Indianapolis, Indiana – Alex Palou has lifted plenty of trophies in his career, each one a testament to speed, skill, and the relentless push of competition. He’s been to the top of the podium at tracks across the United States, and he has stacked up four NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships in just five seasons. But no amount of Astor Challenge Cups or race-winning hardware could prepare him for the experience of stepping into the sculptor’s studio in North Carolina and seeing the first outlines of his own face being prepared for racing’s most iconic monument—the Borg-Warner Trophy.
The Spaniard cemented his place in racing history on May 25, 2025, when he conquered the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Already respected as one of the sport’s modern stars, the victory elevated him into an entirely different stratosphere. It made him part of a select club of drivers whose likeness will live forever on a trophy that stands taller than some children, weighs as much as an average adult, and embodies the legacy of over a century of racing tradition.
For Palou, who has grown accustomed to the routine of racing and winning, the moment has been difficult to fully absorb.
“This is the best, honestly,” Palou said. “It’s crazy to know that my face is going to be on that trophy forever. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. When you win championships, you get your name engraved on trophies and in different places, but you never get your face on an awesome trophy like this with so much history. This is by far the best.
“To know that I can come to the (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) Museum in like 40 or 50 years, or wherever that trophy is, and see my face and hopefully remember the memories I’ve created this year, it makes it super special. I know my name and face will be there forever.”
The Power of Permanence
That permanence is what sets the Indianapolis 500 apart. Races are won and lost every weekend, but the Indy 500 comes with an enduring memory. Palou, reflecting on the aftermath, admits that the glow of the accomplishment lingers long after the checkered flag.
“It’s incredible that a win lasts for so long and that lets you enjoy it so much,” he said. “Now that I get to experience what it’s like to be the winner, I think, ‘Man, I can’t let anybody else do this.’ I want to do it again next year. I want to feel this feeling again. I want to be here again. I want these experiences again. So, yeah, it just burns. It puts more fuel in the fire to come back next year and try to win even harder.”
Palou’s determination underscores why adding his face to the Borg-Warner Trophy means more than recognition—it’s a reminder that greatness demands repetition. Each face on the trophy tells the story of a driver who once lived the same dream, fought the same battle, and earned the same moment of immortality.
A Studio Filled with History
On September 17–18, Palou traveled to the quiet town of Tryon, North Carolina, nestled near the South Carolina border. There, in the studio of sculptor William Behrends, he witnessed the transformation of his likeness into sterling silver. For Behrends, who has been the official sculptor of the Borg-Warner Trophy since 1990, this work is part of a decades-long ritual. Yet, each year, the process feels new.
Behrends has sculpted 36 winners for the trophy, from legends like Arie Luyendyk and Helio Castroneves to modern stars like Marcus Ericsson and Josef Newgarden. But Palou’s visit carried extra meaning. Behrends’ granddaughters attended their first Indy 500 this year, creating a personal connection between family tradition and professional legacy.
“They were excited,” Behrends said. “Their mom was excited, too. She first came with me when she was their age in 1990, at my first time doing this. She wanted her daughters to experience the same thing she had. So, it’s another generation.
“They’ll always remember his face on the trophy. That’ll be a milestone for them.”
The sculptor’s studio is a place where art and motorsport intersect. Behrends, trained in architecture and fine arts, has immortalized everyone from baseball icons Willie Mays and Hank Aaron to corporate leaders and political figures. But the Borg-Warner project is a singular commitment, one that requires a delicate balance of technical skill and artistic intuition.
“I like a challenge,” Behrends admitted. “So, doing the same face two years in a row is definitely a challenge. But I always enjoy working on a new face. You just have to study it — and he’s got a good one. I was complimenting him on his nose, and he said, ‘That’s a family nose.’ He thinks it’s big, but I think it’s very distinctive.”
Tradition and Uniqueness
The Borg-Warner Trophy itself carries countless stories. Standing 5 feet, 4¾ inches tall and weighing 110 pounds, it has been a centerpiece of racing tradition since 1936. Every driver’s face tells part of the story of the Indianapolis 500. Only one figure—legendary track owner Tony Hulman—is cast in 24-karat gold. And only one driver, Tom Sneva, has glasses etched into his likeness.
Palou is the 76th different driver to claim victory in the Indy 500, joining an exclusive fraternity that stretches back to 1911. Since his rookie debut at the Speedway in 2020, when a crash left him 28th in the standings, he has steadily built his Indy résumé. Now, as a champion of the 500, his journey is etched not only in statistics but also in silver.
Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou’s team since 2021, has now claimed six Indy 500 wins. Palou himself has completed every lap of the race since joining the team, a remarkable feat of consistency in a race known for its unpredictability.
The Sculptor’s Ritual
For Behrends, welcoming Palou in person was a chance to continue a tradition he values deeply. The sculptor has hosted winners at his studio since 2015, providing a space where they can watch their legacy take form. In 2024, Josef Newgarden’s visit was derailed by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, leaving Behrends to rely on reference photos. The opportunity to meet Palou face-to-face restored the personal element.
“The race is different every year, and so is this experience,” Behrends said. “But the longer I do it, the more we appreciate it. It’s something we look forward to. Getting to know the winners, not just working from photographs, it helps my work, and it’s a joy.
“Alex was kind enough to spend time with us. It’s wonderful. He got to experience a little of our life here, and for us, it’s just really a lot of fun.”
Looking Ahead
Palou’s likeness will soon join the rows of silver faces lining the Borg-Warner Trophy, his victory forever woven into the story of the Indianapolis 500. For him, the honor is about more than the artistry or even the history—it’s about memory. The chance to one day walk through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, decades from now, and see his face glinting back is the kind of permanence few athletes ever achieve.
And yet, even as he reflects on what he has already accomplished, Palou is already hungry for more. Immortality may come with a single Indy 500 win, but legacy is built by repetition. Palou knows this, and his words carry the unmistakable tone of a champion determined to return.
The fire is lit, the likeness is set, and the story of Alex Palou at Indianapolis is still only beginning.
