Roger Penske's big year worthy of commercial flashback to 1968

It’s been a big year for Roger Penske, with 2016 marking the 50th anniversary of his far-flung and hugely successful racing empire.

Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski won seven NASCAR Premier Series races this season and the Verizon IndyCar championship was captured by Penske driver Simon Pagenaud.

Recently Penske himself was one of 17 individuals presented with the Horatio Alger Award, an annual honor “bestowed upon admirable leaders who have succeeded despite facing adversity, and who are committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their local communities.”

Back before becoming a team owner and a titan of industry, Penske was a darn good race driver himself. So good, in fact, that Sunoco chose him for a television commercial in 1968.

Check out “The Captain” cruising in style in a Pontiac Firebird convertible. Those were the days.