On Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, Joey Logano and Executive Vice President, Penske Corporation; Vice Chairman, Team Penske Walter Czarnecki unveiled the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Darlington throwback scheme that‘s inspired by Mark Donohue‘s AMC Matador.
The Mataror notched Team Penske‘s first NASCAR win 50 years ago and pays homage to NASCAR‘s history during the sport‘s diamond anniversary in 2023.
Making its NASCAR debut in 1972, the Matador was raced by Donohue, Donnie Allison and Dave Marcis.
Donohue recorded Team Penske‘s first NASCAR win over 50 years ago on January 21, 1973 at Riverside International Raceway driving the No. 16 AMC Matador:
It was a 500-mile race on a 2+ mile road courseDonohue led 138 of the race‘s 191 lapsThe race was the Winston Western 500This win marked Donohue‘s 52nd victory with Team PenskeThe next NASCAR win for Team Penske came from Bobby Allison in November 1974 at Ontario Motor Speedway
Donohue achieved success in NASCAR, INDYCAR, Sports Car and F1 competition:
He joined Team Penske in 1966 and was with the team until 1975He made 180 starts for Team Penske across various seriesHe drove Team Penske‘s first Indianapolis 500 entry (1969)He produced Team Penske‘s first Indianapolis 500 victory (1972)He recorded Team Penske‘s first ever INDYCAR win in Pocono (1971)He scored Team Penske‘s first Championship title in USRRC (1967)He recorded 59 wins while at Team Penske, second to Brad Keselowski who collected 67 wins during his time with the teamHis first win with Team Penske was in USRRC at Pacific Raceway in Kent, Washington (1966)He notched 51 pole positions during his time at Team PenskeHe was a part of Team Penske‘s Formula One debut in the Canadian Grand Prix (1971)
Additional Interesting Fact:
Roger Penske‘s first NASCAR win as a driver also came at Riverside International Raceway (1963)
— Team Penske —