicly addressed the issue, stating the actions were "unacceptable" and that the team would implement stricter internal protocols, while IndyCar series president Mark Miles noted the investigation revealed no evidence of intentional driver involvement but highlighted lapses in team engineering compliance.[70]
The scandal drew widespread criticism within the paddock, with competitors like A.J. Foyt labeling it a "serious breach" that eroded trust, particularly given Team Penske's dominance and Penske Corporation's ownership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2020.[71] Despite the penalties, Newgarden and Power started 5th and 7th respectively in the race, but the incident overshadowed preparations and fueled debates on enforcement rigor in a series where Penske-affiliated entities hold significant influence.[64][72] No further competitive disqualifications were issued for the race itself, but the episode marked the second consecutive year of push-to-pass-related violations for the team, prompting calls for enhanced ECU auditing across all entries.[65]
Conflict of interest debates
The acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and IndyCar series by Penske Entertainment Group in November 2019 raised immediate concerns among stakeholders about potential conflicts of interest, given Roger Penske's concurrent ownership of the dominant Team Penske, which fields multiple entries in the series.[64] Critics argued that unified control over the sanctioning body, track operations, and a top competitor could compromise impartiality in rule enforcement, scheduling, and resource allocation, potentially prioritizing Penske's racing interests over competitive equity.[73] To mitigate this, Penske implemented structural safeguards, including an independent board of directors for IndyCar governance and a chief steward role to oversee race control, explicitly acknowledging the inherent tensions in his dual roles.[74]
These debates intensified following high-profile rule violations involving Team Penske, with observers questioning whether penalties reflected genuine accountability or self-preservation, thereby eroding perceptions of series legitimacy.[75] Fox Sports analyst James Hinchcliffe, a former IndyCar driver, publicly stated in May 2025 that Penske's ownership structure "hinders the legitimacy" of the series and impedes global growth efforts, urging separation of team and series ownership to restore trust.[76] Similarly, anonymous team owners expressed skepticism toward Penske's decisions, citing the conflict as a core issue undermining officiating credibility.[73] In response, Penske emphasized personal accountability, stating in May 2025 that he bore responsibility for lapses and committed to leadership changes, while defending the governance model as sufficient when properly executed.[77]
Proponents of Penske's model, including McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, countered in June 2025 that criticisms from rival owners represented a "disservice" to the series' stability, arguing that Penske's investments had rescued IndyCar from financial distress post-Hulman ownership.[78] By September 2025, IndyCar announced explorations of enhanced independent oversight mechanisms, such as a fully autonomous governing board, to address optics of favoritism without requiring divestiture of Team Penske.[79] Despite these measures, the structural overlap continues to fuel discourse, with some analysts noting that while no systemic favoritism has been empirically proven beyond isolated incidents, the perception alone risks alienating participants and fans in a series historically sensitive to governance transparency.[80]
Awards, Honors, and Legacy
Personal and team awards
Roger Penske earned four consecutive Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championships as a driver from 1960 to 1963.[22] In 1961, he won the SCCA National D Modified championship and was named Sports Illustrated's SCCA Driver of the Year.[81][82] The following year, he received the New York Times Driver of the Year award.[81]
In recognition of his broader contributions to motorsports and business, Penske was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019.[83] That same year, President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.[84] He was also inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.[82][85] In June 2025, Penske received the Automotive News Centennial Award for his achievements in motorsports and auto retail.[86]
Under Penske's ownership, Team Penske has amassed 47 national championships across various series, including a record 17 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.[4][41] The team holds the all-time record with 20 victories in the Indianapolis 500, earning 20 "Baby Borg" trophies since its first win in 1972.[87] In NASCAR's Cup Series, Team Penske has secured five owner's championships as of 2024, along with three Daytona 500 wins and over 147 victories.[5][88] Additional team achievements include a Formula 1 Grand Prix victory and dominance in sports car racing, contributing to nearly 630 total wins across disciplines.[89][90] The organization captured 12 championships across its programs in the six seasons leading up to 2019.[83]
Series Key Team Achievements
INDYCAR 17 championships; 20 Indianapolis 500 wins; over 240 victories[4][41]
NASCAR Cup 5 owner's championships; 3 Daytona 500 wins; 147+ victories[5][88]
Other 1 Formula 1 win; multiple sports car titles (e.g., USRRC 1967–1968)[89][81]
Philanthropy and economic impact
The Penske Family Foundation pledged $3 million in December 2024 to the Oakland County Integrated Care Center in Pontiac, Michigan, disbursed over three years to expand integrated primary care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment for underserved populations.[91][92] The Penske Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity, has awarded over $100 million in total grants and contributions since its establishment, including $10.1 million in grants during a recent fiscal year, supporting causes in education, health, and community development primarily in Michigan.
Penske Automotive Group, under Penske's oversight, donated $1.13 million to Paralyzed Veterans of America to aid veterans with spinal cord injuries and related conditions.[93] Roger Penske personally contributed $100,000 to the Universal Technical Institute Foundation to fund awards for high-achieving automotive technology students nearing graduation.[94] Corporate initiatives through Penske entities have also backed organizations such as Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, and Ronald McDonald House via in-kind support and logistics aid for disaster relief.[18]
As chairman of Penske Corporation, Penske directs a portfolio of transportation, automotive, and logistics firms generating consolidated annual revenues exceeding $43 billion across more than 3,300 global locations, employing over 73,000 workers and sustaining supply chain operations critical to manufacturing and commerce.[31] These enterprises, including Penske Truck Leasing with 40,000 employees and $8.4 billion in revenue, provide essential trucking, rental, and fleet management services that underpin economic activity in North America and Europe.[31] Penske Automotive Group alone reported $7.7 billion in quarterly revenue for Q4 2024, supporting 28,900 jobs in vehicle sales, service, and distribution.[95]
Penske's revival of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix since 2012 has delivered measurable economic benefits to Detroit, with the 2025 event projected to attract 150,000 visitors and yield $104 million in regional impact through direct spending on hospitality, retail, and events, though independent analyses have questioned the multiplier effects in prior years as potentially overstated.[96][97] The series has cumulatively supported downtown revitalization by drawing national attention and spurring infrastructure investments, aligning with broader efforts to host major events like the NFL Draft and Super Bowl in the city.