IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden and racing magnate Roger Penske were awarded the prestigious "Baby Borg" trophies on Tuesday night, honoring their victory at last year's Indy 500. The ceremony, held at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
As Newgarden cradled his first Baby Borg, he expressed his reverence for the iconic event, stating, “To be at the Indy 500 and win the race For Roger is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” according to The Detroit News. It's a career milestone for Newgarden, who zoomed past defending champ Marcus Ericsson in a heart-stopping, last-lap pass that secured his place in the history books with a fourth-closest finish in the storied race's history.
Meanwhile, Penske added another shiny Baby Borg to his vast collection. The chairman of Penske Corporation had his eyes set on the future, as he declared, “Josef, I know how badly you wanted to win this. Indianapolis is not an easy place to commit to.” during the celebratory event, The Detroit News captured. The win was particularly sweet for Penske since it was his first Indy 500 victory following his acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2019.
Newgarden's sterling silver replica trophy, featuring his dashing face, was crafted by sculptor William Behrends, who has been curating winners' faces for decades. The "Baby Borgs" are a miniature homage to the massive, sterling silver Borg-Warner Trophy that features every winner since its debut at the Indianapolis Speedway in 1936. "I saw a strong-minded Josef,” said BorgWarner CEO Fred Lissalde at the presentation.
Newgarden knows Penske is already racing toward his next goal. "He's already on to the next one, which I totally love," Newgarden told The Associated Press. Beyond the glory of the Indianapolis 500, the Tennessee-native racer was named "Sportsperson of the Year" by The Tennessean, his hometown's newspaper, capping off an eventful and successful racing season. The next racing season ready to start on March 10 in St. Petersburg, Florida, fans and competitors alike will see if Newgarden can outpace his rivals once again, and perhaps get that second consecutive win at Indy and a stout $440,000 bonus from the BorgWarner Rollover Jackpot.
