Following the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, BorgWarner President and CEO James Verrier presented Tony Kanaan with the Borg-Warner Trophy in Victory Lane. Tony Kanaan’s sterling silver image will be the 100th added to the prestigious and historic trophy, joining every winner of the "Greatest Race in History."
"The Borg-Warner Trophy symbolizes a long tradition of achievement, competitive performance and technology leadership at the Indianapolis 500. That same spirit propels BorgWarner to create the innovative technologies drivers around the world enjoy today," said Verrier. "After logging 212,000 miles without incident in our first year as the exclusive supplier in the IZOD IndyCar Series, BorgWarner’s EFR turbochargers are again boosting every car in the field. We are proud to be a vital part of the traditions and future of the Indianapolis 500."
BorgWarner says its EFR ("Engineered For Racing") turbochargers offer an unprecedented combination of advanced technologies designed to boost the performance of downsized engines while improving fuel economy. EFR turbochargers built specifically for the IZOD IndyCar Series feature low-weight Gamma-Ti turbine wheels and shaft assemblies for quick boost response. Patent-pending ceramic ball bearings increase thrust capacity and durability while improving turbine efficiency at low expansion ratios. In addition, the investment cast stainless steel turbine housing increases efficiency, improves durability and resists corrosion. BorgWarner’s EFR turbochargers established a reputation for powerful performance, durability and dependability at numerous world-class endurance races last year, including the Indianapolis 500, Petit Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
About the Borg-Warner Trophy
The Borg-Warner Trophy features the sterling silver image of every Indianapolis 500 winner dating back to Ray Harroun in 1911. In 1924 and 1941, two drivers shared the victory, one for starting the race and the other for finishing it. In tribute to his rejuvenation of the track and Indianapolis 500 following World War II, a 24-karat gold portrait of late Speedway Owner and President Anton "Tony" Hulman, Jr., was added in 1988. Tony Kanaan’s image will be the 100th to be added to the Borg-Warner Trophy, which will not be filled to capacity until 2034.
Made of 110 pounds of sterling silver and standing 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall, the trophy originally cost $10,000 and is currently valued at $3.5 million. The Borg-Warner Trophy stays on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. To give the winner and team owners a personal keepsake of their victory, BorgWarner established the BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy (also known as the "Baby Borg") in 1988 and the BorgWarner Team Owner’s Trophy in 1998. Both are sterling silver replicas of the Borg-Warner Trophy.