(WXYZ) — President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was presenting Roger Penske with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump made the announcement.
"Roger Penske is a great gentleman who has won 18 Indianapolis 500s, he has won just one Daytona," Trump said. "He's very thrilled to be getting it."
According to Trump, the White House is expected to put something out soon. Penske has two Daytona 500 wins, one with Ryan Newman in 2008 and the other with Joey Logano in 2015.
Penske, known as "The Captain," has been racing in the United States since 1958.
He was integral in bringing back the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix to Belle Isle and has worked to make improvements to the island throughout the years.
Penske has been at The White House recently, celebrating the Indianapolis 500 win from Simon Pagenaud and Joey Logano's NASCAR championship.
"He's very deserving, he's a great gentleman," Trump added. "I've known him a long time and a very brilliant guy."
Ce fut un honneur d’être invité à la Maison Blanche après notre succès aux 500 miles d’Indianapolis et de représenter la France 🇫🇷 dans la plus grande course du monde. #indy500 #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/yaTtEmIVtr
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 10, 2019
Roger Penske is getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Donald Trump announced.
📷: @atrupar pic.twitter.com/sgeivROAoX
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 20, 2019
