INDYCAR: Montoya, Penske receive “Baby” Borg-Warner Trophies

Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Montoya and team owner Roger Penske were center stage last night for the unveiling of the Borg-Warner trophy bearing Montoya's likeness, and to receive their "Baby Borg" trophies.

The pair were honored during the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit where the full-size Borg-Warner trophy, valued at $3.5m, was displayed featuring Montoya's second appearance on the trophy, complementing the Colombian's first Indy 500 win in 2000.

Montoya was given an 18-inch replica of the Borg-Warner trophy, and Penske accepted his unparalleled 16th "Baby Borg" team owner's trophy at the ceremony.

"For some reason, it's not that different," Montoya said, comparing the miniature bust of his face from 2000 to 2015. "The trophy just looks so nice. I think I look better now. The sculptor did an amazing job. I look so much better."

2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Team Penske, and will see the 100th running of the Indy 500 take place in May. Both distinctions would make earning a 17th Baby Borg a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Penske.

"I guess it would be pretty special because it's not only the 100th win, but it's also the 50th anniversary of Penske Racing," he said. "When you put those two together, you'd have to say it's pretty special. To be able to stand at the drivers' meeting this year, as the previous winner does, along with the driver, would be pretty special because that's going to be an iconic photo that's going to last for the next 100 years."

With a strong four-car lineup this year, Penske could make it happen.

"When you look at the history and each one you get gets tougher because you begin to understand the impact of those personally and then as a team," he added. "The good news is we all start at ground zero going into the next race. The only thing we have as an advantage is we have some 600 years with our people at the race. I think the durability, reliability and of course the driver lineup makes a big difference. It's hard for me to go back and think of each one of the races and why we won now, because we go back four decades, back into the '70s for our first win. You know the drivers, you know the different combinations. We've had some dry spots where we haven't won for a few years and then we've won three in a row.

"Number 16 came this year, and we were close in 2014 when [Ryan] Hunter-Reay beat Helio [Castroneves]. I think the driver lineup we have going into this season is the strongest we've ever had from the standpoint of having four bullets. We need to execute, and to me, that's the focus I have today – and not because I have a bunch of trophies in my cabinet. The point is I need another one and I'm not going to be satisfied unless I get one."