AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BorgWarner presented Dario Franchitti with his third BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy(TM) during the 2013 Automotive News World Congress held in Detroit, Michigan, on January 16. Known as the "Baby Borg," the personal keepsake sports a sterling silver visage of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner, a duplicate of the image displayed on the prestigious and historic Borg-Warner Trophy(TM). Team owner Chip Ganassi also accepted a BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy(TM), his fourth since 2000. As a special honor, Parnelli Jones was presented with a Baby Borg commemorating the 50(th) anniversary of his Indianapolis 500 victory in 1963.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130117/DE44506-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130117/DE44506-b )

"From the turbochargers that boost every engine in the IZOD IndyCar(®) Series to the prestigious Borg-Warner Trophy, we are proud to be part of a century-long tradition of achievement, competitive performance and technology leadership at the Indianapolis 500," said Timothy M. Manganello, Executive Chairman, BorgWarner. "Dario, Chip and Parnelli are part of an elite group of champions who have made the trip to Victory Lane not once, but several times. We are pleased to present these prestigious symbols of their achievement."

The BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy

A one-of-a-kind replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy, the BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the Indianapolis 500. The sterling silver trophy is 14 inches high, weighs five pounds and rests on a beveled black marble base. The base is inscribed with the winner's name and year of victory, and includes a hand-crafted, three-dimensional sterling silver image of the winner, a duplicate of the image affixed to the full-sized Borg-Warner Trophy. BorgWarner established the driver's trophy in 1988 to provide the driver with a personal keepsake of their victory.

The BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy

In 1998, the company also established the BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy as a companion to the driver's trophy. The team owner's trophy is presented to the owner of the winning Indianapolis 500 racing ream and recognizes the significance of the team owner's role in the Indy Racing League. Like the driver's trophy, the team owner's trophy is a replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy but features a band of art deco racing cars accented in gold to symbolize the importance of teamwork in the automotive business.

The Borg-Warner Trophy

First presented in 1936, the Borg-Warner trophy features the image of every Indianapolis 500 winner sculpted in sterling silver as a tribute to over 100 years of racing history. Since the trophy stands over five feet tall and weighs more than 100 lbs., it remains on display at the Indianapolis 500 Museum, making special appearances during events such as the presentation of the driver's and owner's trophies at the World Congress. For more information, visit borgwarner.com, and choose "The Indianapolis 500" from the "Company" pull-down menu at the top of the home page.

The Borg-Warner Trophy, BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy, and BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy are trademarks of BorgWarner Inc. IndyCar (and Design) are registered trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc., used with permission. IZOD is a registered trademark of pVH Corp, used with permission.

About BorgWarner

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a technology leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrain applications worldwide. Operating manufacturing and technical facilities in 57 locations in 19 countries, the company develops products to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. For more information, please visit borgwarner.com.

SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.