Trans Am Hall of Fame: Roger Penske

February 12, 2025

While the name Roger Penske may make many think of the team owner’s success in NASCAR or INDYCAR, he once found great success in the Trans Am Series with his team, then known as Penske Racing. In 1967, the organization earned its first-ever major race win in the new Chevrolet Camaro with Hall of Famer Mark Donohue behind the wheel at Marlboro Motor Raceway. The team would earn two more victories that season, and followed that up with 10 wins in 1968 to earn Chevrolet the manufacturers’ championship. Chevy earned the title again the following year on the strength of six wins from Donohue and two from Ronnie Bucknum. Penske made the switch to the AMC Javelin in 1970 after being recruited by the manufacturer, and by just the fifth event in the new marque, Donohue was in Victory Lane. In 1971, the title went to AMC, with Donohue racking up seven victories for Roger Penske.

Photo credit: Steve Potter