Indy Winner Castroneves Makes Room For Third 'Baby Borg' Trophy
January 14, 2010 | By Dave Lewandowski
Helio Castroneves rearranged the sterling silver trophies and mirrored globe multiple times on a shelf in the foyer of his Coral Gables, Fla., home in anticipation of a new "baby" joining the lineup.
On Jan. 13, the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion accepted his third BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy - affectionately known as the "Baby Borg" - from BorgWarner chairman and CEO Tim Manganello during a ceremony as part of the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit. It'll nestle on the shelf over the weekend.
"They're like on a pedestal," Castroneves said of the 14-inch replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy that rests on a beveled black marble base inscribed with the winner's name and year of victory. "I have not only the 'Baby Borgs' but also the 'Dancing With The Stars' trophy. You gotta have that. It was a lot of hard work. It's a different sport but it's still a champion.
"I'll put them together and look at them every day. It's an unbelievable accomplishment."
Castroneves, who turns 35 on May 10, will attempt to join four-time Indy 500 winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears on May 30. Opening Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is May 15, with Pole Day scheduled for May 22.
"My car number is three so getting the third Baby Borg it is a perfect fit," said Castroneves, who also won "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" in 2001 and '02. "But I don't want to stop right there."
Team owner Roger Penske and Penske Racing president Tim Cindric (also Castroneves' race strategist) received the BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy. Penske Racing team has recorded 15 Indianapolis 500 victories.
"Both Helio and Penske Racing are part of the select few champions who can showcase multiple Baby Borgs at home," Manganello said. "Winning the Indianapolis 500 is a tremendous feat. Winning repeat victories is exceptional achievement."
BorgWarner established the driver's trophy in 1988 to provide the driver with a personal keepsake of their Indianapolis 500 victory. In 1998, the company established the BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy as a companion. It also is a replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy but has a band of art-deco racing cars accentuated in gold to symbolize the importance of teamwork in the automotive business.
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