INDIANAPOLIS – AJ Foyt has many trophies and awards as the most accomplished American racing driver in history – the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
His face is on the Borg-Warner Trophy four times, the first driver in the history of the Indianapolis 500 to score four victories.
But there is one trophy Foyt did not have until Wednesday night. That trophy was a “Baby Borg” – the miniature version of the Borg-Warner Trophy that has been awarded to the winning driver every year since Rick Mears won the third of his four Indy 500s in 1988. A championship team owner’s trophy was created 10 years later.
In Foyt’s day, however, the winning driver received a Borg-Warner plaque, which included a likeness of the trophy along with an inscription plate that included the winning driver’s name, year and average speed.
Beginning in 2013, BorgWarner began awarding “Retro Baby Borgs” to living race drivers on a milestone anniversary of their Indy 500 win. Parnelli Jones received it on the 50th Anniversary of his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win.
Bobby Unser received a retro “Baby Borg” in 2018, the 50th anniversary of his first Indy 500 win in 1968. Mario Andretti received a retro “Baby Borg” in 2019 on the 50th anniversary of his 1969 Indianapolis 500 win.
The late Al Unser was supposed to get his retro “Baby Borg” in 2020 for his first win in 1970, but he had to wait a year in 2021 – the 50th anniversary of his second win in 1971.
Mark Donohue won the race 50 years ago in 1972, but he died from injuries suffered in a Formula One crash in Austria on August 19, 1975.
In order to get a retro “Baby Borg” a driver must still be living. Multiple Indy 500 winners get one “Baby Borg” instead of one for each winning year.
On Wednesday night at Foyt Family Wines on Main Street in Speedway, Indiana, Foyt finally received a retro “Baby Borg” in recognition for his Indianapolis 500 wins in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977.
The 87-year-old Foyt was in good spirits, surrounded by more than 100 family and friends. Former Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George and his wife, Laura, were in attendance as well as Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles and other racing friends of Foyt.
AJ Foyt Racing drivers Kyle Kirkwood, Dalton Kellett and JR Hildebrand were there as well as long-time car owner Tim Delrose, sponsor and close friend Marlyne Sexton, Indianapolis attorney Jim Voyles and his wife, Joan, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles and TV’s Dave Furst, now the IndyCar Vice President of Communications, and SPEED SPORT.
Foyt’s son Larry and his grandson, AJ Foyt, IV were also there to pay honor to the family namesake who remains a national sporting treasure.
Foyt’s “Baby Borg” was presented to him by BorgWarner Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications Michelle Collins and noted publicist Steve Shunck.
“It’s our honor to share the night with A.J., his friends and family and to present him with his very own one-of-a-kind Baby Borg,” said Collins. “As an Indianapolis 500 owner A.J. was awarded an Owners Baby Borg for Kenny Brack’s 1999 victory and now we’d like to honor him in a special way for his four Indianapolis 500 wins on this his 65th anniversary at Indy.
“A.J. means so much to so many race fans around the world and especially here in Indianapolis. He’s the founding member of the four-timers club and has his name in the record book for so many accomplishments at the Brickyard.”
Foyt’s one of a kind Baby Borg features a trapezoidal base which on each side represents one of his four victories at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977) featuring his name, the year of his win and the average speed. The sterling silver plates were hand engraved by Reid Smith who engraves the same information on the actual full-sized Borg-Warner Trophy.
“It’s an honor to get this trophy,” Foyt said. “I’ve always liked to do something different. That big one (the Borg-Warner Trophy) is awfully beautiful, too.
“This trophy is going to be displayed in a special place at my home. Thanks a million.”
Foyt was still beaming when SPEED SPORT walked into his garage in Gasoline Alley on Thursday morning.
“That was a really nice deal last night,” Foyt told SPEED SPORT. “My reaction was unbelievable. For me to have one of my own is special and it will go in a special place in my house.
“BorgWarner has done a lot for racing and probably one of the nicest trophies you can ever have.”
Foyt admitted he had forgotten what night it was until his long-time publicist, Anne Fornoro, called him to remind him.
“I jumped up and got dressed and came on down there,” Foyt said. “I saw some of my old, old friends of mine that I haven’t seen in a long time.
“Most of my friends are already under the ground. But you’re still here.”
Keyword: AJ Foyt Receives Retro ‘Baby Borg’ Trophy