Penske Indy 500 pace cars on display at Woodward Dream Cruise
The Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway isn't the only cool activity for gearheads in the state this week.
Today through Saturday, the 20th annual Woodward Dream Cruise takes place in suburban Detroit, with an estimated 1.5 million people and 40,000 vehicles taking part. With Roger Penske based in Detroit, it's no surprise that the man known as "The Captain" will have a strong presence in the Dream Cruise event.
Today, Team Penske NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney will participate in the Dream Cruise festivities, as will former Penske driver Rusty Wallace. From the IndyCar side, Penske will be well represented, too, with Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud in attendance. Past Team Penske Indianapolis 500 winners slated to appear at the Dream Cruise include four-time Indy 500 champ Rick Mears; Al Unser Sr., Al Unser Jr., Bobby Unser, Gil de Ferran and Sam Hornish Jr. Hornish, of course, now drives in the Cup Series for Richard Petty Motorsports.
The big news, though, is that for the first time in history, Team Penske will display its collection of Indianapolis 500 pace cars at the Dream Cruise.
"From the 1972 442 Hurst Oldsmobile convertible that commemorates the team's first Indy 500 win with legendary driver Mark Donohue to the stunning 2015 Corvette Z06 that paced the field for Team Penske's most recent win at the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' with Juan Pablo Montoya this past May, the pace cars will be together for the first time ever on Woodward," the team said in a news release. The vehicles will be displayed throughout the weekend at the Art Van Furniture store on Woodward Avenue, between 13- and 14-Mile Roads in Royal Oak, a Detroit suburb.
"Each one of these cars has a special place in Team Penske history, along with each of these men that have meant so much to our organization," said Roger Penske. "The Indianapolis 500 is such a unique event and it is an honor to be able to share these wonderful cars from our victories at Indianapolis, and the great stories that go along with them, with all of the fans at the Woodward Dream Cruise."
The 2015 Corvette Z06 Indianapolis pace car that was driven by Jeff Gordon.
