Latest news with #BorgWarner
Indianapolis Star
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
How much money did Alex Palou win in the Indy 500? Race earnings, total purse
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy 500 broke its purse record for the fourth year in a row, according to a release from IndyCar. Winner Alex Palou earned $3.8 million from a purse of $20,283,000. Last year's purse was $18,456,000 with Josef Newgarden winning $4.3 million, including a $440,000 bonus from BorgWarner for the back-to-back wins. The 2023 purse was $17,021,500 with Newgarden earning $3.7 million. The 2022 purse was $16,000,200 with $3.1 million going to Marcus Ericsson. "The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world and winning this race makes history in more ways than one," IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said in a statement. "The month of May featured a grandstand sellout crowd and intense on-track action." The purse comes from IMS and IndyCar awards, plus other designated and special awards, according to the release. Total purse: $20,283,000 (record; old record $18.456 million in 2024)
Fox News
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox News
'Winners Drink Milk': Inside the iconic dairy celebration at the Indy 500
Editor's note: Alex Palou has won his first-ever Indianapolis 500, which means he'll have a glass of milk waiting for him at the finish line. But what kind of milk will it be? This story was originally published on May 21. Bruce MartinSpecial to INDIANAPOLIS — Two of the greatest traditions of the Indianapolis 500 began in the same year when Louis Meyer became the first three-time winner of the Memorial Day Classic at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the first year for the Borg-Warner Trophy, the incredibly impressive silver trophy that has become one of the most iconic trophies in the world. Although the winner doesn't get to keep the permanent Borg-Warner Trophy, a sterling silver bas-relief likeness of the winner's face is attached to the trophy along with the other winning drivers in the history of the Indy 500. The second tradition, however, began organically — literally. When Meyer pulled into Victory Lane after 200 grueling laps that make up the 500 miles in the race, he was thirsty. He asked for a cold bottle of buttermilk, and he drank as photographers snapped photos of the celebration. The following day, many newspapers around the United States featured the photo of the winning driver of the Indianapolis 500 drinking from a bottle of milk. It was the birth of a legend. But first, a backstory few people might know. The actual buttermilk back in the 1930s, was actually different than today's strong-tasting, acidic buttermilk that is used in baking and brining. It would be considered "sweet cream" by today's dairy standards. Brooke Williams, the Director of Communications for the American Dairy Association of Indiana, knows the real story of what happened on May 30, 1936. "The buttermilk that Louis Meyer drank was back when they churned butter and took the cream off the top of the butter," Williams told me. "That was the buttermilk that Louis Meyer wanted. That sweet, rich, buttermilk. "Today's buttermilk is made for baking, and it should probably stay that way." Ed Carpenter actually wants buttermilk if he wins the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to keep Meyer's buttermilk tradition. "When Ed Carpenter says, 'I want buttermilk again,' we say, 'Let's see you drink actual buttermilk and maybe you'll want whole milk,'" Williams said. Whole milk is the preferred choice for the winning drivers because it looks much better in photos than skim, which has the fat removed and is thinner. Two percent is also an option. "Whole milk is trending," Williams said. "Twenty-nine of the 33 drivers chose whole milk. But we have had a winner with skim milk." If three-time INDYCAR champion Alex Palou wins the Indy 500, his choice in milk is easy. "Whole milk," Palou told me. "Whole milk always. The Indy 500 is about traditions and I do not think you can go with half-measures at the Indy 500. "Whole milk it is. If there were double whole milk, I would just get that. But cream would be too much." So far, no driver who chose chocolate milk has won the Indianapolis 500. But there was the time in 2021 when four-time Indianapolis 500-winning driver Helio Castroneves put powdered strawberry in his bottle of milk, creating a pinkish hue that befuddled the dairy representatives in Victory Lane. "When Helio won a few years back, he drank a sip of the white milk, then somebody handed him a bag of powdered strawberry like a Nesquik, and he added it to the milk bottle and our hearts dropped wondering what was going on as we watched him drink it. "His car was pink that year and he wanted strawberry milk." But there was no bigger controversy than Emerson Fittipaldi's victory celebration after he won the 1993 Indianapolis 500. It was Fittipaldi's second Indy 500 win and the two-time Formula One champion and two-time INDYCAR champion from Brazil pushed away the bottle of milk and drank a bottle of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Fittipaldi owned a massive orange grove in Brazil and was attempting to go off-script and promote the Brazilian orange juice industry. Indy 500 officials quickly intervened and told Fittipaldi if he didn't drink the milk in victory lane, his winner's check would be much "lighter." Fittipaldi relented and drank the milk, but by then the television cameras had already switched to another postrace interview. The "Orange-gate" controversy lives to this day. "I remember when I was back in elementary school when that happened and I had never even gone to the Indy 500 and I knew about it then," Williams said. "It is definitely something we remember. "When his grandson (Pietro) was a rookie a few years back, he made sure to tell me he would drink the milk if he won. "I know Emerson after the fact knew he should have drank the milk first." There is one form of milk that a driver cannot have, and it's raw milk that gained attention from the organic crowd. "We tell them every year raw milk is illegal in Indiana, so that takes care of that," Williams said. "We are accommodating several drivers this year who are lactose intolerant, so we will have a lactose-free option for those drivers. "Otherwise, it's whole milk, 2 percent and skim." Although Meyer was the first to drink milk in Victory Lane after the Indianapolis 500, it didn't become an annual tradition until 1956. The owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the time was Tony Hulman, and he made the Bottle of Milk a permanent part of the Victory Lane celebration. Winning driver Pat Flaherty savored the first "official" swig of milk after his 1956 victory. In 1975, the American Dairy Association of Indiana established a new award for the first-time drivers — the Fastest Rookie Award. On Tuesday, pole winner Robert Shwartzman of Prema Racing was honored at a luncheon along with Indiana Dairy Farmers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Shwartzman is both the fastest rookie in the race and the fastest qualifier in the race. The last time that happened was Teo Fabi in 1983. The rookies in this year's race all took turns milking a cow named "Indy" — a popular dairy cow that also appears at the Indiana State Fair every August. Dairy Farmers became part of the tradition in 2005 when a rookie and veteran dairy farmer handed the bottle of milk to winning driver Sam Hornish, Jr. In 2006, the pre-race preference poll began as drivers could choose between whole, 2 percent or skim milk. For the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016, the 350,000 fans in attendance were given bottles of milk to drink in synch with race winner Alexander Rossi, who was also that year's Fastest Rookie Award winner. "Since 1936, milk has been a staple at the Indianapolis 500 and is now a tradition the Indiana Dairy Farmers hold near and dear to their heart," Williams said. "Every year that bottle of milk represents almost 700 dairy farmers in the state of Indiana, but also a worldwide audience. "A lot of milk fans take on that 'Winner's Drink Milk' mentality and we are very happy Louis Meyer started it in 1936." The American Dairy Association of Indiana gives each of the 33 drivers in the Indianapolis 500 starting lineup their choice of whole milk, skim milk or 2 percent milk if they win the race. That means there are three different bottles awaiting the winner, along with more bottles for the winning team owner. At one time, chocolate milk, was an option. The "Bottle of Milk" is deeply rooted in the history of the Indianapolis 500. It's as much a tradition of the race as the singing of "Back Home Again, in Indiana." "In 1936, Louis Meyer drank a bottle of buttermilk in Victory Lane and ever since then, it has become a symbol of victory and a tradition here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said. "With more than 115 years of history (at the Speedway), our traditions are something that united new and old fans alike. "At Indy, 'Winners Drink Milk.'" Eighty-nine years after Meyer drank buttermilk after winning the Indianapolis 500, it was the birth of a movement for the dairy industry. "In 1936, to have Louis Meyer be an advocate for dairy that long ago and for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to see what that meant at that time and be carried out for so many years and the appreciation that the milk tradition means for the Indianapolis 500 and for the drivers, it's something our dairy farmers are proud of to make that happen," Williams said. A cold bottle of milk remains one of the "coolest" prizes that goes to the winner of any sporting event on Earth. Bruce Martin is a veteran motorsports writer and contributor to Follow him on X at @BruceMartin_500. BEST OF FOX SPORTS' INDY 500 COVERAGE:
Fox News
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox News
What happens when the ‘iconic' Indy 500 Borg-Warner Trophy runs out of room?
Bruce MartinSpecial to INDIANAPOLIS — When the Borg-Warner Trophy appeared for the first time in Victory Lane after the 1936 Indianapolis 500, it had plenty of room on the original trophy to display the faces of the winning drivers, beginning with Ray Harroun in 1911. But it ran out of room on the original trophy after Bobby Rahal won the Indianapolis 500 in 1986. The solution was to mount the 80-pound, 4-foot-tall trophy on an additional base, beginning with the 1987 Indianapolis 500. Rahal was the last driver's face on the original trophy and Al Unser the first on the base after he won his fourth Indy 500 in 1987. Today, the Borg-Warner Trophy is 110-pounds and 5-foot-four-inches-and-three-quarters tall. As each Indianapolis 500 has passed and more winners have been added to the base of the trophy, it will once again run out of space in 2034. BorgWarner's creative team is working on a solution when the base fills up with the addition of a second base that will feature the winner of the 2035 Indianapolis 500 as its first face. "We're still throwing that around — what the second base is going to look like. But the last time we did this, we added on a complete additional base, which makes the trophy stand even taller, allowing for many more faces to come," BorgWarner CEO Joseph Fadool said Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Between now and then, we'll figure out the right approach to do it or maybe something a little bit different. "The unique thing over time, the trophy actually grows in size and stature and importance, so I think it's just fitting for the importance of Indy." The Borg-Warner Trophy is really a measurement of time and the history of the Indianapolis 500. Each face represents a different tale, a different era and a glimpse back in time. "What a great way to put that," Fadool said. "As we talked about, the trophy is growing in stature, growing physically, becoming even more important over time and just represents excellence and teamwork, which is all that takes to win this race. "We're just proud to be a part of it, and I know all of our BorgWarner employees just love to be a part of this INDYCAR Series, especially here at the Indianapolis 500." It all began back in 1935. Before the Borg-Warner Trophy, there was the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy. It was initially awarded to the leader of the race at the 400-mile mark. It was retired when owner Harry Hartz won it three times. The Borg-Warner Trophy was commissioned in 1935 and officially became the annual prize for Indianapolis 500 victors in 1936. The Art Deco design of the Borg-Warner Trophy includes wings on the side that symbolize the speed of flight. But the most unique feature was the sculpted faces representing each of the 24 drivers who had already won the race when the trophy debuted in 1936. The driver that won it that day was Louie Meyer, the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. As the new Borg-Warner Trophy was placed on the back of his winning race car, Meyer asked for a cold bottle of buttermilk, becoming the first driver to have milk as his victory celebration after winning the Indianapolis 500. Two great traditions were created on the same day in 1936. Since then, every race winner has had his face added to this iconic trophy, which has become the symbol for reaching the pinnacle of performance. Winners do not get to take the Borg-Warner Trophy home. It stays on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Winning drivers and team owners receive a sterling silver replica of the trophy which is fondly referred to as the Baby Borg. After the winner's sterling silver image is attached to the main trophy, a replica image is attached to the Baby Borg's lacquered wood base. William Behrends has been sculpting the faces of the Indy 500 winners since 1990. The 2024 winner, Josef Newgarden, was the 35th face he has sculpted for the trophy. Behrends, who began sculpting when he was 26 years old, has been commissioned to immortalize a wide variety of subjects. Those subjects include Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, automotive pioneer Henry Ford II, golf legend Bobby Jones, and Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, who was Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835. Behrends grew up in Wisconsin and has always had a special place in his heart for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." "Growing up in the Midwest, I was always aware of the Indianapolis 500," Behrends said. "The first race I really noticed was 1963 when Parnelli (Jones) won. I was really fascinated by him and that win stuck in my memory. "Each year I look forward to working with the Indy 500 winner to capture his emotions and spirit so they can be part of the Borg-Warner Trophy for years and years to come." Then, there is the tale of Jack Mackenzie, who was once the caretaker of the Borg-Warner Trophy. Mackenzie was a student at Butler University in Indianapolis when he became the caretaker of the trophy in 1953. He earned $75 for his first year in that role and was responsible for transporting the trophy to various events throughout the month of May. Mackenzie stored the 80-pound sterling silver trophy in his dorm room at his fraternity house. He hauled it around town in the backseat of his car, often covering it with an army blanket for added security. Despite his best efforts, the trophy once vanished from his room in the fraternity house. Mackenzie said when he returned home from a date, the Borg-Warner Trophy was missing. He eventually found it in the basement of his fraternity house where it was being used as an impromptu drinking vessel. Mackenzie relinquished his trophy duties following the 1983 Indianapolis 500 saying at the time, "I've had my fun, I've enjoyed going to all the different activities associated with the speedway. It's time to let somebody else have some fun." The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has maintained control of the Borg-Warner Trophy ever since. "It's something all the drivers look forward to having their face on if they can win the Indianapolis 500," Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR President Doug Boles said. Bruce Martin is a veteran motorsports writer and contributor to Follow him on X at @BruceMartin_500. BEST OF FOX SPORTS' INDY 500 COVERAGE:
Fox Sports
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
What happens when the ‘iconic' Indy 500 Borg-Warner Trophy runs out of room?
Bruce Martin Special to INDIANAPOLIS — When the Borg-Warner Trophy appeared for the first time in Victory Lane after the 1936 Indianapolis 500, it had plenty of room on the original trophy to display the faces of the winning drivers, beginning with Ray Harroun in 1911. But it ran out of room on the original trophy after Bobby Rahal won the Indianapolis 500 in 1986. The solution was to mount the 80-pound, 4-foot-tall trophy on an additional base, beginning with the 1987 Indianapolis 500. Rahal was the last driver's face on the original trophy and Al Unser the first on the base after he won his fourth Indy 500 in 1987. Today, the Borg-Warner Trophy is 110-pounds and 5-foot-four-inches-and-three-quarters tall. As each Indianapolis 500 has passed and more winners have been added to the base of the trophy, it will once again run out of space in 2034. BorgWarner's creative team is working on a solution when the base fills up with the addition of a second base that will feature the winner of the 2035 Indianapolis 500 as its first face. "We're still throwing that around — what the second base is going to look like. But the last time we did this, we added on a complete additional base, which makes the trophy stand even taller, allowing for many more faces to come," BorgWarner CEO Joseph Fadool said Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Between now and then, we'll figure out the right approach to do it or maybe something a little bit different. "The unique thing over time, the trophy actually grows in size and stature and importance, so I think it's just fitting for the importance of Indy." The Borg-Warner Trophy is really a measurement of time and the history of the Indianapolis 500. Each face represents a different tale, a different era and a glimpse back in time. "What a great way to put that," Fadool said. "As we talked about, the trophy is growing in stature, growing physically, becoming even more important over time and just represents excellence and teamwork, which is all that takes to win this race. "We're just proud to be a part of it, and I know all of our BorgWarner employees just love to be a part of this INDYCAR Series, especially here at the Indianapolis 500." It all began back in 1935. Before the Borg-Warner Trophy, there was the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy. It was initially awarded to the leader of the race at the 400-mile mark. It was retired when owner Harry Hartz won it three times. The Borg-Warner Trophy was commissioned in 1935 and officially became the annual prize for Indianapolis 500 victors in 1936. The Art Deco design of the Borg-Warner Trophy includes wings on the side that symbolize the speed of flight. But the most unique feature was the sculpted faces representing each of the 24 drivers who had already won the race when the trophy debuted in 1936. The driver that won it that day was Louie Meyer, the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. As the new Borg-Warner Trophy was placed on the back of his winning race car, Meyer asked for a cold bottle of buttermilk, becoming the first driver to have milk as his victory celebration after winning the Indianapolis 500. Two great traditions were created on the same day in 1936. Since then, every race winner has had his face added to this iconic trophy, which has become the symbol for reaching the pinnacle of performance. Winners do not get to take the Borg-Warner Trophy home. It stays on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Winning drivers and team owners receive a sterling silver replica of the trophy which is fondly referred to as the Baby Borg. After the winner's sterling silver image is attached to the main trophy, a replica image is attached to the Baby Borg's lacquered wood base. William Behrends has been sculpting the faces of the Indy 500 winners since 1990. The 2024 winner, Josef Newgarden, was the 35th face he has sculpted for the trophy. Behrends, who began sculpting when he was 26 years old, has been commissioned to immortalize a wide variety of subjects. Those subjects include Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, automotive pioneer Henry Ford II, golf legend Bobby Jones, and Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, who was Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835. Behrends grew up in Wisconsin and has always had a special place in his heart for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." "Growing up in the Midwest, I was always aware of the Indianapolis 500," Behrends said. "The first race I really noticed was 1963 when Parnelli (Jones) won. I was really fascinated by him and that win stuck in my memory. "Each year I look forward to working with the Indy 500 winner to capture his emotions and spirit so they can be part of the Borg-Warner Trophy for years and years to come." Then, there is the tale of Jack Mackenzie, who was once the caretaker of the Borg-Warner Trophy. Mackenzie was a student at Butler University in Indianapolis when he became the caretaker of the trophy in 1953. He earned $75 for his first year in that role and was responsible for transporting the trophy to various events throughout the month of May. Mackenzie stored the 80-pound sterling silver trophy in his dorm room at his fraternity house. He hauled it around town in the backseat of his car, often covering it with an army blanket for added security. Despite his best efforts, the trophy once vanished from his room in the fraternity house. Mackenzie said when he returned home from a date, the Borg-Warner Trophy was missing. He eventually found it in the basement of his fraternity house where it was being used as an impromptu drinking vessel. Mackenzie relinquished his trophy duties following the 1983 Indianapolis 500 saying at the time, "I've had my fun, I've enjoyed going to all the different activities associated with the speedway. It's time to let somebody else have some fun." The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has maintained control of the Borg-Warner Trophy ever since. "It's something all the drivers look forward to having their face on if they can win the Indianapolis 500," Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR President Doug Boles said. Bruce Martin is a veteran motorsports writer and contributor to Follow him on X at @BruceMartin_500 . BEST OF FOX SPORTS' INDY 500 COVERAGE: Ranking Indy 500 drivers from 33 to 1: Can anyone unseat Josef Newgarden? 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NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Scott Dixon aims for second Indy 500 win amidst tricky conditions
Dixon went on to explain that the introduction of the hybrid engines this year has upset the balance of the car to a certain degree. Drivers have to be aware that at the extraordinarily high speeds (up to 380km/h) attained at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the smallest of issues will result in a heart-in-the-mouth scare. 'The added weight from the hybrid [engine] is making it a bit more difficult, I think. There's so much weight and it's all at the back of the car, so when the car decides to go [starts sliding], it's much more difficult to try and catch it because it's just like a big pendulum. It just sort of swings around behind you. 'I wouldn't say you have to change your driving style too much; it's more about the car set-up. When the car goes, it's very difficult to get it back. In the past, you probably could have saved it [sliding], but it's much more difficult with the hybrid,' he said. Six-time IndyCar champion Dixon holds more category records than you can poke a stick at, including the all-time event record of leading the most laps (677). Just to prove his dominance at the most daunting of racetracks, the next best total is held by Helio Castroneves at 326 laps. Dixon may have had his likeness immortalised on the Borg Warner only once (2008), but his record at the speedway is impressive over the past 23 years. He's been on pole five times, finished 14 times inside the top 10 and been on the podium six times. Unlike last year, where he and his Chip Ganassi Racing team qualified 21st, this year he qualified on the second row in fourth. 'The car's fast this year, and I was a bit disappointed with the fast six. We were aggressive and pretty trimmed out, but the speed wasn't really there. Discover more Motorsport 'Consistency is the key': Payne on title hopes ahead of Tasmania round 09 May 05:45 PM Motorsport Dixon seeks elusive Barber victory in tight IndyCar season 02 May 02:45 AM Motorsport Kiwi teen bucks the trend in tough Moto3 world championships 01 May 08:00 PM Motorsport Hartley eyes success in Imola after tough start to endurance season 19 Apr 03:00 AM 'We were conservative in the last 12 to get to the fast six. We made a jump with the car for the fast six, but it never really happened. 'We had the same issues in practice when sometimes the car wasn't what we expected. Maybe the conditions affected the car or something, we didn't really know,' Dixon said. 'Qualifying fourth is good. [Takuma] Sato was a bit of a surprise [qualified second] and [Robert] Shwartzman getting on pole, we don't really understand. That car was so fast – kind of weird, and he wasn't even flat-out lifting a couple of times. 'The sister car was quite a few miles an hour slower – just a bit strange,' said Dixon. Any number of drivers can win an Indianapolis 500 – and over the years, cars starting towards the back of the grid have ended up crossing the line in first. In the past, drivers and teams could rely on mechanical dramas to mix things up, but not so much these days. You now have to have an almost perfect race day, including strategy, pit stops, avoiding trouble, having safety cars fall in your favour and plain good luck. 'If all the above are aligned, you'll be there or thereabout towards the end to make a push for the winner's circle. Advertise with NZME. 'Last year [finished third], we almost had the perfect race until the Will Power accident and if the race had run green until the end of the race we were in a much better position on fuel strategy. 'However, on the restart the two Chevies went past as we didn't have the speed last year, and qualifying 21st didn't help either. The car handled well, but we didn't have the speed. 'This year we have the speed, so if the same thing happens, we should be in a better position,' said Dixon. Scott Dixon Indy500 fast facts Scott Dixon is a generational IndyCar driver and at 44 is still setting records. Most wins by an active driver: Dixon has 58 career victories, making him the active driver with most wins and second on the all-time IndyCar win list behind A.J. Foyt's 67 wins. Second-most championships: His tally of six IndyCar Series championships (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020) is the second highest in series history, just one behind A.J. Foyt's seven titles. Most consecutive starts: Dixon holds the record for the most consecutive starts in IndyCar history, with 339 consecutive races and 407 starts in total. Most seasons with a victory: He has won at least one race in 20 consecutive seasons, the longest such streak in IndyCar history. Most Indianapolis 500 pole positions: He has six pole positions, tying the all-time record held by Rick Mears. Longest team tenure: He marked his 24th season with Chip Ganassi Racing, making it the longest tenure for any driver in a single team. Recognition: Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and then made Companion. Twice New Zealand Sportsman of the Year. Inducted into the Motorsport New Zealand Hall of Fame, Road to Indy Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. The mayor of Indianapolis declared September 24, 2018 as Scott Dixon Day.
