Penske Racing Inc. has been racing in the United States since 1966, scoring victories in every series in which it has competed. Penske Racing is the most successful Indy car racing team in history with 153 race wins, 12 Indy car national championships and 196 pole positions.

Roger Penske was one of America's most successful young road racers before he retired from driving in 1965 to focus on his business interests. His team fielded Corvettes in the 1966 endurance races at Daytona and Sebring before joining forces with driver Mark Donohue to race in the USRRC and Can-Am sports-car series. Penske Racing found success early with Donohue, winning two consecutive USRRC championships and three SCCA Trans-Am championships.

Penske and Donohue moved into Indy car racing by competing in two USAC-sanctioned road races in 1968. In 1969, the team entered the Indianapolis 500 for the first time, and Donohue finished seventh, earning Rookie of the Year honors.

Other drivers who have piloted Penske Racing's open-wheel machines in USAC, CART and the IZOD IndyCar Series include Rick Mears, Tom Sneva, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Danny Sullivan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Paul Tracy, Al Unser Jr., Helio Castroneves, Gil de Ferran, Sam Hornish Jr., Ryan Briscoe and Will Power.