Gil de Ferran & Tim Lombardi Join Elite Ranks of Team Penske Hall of Fame
Gil de Ferran, a two-time IndyCar Series champion and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner, and longtime team member Tim Lombardi were inducted into the Team Penske Hall of Fame during the organization's annual holiday party on December 19th.
Red and white NTT IndyCar
De Ferran, who passed away in 2023 at age 56, was instrumental in Team Penske's early 2000s success. During his four-year tenure, he secured the CART Series championships in 2000 and 2001, recorded nine wins and 14 pole positions. His closed-course speed record of 241.428 mph at Auto Club Speedway, set in 2000, still stands today.
Tim Lombardi joined Team Penske in 1976, starting as a transportation driver for the IROC series before becoming team coordinator for the INDYCAR operation. His four-decade career included managing team logistics, uniforms, marketing, and transportation until his retirement in 2017.
Gil de Ferran and Tim Lombardi
Angela de Ferran accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, noting that his years at Team Penske represented both his most successful and happiest times in racing. Lombardi expressed gratitude to Team Penske employees for the recognition, reflecting on the organization's unique culture and his varied responsibilities throughout his career.
The Team Penske Hall of Fame, established during the team's 50th anniversary in 2016, recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted the organization's history. De Ferran and Lombardi join 15 previous inductees, including Roger Penske, Mark Donohue, Rick Mears, and Helio Castroneves. Team members vote on inductees annually, with honorees celebrated at the Mooresville, N.C. facility.
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