Roger Penske’s Indy Pace Car Parade on Woodward

Roger Penske, with his 1972 Old 442 Indy Pace Car, flanked by 4-time Indy winners Rick Mears (L) and Al Unser. 1972 was the first of Penske’s record 16 Indy wins.

By Bob Berry

This is so totally cool-and it took the coolest guy in the room to do it.

Bloomfield Hills’ Roger Penske had a parade on Woodward Thursday. And not just any, but a parade of the SIXTEEN Indianapolis Pace Cars he has won in his legendary racing career!

Now that’s cruisin’ Woodward!

And who did he get to drive those cars? How about names like 4-time winners Rick Mears and Al Unser, 3-time winners Helio Castroneves and Bobby Unser?  Plus 2-time winner Al Unser Jr. .and Rochester Hills’ Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Champion.  To name a few.

Proving why he’s the boss, “The Captain”, a former sports car racing champion, smartly put ’em all in his rear-view mirror, leading the parade with  a 1972 Cutlass 442. That car was his first Indy Pace Car “trophy”, collected after winning that year’s race with the late Mark Donohue.

Roger Penske has made a huge impact on Metro Detroit over the years, going back to his dealership on Telegraph Road, his ownership of Detroit Diesel, and his vision-which helped bring the Super Bowl to The D and the annual Indy Car race to Belle Isle.  Read all about the Thursday’s parade and learn what drives Roger Penske with this story from ESPN. Or check the video, and go fishtailing with “Bad Brad” and WXYZ-TV Action News.