Roger Penske, award-winning racecar driver and team owner and renowned automotive businessman, will be this year’s recipient of the prestigious Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his dedication to the automobile world at the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance gala on February 23, 2008.

It was a unanimous decision to present Roger Penske with this year’s Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his relentless enthusiasm to auto racing and his automotive business endeavors with this well-deserved award during the 2008 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance.

Founder of the Penske Corporation, a company with varied automotive businesses, Roger Penske is an auto racing legend. Achieving most of his success as a racecar driver in the early 1960s, Penske retired in 1964 after multiple wins only to further his success by creating one of the most successful race car driving teams in history, Penske Racing. In addition, he also heads renowned dealership companies Penske Automotive Group formerly United Auto Group. Penske’s racing facilities are designed not only for function, but a fan attraction as well. His 105-acre facility in Mooresville, N.C. includes a gift shop and a 330-foot “fan walk,” where guests can observe the various teams preparing their car for competition.

Penske, a Motorsports Hall-of-Famer, currently maintains IndyCar, TransAm and NASCAR teams and is listed on the Forbes list of America’s wealthiest people. His lifelong appreciation of automobiles will be honored during this year’s Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance gala, which will also feature a live performance by celebrated comedian, Bill Cosby. Further adding to his list of accomplishments, Penske was awarded by Mercedes all distribution rights for the smart car in the United States and Puerto Rico. smart car went on sale nationally January 14, 2008. For 10 years, smart vehicles have been found on the streets of 36 countries including England, France, Italy, Spain and Canada, are known for their high gas mileage, compactness, safety and are fun to drive. A smart car, donated by South Florida smart car dealer Rick Case, will be auctioned off during the gala at the Concours d’Elegance.

The Concours d’Elegance festivities begin Friday, February 22nd with the DuPont Registry Live! welcome reception at Boca Raton Airport Hangar, featuring exotic cars and corporate jets from 6pm-8pm. Saturday, February 23rd will begin with a Celebrity Golf Tournament on the Private Course at the Boca Raton Resort & Club at 8am. The day will conclude with the black-tie optional gala dinner featuring a live performance by Bill Cosby at 9pm. The Concours d’ Elegance Automobile and Motorcycle exhibition begins Sunday, February 24th at 10am. Car enthusiasts from around the world will get to experience an automobile exposition featuring cars and motorcycles from a wide range of time periods. Judges will select the top automobiles based on a preset criterion. The award ceremony will commence at 3pm. All events are open to the public with tickets sold separately. Tickets can be purchased for the Friday Welcome party for $100 per person; the Saturday gala dinner for $500 per person and up; and the Sunday Concours exhibit for $50 per person. For more information or to purchase your ticket, please call 954-537-1010.