With 47 championships and over 600 victories across all series, Team Penske is at a level that cannot be easily matched. But to get to this level, Roger Penske needed all the support he could get – both on and off the track. He got that golden guidance from the better half of his life, Kathy Penske. The powerhouse couple has been married for over half a century!

Their bond sprang in the middle of Roger Penske’s rise to fame as a motorsports businessman. In 1966, he founded Team Penske, which went on to become a renowned name in IndyCar and NASCAR. Early in his journey, he met with his partner, who would accompany him for the rest of his life.

Roger Penske’s wife – obscure yet prominent

Any long-lasting relationship can have a powerful impact. Yet, Roger Penske has not been married only once. In the late 1950s, Penske was rising as a powerful racer in Sports Car Club of America events and dirt-track ovals. In 1962, he won a United States Auto Club championship and Driver of the Year honors from the New York Times. Around that time, he got married to Lissa Stouffer. They had two children together and lived in the small town of Gladwyne, northwest of Philadelphia. But, like Penske’s racing interests came to an end, so did his first marriage.

In 1965, Roger Penske decided to step down from racing, as he got the chance to work for a Chevrolet dealer in Philadelphia, George McKean. With a $50,000 check loan from his father, this decision marked the beginning of Penske’s massive empire. Simultaneously, his first marriage also ended. By 1973, Penske met with Kathryn Hulbert. In the description of an image dated August 20th of that year, Hulbert was working at a Colorado ski resort when Penske crossed paths with her. It may have been love at first sight, as they decided to get married that same year.

Very little information is known about Kathy Penske. Born on June 1, 1947, she is the daughter of Robinson and Cark A. Hulbert. She had three siblings – Joann, Steven, and David Hulbert. Mrs. Penske also has three children, Jay, Gregory, and Blair. She was at Roger Penske’s side throughout, from the time his motorsports legacy was a fledgling competitor to the present, when Penske boasts several championships and race victories.

Back in 2018, though, Kathy Penske reportedly wanted her husband to step back from his hectic work schedule. Handling Team Penske, IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and other multi-billion dollar auto enterprises is no mean feat for the then-81-year-old. Roger Penske said that Kathy was growing impatient about his retirement plans: “My wife asks me that every weekend.” However, the Penske that we know would never let go of his passion so soon. Currently, Penske is 88 years old and still thriving in the world of motorsports.

And with good reason, too. Both Mr. and Mrs. Penske enjoy the widespread respect of significant racing dignitaries – which is due to Roger Penske’s dedication.

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People look up to the Penske brand

An unbeatable work ethic determines it all. Roger Penske is currently the oldest NASCAR team owner, owning five Cup Series championships. The other octogenarians are Joe Gibbs (84) and Jack Roush (82). Over time, Penske has forged consistent relationships with his champions. Joey Logano has been around for a dozen seasons now, and he owns three Cup Series titles. The 2012 Cup Series champion, Brad Keselowski, was there for a decade. Along with consistency is the ability to evolve with times. The Next-Gen chassis, introduced in 2022, demands this more than ever. And Roger Penske’s drivers have dominated the Cup Series title ever since and have refused to let it go.

So 2024 title winner Joey Logano rightly emphasized the “Penske Perfection” that is present in his team. It all began with Roger Penske’s first dream back in 1965, and he continues to uphold it. Logano said, “You’ve got to think that it starts at the top and starts to work its way through. They’ve done a good job at hiring people. They say it all the time: it’s hard to get in, and it’s hard to leave. That’s what Team Penske is. We’re expected to win, and the culture is that, exactly, that we’re going to win, and we’re going to do it in a professional way. It doesn’t have to be said anymore. That’s our brand.”

Team Penske builds a culture like no other, and even the Captain shows great gratitude when his drivers decide to leave. When Brad Keselowski left to become co-owner/driver for RFK Racing in 2021, Penske was more than accommodating. “Overall, I couldn’t have had a better relationship. He wants to build a career and I think he’s landed in a great place. He’s a driver for a while that can help build a team,” said Roger Penske in 2021, emphasizing his willingness to let people grow. After all, Keselowski was the first superstar Penske had in the Cup Series and delivered him his first ever NASCAR championship.

Roger Penske’s empire evidently holds a revered spot in the racing community. And he proudly shares it with his wife, Kathy Penske.