"No matter what you do, it turns to gold" - When Donald Trump honored Roger Penske for his motorsports empire

United States President-elect Donald Trump was full of praise of Roger Penske, a big name in NASCAR. Trump, in one of his interviews back in 2019, heavily praised the owner of Team Penske, the most successful NASCAR team in recent times.

Trump's involvement with renowned NASCAR figures is not new, as he was seen with big names such as Richard Childress, Roger Penske, and Danica Patrick during his election campaign.

Besides attending rallies and standing together to address the crowd, Trump and Penske also share business ideas. Interestingly, the latter is also one of the biggest supporters of the former and backed Trump in this year's election.

In 2019, Penske won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and it was Trump who handed the former the medal. As the former US President handed him the honor, he knew the caliber Penske had within him.

"You’re a very unique person and truly a great champion and truly a winner," Trump told Penske. "No matter what you do, it turns to gold. You are a legend in the speedway and you’re a legend in business, and your name is revered everywhere the checkered flag flies and beyond that."

Donald Trump comfortably won the 2024 United States Presidential election over the Democratic Party's Kamala Harris.

Team Penske, Roger Penske also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar, and is the founder-chairman of Penske Enterprises.

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How has Roger Penske's team become the most successful NASCAR team recently?

Roger Penske's outfit Team Penske has become the most successful NASCAR Cup Series team in recent years. After Joey Logano claimed the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix, the Mooresville-based team clinched its third consecutive Cup Series owners' title.

Logano also picked up the 2022 championship, and it was the start of three-year dominance for Team Penske. Logano's teammate, Ryan Blaney, defended Penske's title by winning it in 2023 in the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) and team owner Roger Penske talk during qualifying for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

The two Team Penske drivers were at it again this year at the NASCAR Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway. In the end, Logano trumped his teammate, Blaney, to help Team Penske secure its third straight title and his third Cup Series career championship.

Team Penske will field three drivers again in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series — Joey Logano in the #22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Ryan Blaney in the #12, and Austin Cindric in the #2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.