Borg Returns To IMS Museum With Franchitti's New Face
December 20, 2012 | By IMS Public Relations
The Borg-Warner Trophy is back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, with its newest face ready to greet visitors during the holiday season.
The base of the most coveted and famous trophy in worldwide motorsports recently was removed from its permanent home at the Museum so a silversmith could add Dario Franchitti’s face to the trophy, one of the spoils of his victory in the 2012 Indianapolis 500. It was the third time Franchitti’s face has been placed on the Borg-Warner Trophy, as he also won the race in 2007 and 2010.
"I'm very proud to have my likeness on the Borg-Warner trophy for a third time,” said Franchitti, who will see the new portrayal for the first time at a BorgWarner ceremony next month. “It's a tremendous honor and I'm looking forward to receiving my baby Borg in January in Detroit."
Franchitti’s face is the 99th added to the 76-year-old trophy, the annual prize for Indianapolis 500 winners that was commissioned in 1935 by BorgWarner and unveiled in 1936. Each of the 98 winning drivers of the race is featured, including victorious co-drivers L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer in 1924 and Floyd Davis and Mauri Rose in 1941. A 24-karat gold likeness of late Speedway Owner and President Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr. also is on the trophy.
“Winning the Indianapolis 500 is the most prestigious victory in all of motorsport and the Borg-Warner Trophy serves as a permanent reminder for future generations of race fans of the heroic accomplishments of these winners,” said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. “Clearly, Dario Franchitti understands how to win at Indianapolis and adding his face to the trophy for the third time places him in very good company as one of the most successful drivers in the 500’s long history.”
Including Franchitti, only ten drivers appear three or more times on the trophy – A.J. Foyt (1961, ’64, ’67 & ’77), Al Unser Sr. (1970, ’71, ’78, & ’87), Rick Mears (1979, ’84, ’88, & ’91), Louis Meyer (1928, ’33, & ’36), Wilbur Shaw (1937, ’39, & ’40), Mauri Rose (1941, ’47, & ’48), Bobby Unser (1968, ’75, & ’81), Johnny Rutherford (1974, ’76, & ’80) and Helio Castroneves (2001, ’02, & ’09).
The IMS Hall of Fame Museum is one of the world’s foremost showplaces dedicated to auto racing and automobiles. The Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. during the holiday season, closed only on Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youths 6 to 15 years old, with children under 6 free.
Approximately 75 cars are on display at all times, including many Indianapolis 500 winners. Other items on display include an exhibit dedicated to the many cars driven or owned by 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones, Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America Sonic 1 land speed record vehicle, historic automobiles, numerous racing trophies and other motorsports and IMS artifacts and memorabilia.
The museum is also home to two gift and memorabilia shops featuring items related to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500, IZOD INDYCAR Series, Crown Royal presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard, and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event.
2013 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 97th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26, 2013.
Fans can buy tickets any time at www.imstix.com, by calling (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and West 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
Information on parking and camping at IMS events is available at www.imstix.com.