Indy 500 - Josef Newgarden inducted into the Borg-Warner Trophy

The Borg-Warner Trophy is enriched with a 110th face in the person of Josef Newgarden, the winner of the 500 Indianapolis 2023. The opportunity to learn more about this American tradition.

Published on 26/12/2023 à 17:48

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Indy 500 – Josef Newgarden inducted into the Borg-Warner Trophy

Josef Newgarden is satisfied with finding a place on the trophy base... Photo IndyCar Media

For Christmas, Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) had a special gift: his face affixed to the imposing Borg-Warner Trophy representing the winners of the Indianapolis 500. The American pilot was invited to a ceremony where he could admire his silver face:

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“Having my face added to the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of the most exciting aspects of this victory”, explains Josef Newgarden, who won theIndy 500 thanks to an overtake in the final lap on Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing). I already had a lot of respect for the trophy, but learning the process and how detailed it is, it's amazing what (the sculptor) Will Behrends does it every year.

“To finally see the trophy is very special. I thought I knew what it would feel like to win the Indianapolis 500, but today I feel a deeper appreciation than you can imagine. »

Will Behrends begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to obtain a baseline for the sculpture. Josef Newgarden then went to Behrends' studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for a session during which the artist constructed a life-size clay model of the pilot's face.

Last night was cool. What an honor to be a part of the Indy500 history books forever with your face on the @BorgTrophy. It takes a team, and they delivered. I can't wait to race @IMS again next May. pic.twitter.com/WMTAqG6WKt

— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) December 16, 2023

This life-size clay version serves as a reference for Will Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created from a mixture of clay and oil. The small clay model is made into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be made into silver. Will Behrends finishes his work by polishing and buffing the sculpture before gluing it to the trophy.

To date, the trophy has 110 faces spread over a height of 1,63 m and remains the property of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Josef Newgarden will receive a miniature replica at the start of 2024 with only his face stuck on the trophy, the “Baby Borg”.