• Alex Palou’s face was unveiled as the 112th addition to the Borg-Warner trophy after his first Indianapolis 500 win.
• The four-time IndyCar champion’s victory at the 109th Indianapolis 500 was also his first career win on an oval track.
• Palou displayed the trophy at a Pacers game and is expected to receive a smaller replica, known as a “Baby Borg,” next year.

INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou has dominated the IndyCar series, but Wednesday night was a first for his storied career.

The 28-year-old Spaniard unveiled the Borg-Warner trophy with his face, the 112th, affixed on it in bas-relief, sterling silver. Palou for the first time May 25 won the 109th Indianapolis 500 and will be commemorated on the Borg-Warner, which was unveiled at The Above Event Center at Commission Row.

“This is one of those days that I knew I wanted to be part of at some point in my career,” Palou said. “I knew it was going [to] take a lot of work, and finally to be here and to get to see the trophy for the first time, it’s amazing.

“I know that it’s always going to be there forever, if I race one more year or if I race 50 more years. And whatever the history of IndyCar is going to be, it’s always going to be there. So, it’s great to be part of all those amazing drivers. And, yeah, I feel that now. I want to get that face again on that trophy. Try and be part again of the history of our sports.”

The four-time IndyCar champion was off to a dominant pace to the 2025 IndyCar season and passing Marcus Ericsson on Lap 187 led to his crowning Indy 500 win. He has said in past interviews it was his greatest win, and it also was his first oval win.

Pacers & Racers was renewed, albeit a smaller-scale version. Palou took the Borg-Warner to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where he was able to display the Borg-Warner in front of Pacers fans as they hosted the Charlotte Hornets.

Palou celebrated winning the Indy 500 by attending Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

It is expected that Palou will receive a Baby Borg, a smaller model of the trophy, early next year.

“I’m honored to continue one of the greatest traditions in all of sports and unveil the latest addition to the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy at this beautiful venue,” Michelle Collins, BorgWarner global director, marketing and public relations, said. “Alex’s victory exemplifies that tenacity and constant commitment to excellence will result in success, on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at BorgWarner, congratulations to Alex and the team at Chip Ganassi Racing.”

How faces are sculpted onto the Borg-Warner Indy 500 trophy

Every Indy 500 winner since 1911 has a face sculpted onto the Borg-Warner trophy, which was originally designed in 1935.

Behrends, a renowned sculptor, has created every winner’s face for the trophy since 1990. He begins by studying 360-degree photos of the winner. Palou visited Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for construction of a full-scale clay model to be used as a reference point.

Behrends then constructs a smaller model out of oil-based clay that is turned into a mold and cast in wax to be sent to a jeweler to transform into sterling silver. It then returns to Behrends, who polishes it and buffs it before it is affixed on the trophy.

How big is the Borg-Warner Indy 500 trophy?

The Borg-Warner trophy is 5 feet, 4 3/4 inches tall. It weighs more than 110 pounds.

When is the 2026 Indy 500?

The 110th Indy 500 will take place May 24, 2026.

How to buy tickets for the 2026 Indy 500

How to order tickets for all the racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter.