Team Penske: The Heart of American Motorsports

Mooresville, NC – Team Penske exemplifies excellence in sportscar racing, where precision and performance are paramount. This enduring legacy is evident in its expansive Mooresville headquarters, which has become a symbol of success in American motorsport with over 640 race wins, nearly 700 poles, and 47 championships since its inception in 1966.

The facility spans 425,000 square feet and supports three major racing programs: the NASCAR Cup Series, INDYCAR Series, and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. With a workforce of approximately 450 skilled employees, Team Penske maintains a culture rooted in winning, as emphasized by the commitment of employees like Dave Eisenhofer, a 40-year veteran leading the body shop.

Facility Insights

Key personnel, including Operations Director Ben Atkins, highlight the streamlined processes facilitated by new NASCAR Next Gen rules, which shift significant components to single-source manufacturing. "Post-race, we can complete the cycle of teardown, analysis, and refit in just three weeks," Atkins states. This efficiency reflects Team Penske’s relentless pursuit of excellence, ensuring each car is race-ready promptly.

In preparation for races, teams employ sophisticated setups and utilize an array of testing equipment, including an on-site pull-down rig for kinematic checks. The team’s adaptability allows it to maintain a focus on winning, with internal resources prioritized over diversification or external contracts.

Celebrating Success

The team’s culture promotes unity through celebrations of victories across all series. Following the recent win at the Sebring 12 Hours, team manager Joel Svensson and driver Felipe Nasr engaged employees during a ‘Win Lunch,’ fostering a familial atmosphere that belies the competitive nature of motorsports.

Advanced Technology and Training

State-of-the-art facilities extend to practice areas, where pit stop techniques are honed to perfection. Advanced training tools, including video analytics, enable crews to refine their performance continuously. Travis Law, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s competition director, notes, “The chassis for INDYCAR has been around since 2012, but the focus on improvement remains constant.”

Notably, the INDYCAR workspace includes a mural celebrating the team’s historic achievements, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and continuity in motorsport.

As Team Penske gears up for upcoming races, its unwavering focus on detail, teamwork, and technological advancement remains the cornerstone of its ongoing dominance in the motorsports landscape.

Images courtesy of Team Penske & Ford Performance