BorgWarner presented Josef Newgarden with his “Baby Borg,” officially named the BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy, Jan. 23 during an awards ceremony at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
The miniature replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy celebrates Newgarden’s impressive 2023 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory, where he made history as one of only three drivers to make a last-lap pass to win the world-renowned race.
“From my time as a young fan attending the Indianapolis 500 with my family, I always dreamed of what it would mean to win the biggest race in the world,” Nashville-area native Newgarden said. “From drinking the milk and seeing my face on the Borg-Warner Trophy to now accepting my Baby Borg alongside Roger Penske, it has all been better than I ever imagined.
“To be the 14th different Team Penske driver to win the Indianapolis 500 and accept a Baby Borg is the highlight of my career, and it makes me hungry to experience it all over again.”
The replica trophy is sterling silver with a wood base, measuring 20 inches tall and weighing 5 pounds. Just like the Borg-Warner Trophy, the miniature version features a hand-sculpted, three-dimensional sterling silver image of Newgarden’s likeness, which was crafted by sculptor William Behrends. The trophy also features Newgarden’s name, along with Team Penske, his victory year and average speed.
Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation, was also on site at the ceremony to receive his Championship Team Owner’s Trophy, an award that represents the importance of teamwork and the role the team plays in the landmark victory. Penske is the most successful Indianapolis 500 owner in history, boasting 19 wins and with at least one win in each decade since Mark Donohue’s victory in 1972.
“It takes a total team effort to win the Indianapolis 500 and it is my honor to receive our team’s 19th Baby Borg trophy on behalf of all the hard-working men and women at Team Penske,” Penske said. “The history of the Borg-Warner Trophy and the presentation of the Baby Borgs is one of the traditions that makes winning the Indianapolis 500 such a special accomplishment. We appreciate all that BorgWarner does to honor the Indianapolis 500 champions every year.”
Both the historic Borg-Warner Trophy and the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Dallara/Chevrolet NTT INDYCAR SERIES car that Newgarden drove to victory in the 2023 Indy 500 will be on display at The Henry Ford Museum’s Driven to Win: Racing in America exhibit through Friday, Feb. 2.
“Awarding the Baby Borg to each year’s Indianapolis 500 winner is a tradition we started in 1988 and one we look forward to following every racing season,” said Frédéric Lissalde, president and chief executive officer, BorgWarner. “This keepsake commemorates Josef’s skilled driving, tenacity, passion for the sport and incredible finish at the 2023 race and was something we were honored to present to him.”
Newgarden will try to become the first driver to record a repeat Indianapolis 500 victory since Helio Castroneves achieved the feat for Team Penske in 2001-02. The 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Tickets are on sale at IMS.com.