“Penske Racing Team: 40 Years of Excellence”
By Alan Hummel
Foreword by Tom Sneva
Book Review by Gregg Leary
Tom Sneva’s Foreword says volumes about the Penske Racing Team. “I had the good fortune to be noticed and hired by Roger Penske…the single most significant development in my racing career. We always had the latest and best equipment-and in hindsight, I think we also had the best overall team.” How good was the team in the final two years of the four that Sneva drove for it? In 1977 and 1978, Sneva won the pole for the Indy 500 both years…finished 2nd in the race both years…recorded the first official 200 MPH lap at IMS…and won both USAC National Championships.
Many readers may not realize that Roger Penske was a superb racing driver before he became a well known team owner. Roger Penske’s driving resume:
1958: Runs first SCCA race…finishes 2nd
1959: Wins first SCCA race at Vineland, NJ.
1961: 8th in Formula One race at the Glen. SCCA National D Modified Champ. Sports Illustrated’s SCCA “Driver of the Year.”
1962: 9th in Formula One race at the Glen. USAC Road Racing Champion. New York Times “Driver of the Year.”
Roger Penske showed his prowess as a driver at Sebring from 1961-64.
1961: 6th overall (1st in class) with Bob Holbert in Brumos Porsche RS61 #51. (Took Index of Performance Title.)
1962: 5th overall (2nd in Class) with Bruce McLaren in Cooper-Maserati of Briggs Cunningham #21. (Led the race in the early laps.)
1963: 4th overall (1st in Class) with Augie Pabst in Ferrari GTO #24.
1964: 18th overall (1st in Class) with Jim Hall in Chevrolet Corvette GS #4. (Led the first lap.)
