Team Penske revs the White House, Team Trump roils the Dow

Posted by Talbot Payne on April 10, 2025

We interrupt this Trade War to bring you … Team Penske.

It was life in the fast lane at the White House Wednesday as Detroit racing icon Roger Penske arrived to celebrate wins by his NASCAR, IndyCar, and Porsche Penske superstar drivers with President Donald Trump.

The ceremony was complimented by a signature, impromptu Trump press conference in which the president held forth on the news of the day including his tariff pause that had revved the Dow Jones Industrial Average back over 40,000 points. Trump and Penske are old pals (Trump awarded Penske one of the nation’s highest honors in his first term), and the president frequently referenced The Captain’s business acumen during the presser.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP) AP

“Roger Penske is a great friend of mine,” said Trump. “I’ve known him a long time. He received a few years ago the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award in the country outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

Trump touted recent renovations to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which Penske owns. “I might have to get there this year,” mused Trump.

“You have an open invitation,” replied Penske.

President Donald Trump talks with Laurens Vanthoor and Felipe Nasr, left, during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP)

President Donald Trump talks with Laurens Vanthoor and Felipe Nasr, left, during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP) AP

Three of Team Penske’s race cars were on the lawn including 2024 NASCAR champion Joey Logano’s #22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse; the #7 Porsche 963 IMSA Sportscar prototype driven by Englishman Nick Tandy, Brazilian Felipe Nasr, and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium; and Nashville native Josef Newgarden’s #2 Chevrolet-powered IndyCar.

The latter, 240-mph chariot was squared up in front of the White House’s South Portico steps.

“These are the greatest champions in racing, and we’re honored to have you all. Josef Newgarden, two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 — consecutively, right?” Trump said, introducing Newgarden. “So what are you doing? What are you eating?”

President Donald Trump walks with Roger Penske, right, as he is followed by Nathan Howard Steve Phelps, Joey Logano, Felipe Nasr, and Laurens Vanthoor during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP)

President Donald Trump walks with Roger Penske, right, as he is followed by Nathan Howard Steve Phelps, Joey Logano, Felipe Nasr, and Laurens Vanthoor during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP) AP

“I drink a lot of milk,” laughed Newgarden, a reference to the Indy 500 tradition of drinking milk in the winner’s circle.

In addition to the White House lawn ceremony, Trump hosted the team in the Oval Office along with Penske. The event came amid a busy news day in which the president ordered a 90-day pause on his global tariff plans — with the exception of China.

President Donald Trump walks next to Team Penske's No. 2 single-seater during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP)

President Donald Trump walks next to Team Penske’s No. 2 single-seater during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP) AP

After the Team Penske ceremony, most of the media questions were focused on Trump and his tariff plan.

In addition to to Penske, who has won 20 Indy 500s, five NASCAR championships, and numerous sports car championships, the ceremony included Porsche Penske managing director Jonathan Diuguid, Penske NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney (2023 NASCAR champion), and other notables including NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps, Team Penske IndyCar president Tim Cindric, and IMSA CEO Ed Bennett.

President DOnald Trump hosts Team Penske at the White House including (the the president's immediate left): Roger Penske, Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden, and 2024 NASCAR champion Joey Logano.

President Donald Trump hosts Team Penske at the White House including (the the president’s immediate left): Roger Penske, Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden, and 2024 NASCAR champion Joey Logano. White House , White House

The champions event came ahead of this weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in California, where Newgarden will be competing. The Long Beach GP, like the Detroit Grand Prix May 30-June 1, also features the WeatherTech Sportscar series where the Porsche Penske team hopes to continue its undefeated record this season. The NASCAR circus will be at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.

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