Penske Racing

Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League (team based in Reading, Pennsylvania) and NASCAR (team based in Mooresville, North Carolina). They also previously competed in road racing, Formula One and CART. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is headed by Roger Penske.

Endurance Racing

A Lola T70 Mk IIIb entered by Penske was the surprise winner of the 1969 24 hours of Daytona.

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During the 1970 season the compettion between the 5-liter Sport of Porsche and Ferrari turned to the advaantage of the Porsche 917. In 1971 Ferrari decided to give up any official effort with the R-liter Ferrari 512. In order to prepare the 1972 season a new works prototype, the 312 PB was presented and engaged by the factory in several races.

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Roger Penske bought a used 512 M chassis that was totally dismantled and rebuilt. The car was specially tuned for long races receiving many unique features, among them were a large rear wing and an aviation inspired quick refueling system. The engine was tuned by Can-Am V8 specialist Traco, this engine was probably able to deliver more than 600 hp (450 kW). As of today it's impossible to know to what extend Penske's initiative was backed by Ferrari works. This 512 M, painted in a blue and yellow livery, was sponsored by Sunoco and the Californian Ferrari dealer Kirk F. White. This car made the pole position for the 24 hours of Daytona and finished second despite an accident. For the 12 hours of Sebring the "Sunoco" made the pole but finished the race at the sixth position after making contact with Pedro Rodrigez's 917. Despite this misfortune the car had proved to be a serious opponent for the 917. Not only this car was the fastest on track in Daytona and Sebring but it was also the car that had the shortest refueling time.

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The presence of the 512 M "Sunoco" forced Porsche to pursue his effort of research and development on the 917: The 917 K tail was modified, and the 917 LH aerodynamics received further improvements. New Magnesium chassis were developed. An entirely new car, the 917/20 was built as test-bed for future Can-Am parts and aerodynamic "low-drag" concepts.

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In Le Mans the "Sunoco" Ferrari was unable to break the 200 mph (320 km/h) barrier on the straight while the Porsche 917 LH were lightning quick at speeds of over 240 mph (380 km/h). Mark Donohue qualified fourth anyway, which was obviously the result of an aerodynamic configuration that favored downforce over drag, which helped in the twistier sections.

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