Who is Roger Penske?
Roger Penske: the man, the myth, the legend. Born on February 20, 1937, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, he wasn’t just any kid tinkering with cars; he was practically born with a wrench in his hand. Encouraged by his father, Jay, a corporate executive with a knack for entrepreneurship, young Roger didn’t just dream of fast cars—he bought, repaired, and sold them from his family’s home. It’s like if Tony Stark had a garage sale every weekend. Penske graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1955 and took his talents to Lehigh University, where he graduated in 1959. And, of course, he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, where we can only assume he was the guy fixing everyone’s cars for beer money.
Roger Penske’s Career
Roger Penske’s career is the stuff of racing legends and boardroom folklore. His racing journey began in the exhilarating world of hillclimbing and road course racing in Porsches. Picture this: a young Penske tearing up the tracks, probably leaving everyone else wondering if he had a turbocharged rocket under his hood. By 1961, he was named Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated, making him the Brad Pitt of the racing world—minus the acting chops and the paparazzi.
Penske competed in two Formula One Grands Prix and won a NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model race at Riverside in 1963. But like any savvy entrepreneur, he knew when to shift gears. He retired from driving in 1965 to focus on his first Chevrolet dealership in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Little did the world know, this was just the beginning of Penske’s master plan to conquer both the racing tracks and the corporate boardrooms.
Roger Penske Net Worth
Alright, let’s talk numbers—because who doesn’t love a good number game, especially when they include lots of zeros? As of 2024, Roger Penske’s net worth is estimated to be a jaw-dropping $3.8 billion. Yes, you read that right. That’s billion with a ‘B’. From his humble beginnings flipping cars to building an empire that includes Penske Automotive Group, Penske Truck Leasing, and even owning the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Penske’s net worth is as impressive as his resume.
He’s also the proud owner of shares in UBS AG Jersey, Penske Automotive Group Inc, and Universal Technical Institute Inc. Just his shares in Penske Automotive Group Inc alone are worth over $44 million. It’s safe to say, if you see him reaching for the check at dinner, let him—he’s got it covered.
Roger Penske’s Age
Roger Penske, the ageless wonder. Born in 1937, he’s now 87 years young. But let’s be honest, this guy has more energy and drive than people half his age. It’s like he found the Fountain of Youth somewhere along the Indy 500 track. While most people are enjoying their golden years playing golf, Penske is busy running a multi-billion-dollar empire and probably planning his next big business move. Age is just a number, and in Penske’s case, it’s a very misleading one.
Roger Penske Family: Wife and Children
Behind every great man is a woman shaking her head at his latest crazy idea. For Roger Penske, that woman is Kathy Penske, his second wife. Together, they have three children: Roger Jr., Gregory, and Jay. He also has two children, Blair and Mark, from his first marriage to Lissa.
Gregory Penske is following in his father’s fast-paced footsteps as the chairman and CEO of Penske Motor Group. Jay Penske, the family’s media mogul, is the chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, which owns big names like The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, and Variety. The Penske kids didn’t just inherit their dad’s business acumen—they also got his knack for turning everything they touch into gold.
Roger Penske Height and Weight
Standing tall at 5’10” and weighing around 170 pounds, Roger Penske isn’t exactly towering over anyone in the literal sense, but his presence in the room is undeniable. It’s like he carries the weight of his accomplishments with him, making him seem larger than life. Plus, we all know it’s not the height of the man in the race, but the size of the drive in the man.
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