For the Glory: Donohue and Penske

May 26, 2016

 For the Glory: Donohue and Penske

From 1967 to 1971 a dominate force reigned over Trans Am, dueling with some of the greatest road racers to grace North America. They took on all challengers and emerged victorious, capturing three Trans Am championships while launching a full fledged assault on the then youthful record books.

This force was the combination of two future legends of American motorsport, destined for the Motorsport Hall of Fame, the incomparable Roger Penske and the phenomena that was Mark Donohue.

Together they created the first true Trans Am dynasty, partnering for an astonishing 29 victories and 45 top-five finishes in a mere 54 races from 1967 to 1971. Their success helped secure manufacturer’s championships for both Chevrolet (two) and American Motors and left an impact on both Trans Am and motorsports that reverberates to this day.

Their records stood for decades, remaining until the late 90s—and to this day the Donohue name is used as the measuring stick for all Trans Am, and sports car, drivers that aim for excellence.

But the story of Penske and Donohue is so much more than statistics— it’s a story of how a duo took the pony cars of Detroit and put them to work, finding a way to win at all turns. And for their efforts in Trans Am they became one of the most dominant forces the Series, and motorsports, have ever seen—and moving forward from Trans Am the Penske name would become an institution in the world of racing, an icon for the sport.

On Thursday, June 2, Trans Am offers an inside look at the mystique of the Penske-Donohue duo from then Race Team Program Manger, now Penske Executive Vice President, Walt Czarnecki, at the Trans Am Series’ 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the Edison Institute, as he gives his own unique, and first hand, view of the magic of the pony wars.

Tickets for the event, presented by the 3-Dimensional Services Group, are still available for $200 per individual, or $1,500 for a table for eight; interested parties can contact Trans Am at president@gotransam.com.

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