Celebrating Josef Newgarden and Roger Penske collecting their “Baby Borg” Trophies for winning the 108th Indianapolis 500

Roger Penske:

This is Roger Penske, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcasts. I'm your host Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport.

I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as nbcsports.com, si.com, ESPN Sports Ticker, Sports Illustrated, Auto Week and Speed Sport. So, let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy.

Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, as we begin our fifth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. One of the highlights of the off season is when the previous year's Indianapolis 500 winning driver and team owner received their Baby Borg trophies.

For the second year in a row, the celebration was at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, as Josef Newgarden collected his second straight Baby Borg. But for team owner Roger Penske, it was his record extending 20th Baby Borg trophy to commemorate his record, 20 Indianapolis 500 wins as a team owner.

Pit Pass Indy was honored to be at the ceremony along with many key members of the Penske Corporation, IndyCar, Team Penske, and many of its key partners and sponsors. Today's Pit Pass Indy celebrates this big event with exclusive interviews with Josef Newgarden and Roger Penske.

Later in the show, we have a special interview with BorgWarner, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Fadool and Michelle Collins, BorgWarner, Global Director of Communications and Marketing.

Let's drop the green flag in today's Pit Pass Indy, with this exclusive interview with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Josef Newgarden, who became the first driver to win the Indy 500 back-to-back since Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002.

Newgarden is also the sixth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in back-to-back years. Newgarden joins me for this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy from the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.

It's getting to be an annual appearance here for our next guest. We're at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Baby Borg presentation, and for the second year in a row it's Josef Newgarden of Team Penske who collected his second Baby Borg for winning the 108th Indianapolis 500.

Joseph, where does this one go? It didn't take you long to get booked in Baby Borg, it only took you one year.

Josef Newgarden:

Pretty incredible, Bruce. For me, I feel so fortunate to have had a career and had as many opportunities as I've had at Indianapolis, and to convert two of them, I'm thankful. I'm thankful that I got two on the board.

Roger's got 20, so he's got a lot more than anybody but just to have contributed to the team and the legacy of Team Penske and the drive for Roger and to now have two Baby Borgs, it's surreal. That's the only way I can put it.

Bruce Martin:

And the habit once again at the Henry Ford, which celebrates America's history in automotive, to be able to have it here, it's a historic event in an historic venue. The Henry Ford's also a great museum of Americana, there’s all kinds of exhibits here.

Just shows you what life was like in the 20th century, the early 20th century, the 1950s, the 1960s, to be able to have an event such as this, the Indianapolis 500 is rooted in history. It seems like a perfect place, especially when we're honoring Roger Penske based in Detroit to have this event at the Henry Ford.

Josef Newgarden:

I would agree, it's a great location. There's been a lot of effort that's gone into this museum. As you said, they've got the Driving America exhibit, there's all sorts of exhibits in here that really honor the history and heritage of motor sport and the car industry throughout the United States and the timeline and how it's been connected to Motorsport, which is the fun part about it.

Certainly, for me as a race car driver, it's fun seeing the connection points. They've got this driven to win exhibit as well, where there's this really, really cool … they've got this show they basically produced about different racing events and how they've come together and the experience of being a part of it.

And one of them is the Indianapolis 500 and I got to be sort of the centerpiece of it. They followed us around and we're trying to live our experience at the Indy 500. So, just coming to this museum is always special. And they've been very welcoming to us and being able to have this ceremony here to receive the Baby Borg, so it is a fitting location, I think.

Bruce Martin:

When the winner of the Indianapolis 500 takes the checkered flag, it begins a one year celebration, more or less of winning the Indianapolis 500. By you winning it back-to-back years, that celebration is going to go on a two-year period of celebration on this. What has the two years been like for you?

Josef Newgarden:

It’s been incredible. I mean, when you win Indianapolis, it really transforms the result of the year. Of course, you want more. I mean, for us, we're still competing for a championship and it's not just one victory that we're trying to secure, but when you win Indianapolis, you're winning the most significant event of the year by a mile.

It's so hard to get the Indy 500 right, and to be perfect on the day and you really do have to be perfect on the day. If you make any sort of mistake, you don't win it. Roger Penske talked about that tonight, and it's so true.

You make any mistake, any misstep and victory's going to slip away. So, it's been enjoyable, just having had the opportunity to compete with fast cars and to realize victories, it just makes everything worth it at the end of the day. So, I think you got to enjoy it and appreciate it while it's around because it's never guaranteed to come back.

Bruce Martin:

Where are your Baby Borgs going to be displayed?

Josef Newgarden:

At least my first one's been on my desk, so I think the second one's going to go right next to it and I love it. I mean, it's the coolest trophy in sport and the fact that we get a little mini version of it is beyond cool.

Bruce Martin:

Your son Kota, what does he think of these Baby Borg trophies? Does he immediately pick them out and want to gravitate toward it?

Josef Newgarden:

He's pretty respectful, actually, you'd be surprised. He's very gentle, he doesn't break too much stuff, but he's got his baby wreaths which are really cool. He has those in his room. BorgWarner was very nice to get wreaths made for him just miniature size, so I thought that was pretty neat. We have those framed and he's got them up in his room to remember the event.

Bruce Martin:

So, after tonight's event celebration, it's back to work for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season. You could become the first driver in history to win three Indianapolis 500s in a row, there's been a few drivers that have come close. How important would that be to become the first driver to do that three years in a row?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it's not a make or break, I just don't think it changes our legacy or the worth of our team if we win three in a row. But we for sure have a chance to do it, and I think we have a great chance to do it. I think we're going to have good cars again, and it would be a huge deal.

I mean, how often do you show up to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and you have an opportunity that no one else does on the day to make history? So, I'm very excited about that and I look forward to the challenge. I know our team looks forward to it, and we're going to be working hard to make the I don't want to say impossible, but probably the improbable happen.

Bruce Martin:

And also, win another NTT IndyCar Series championship for you, that would be your third.

Josef Newgarden:

Yes, very much. We want to come back and fight for the championship. I think we can do that too. I've looked at the numbers from this last year with our team and we're really in a good spot. I think that we had some outlier events in 2024, but across the board, I think we were quite strong. When I look at performance, metrics so I think we can repeat that in ‘25 and string more positive events together and make a good run for the championship.

Bruce Martin:

On another topic, Fox Sports unveiled their first commercial to introduce the IndyCar Series drivers to their audience. Fox will be the new home of IndyCar Series action beginning in 2025. The first driver commercial was yourself. They knocked it out of the park. It was an extremely well done, entertaining, funny commercial and when you saw it for the first time, what did you think?

Josef Newgarden:

I'm just impressed. They're a great partner. I'm proud to be working with them and they got great teams across the board, especially in their marketing group. And I think they get the DNA of IndyCar, they understand the significance of this series, what it was in the past, what it should be now, what it can be in the future and I think it's in good hands.

Visibility is a big thing for us. We got to tell people the story of IndyCar racing again and bring them back in and I think they're going to carry that torch for us in a in great fashion.

Bruce Martin:

Did you have any idea how they were going to do the commercial?

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, I mean, I saw the storyboards, I filmed it as well, obviously, and turned out about as I would've thought, but probably a little bit better even.

Bruce Martin:

But I don't think you expected Tom Brady or Alex Palou to be part of your commercial.

Josef Newgarden:

I knew one of those guys was going to be in it but one was a surprise so it's pretty cool.

Bruce Martin:

And America's going to get to know your jawline. It seems that that's one of the more identifiable features of Josef Newgarden's face is his jawline. Did you expect that or is that something you're proud of, or is it something you get a little bit embarrassed by?

Josef Newgarden:

It's embarrassing for me. I don't know what people are on about with that, but if that's what they want to focus on, that's fine. Whatever's going to get people to tune in to watch a great race is what I care about.

Bruce Martin:

Also, what about the part where they played that you've authored a children's book and Alex said, “My kid hated it.”

Josef Newgarden:

I made the commercial, it was so funny to me and it showed a little personality for Alex and I think the irony is that he actually has one of those books and I don't think he hates it, but it was very funny.

Bruce Martin:

We're going to see some more driver commercials like that. Pato O’Ward's going to have one coming up, Alex Palou's going to have one coming up. With you being the first one, that's got to be a little bit of an honor in itself that they chose you to be first.

Josef Newgarden:

Huge honor. I think Fox, they've been a great partner and they're going to do a great job across the year. But we haven't even started yet and they're off to a tremendous start. So, we're very thankful for their involvement and their partnership.

Bruce Martin:

Fox is also famous when they have the Super Bowl to maybe get in the past they've had NASCAR champions, Daytona 500 winners to help promote the fact that they have the Daytona 500. Have you been contacted about possibly maybe be part of the Super Bowl or going to the Daytona 500?

Josef Newgarden:

Yes, potentially to both. I would like to go to both, so we'll see if I can get down there but I'd like to put both of them on my list, yes.

Bruce Martin:

That would be part of the Fox promotional effort.

Josef Newgarden:

I mean, I think either way, if I can do something with Fox, I would love that, but I would just like to be at the events. I'd love to see Daytona up close again, cheer on our team. Obviously, we have a big effort there with Team Penske, but just to see the Super Bowl too would be tremendous. So, yeah, I'm going to try and get there.

Bruce Martin:

But we saw the tremendous job that Fox Sports did at IndyCar content days, and when you went through the stations and everything that they had to film stuff, how impressed were you by their creativity?

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, impressed. I mean, they've got an all-star team and we've been able to work with them up to this point. So, excited for what we can do.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Josef Newgarden two-time Indy 500 winner, which means you have two Baby Borg trophies, congratulations on that, enjoy yourself here at the Henry Ford. We'll be talking to you more throughout the season and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. And hey, good luck in winning another Indy 500 and a championship in 2025.

Josef Newgarden:

Thanks, Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Will Power:

This is Will Power of Team Penske, and you are listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. When it comes to success, Roger Penske sets the standard in both business and in racing. Penske celebrates his 88th birthday on February 20th, but he received a special gift on January 16 at the Henry Ford when he was presented his 20th Baby Borg trophy for winning the Indianapolis 500, a record extending 20th time.

Although Pit Pass Indy was at the Henry Ford, we were able to get some extra time with Roger Penske from his home after the ceremony concluded for this exclusive interview.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy, it's a real honor to be joined on the phone by Roger Penske, who earlier tonight collected his 20th Baby Borg trophy for winning the 108th Indianapolis 500. Roger, I know that this event never gets old, what is it like though to hit the milestone of 20 Baby Borg trophies for winning 20 Indianapolis 500s?

Roger Penske:

Well, Bruce, let me say this, that my receiving the Borg tonight, the Baby Borg at Henry Ford was special. It's a history of automobiles and certainly to have BorgWarner come and be part of this celebration is key.

But really tonight I received the Baby Borg but it's really for the whole team and the people that have put together over the years, the drivers, the mechanics, the engineers, the sponsors who helped us get to this point of 20 Borgs is amazing and it's a tremendous opportunity to race at Indianapolis.

The people that have helped me there have been amazing and tonight getting the 20th was something special because a number that I had talked about a number of years ago, and we're here now, we got to go hopefully for another one.

But more importantly, the guy that got it done this year was Josef Newgarden. And there's no question the job that he did during the race, savvy, smart, tactical, and to make that pass at the end in the third corner was amazing.

Bruce Martin:

The Henry Ford celebrates the history of the automotive industry in America, and it also celebrates Americana itself. What more fitting place is there to be able to have the Baby Borg ceremony than in the automotive industry, the capital of auto racing is Indianapolis, but the automotive city of the United States is Detroit and to be able to have it at the Henry Ford, how special is that and how appropriate is that?

Roger Penske:

Well, I think it's appropriate because you think about Firestone and Ford and some of the people that were involved early on in racing, even supporting Indianapolis. And I think overall, when you look at the artifacts, the history and what was done before, and I go back many, many decades, so some of these cars I'm very familiar with, but many other people are not.

But it's just a true history book of the automotive industry that's been displayed in a very first-class way and it's a pleasure to have the ceremony there. But I was a trustee there for a number of years early on in my career in Detroit. So, also having us have the celebration in Detroit is special because we're a winning town right now, we’re the lions.

Bruce Martin:

Well, definitely that and also the fact that it's the home of the Penske Corporation. You live in Detroit, Detroit is very personal, the success of Detroit. Both the automotive industry and in the sporting world with the Detroit Lions, your IndyCar Series team that's based in North Carolina, but of course is the showcase team of the Indianapolis 500.

But when you look at the long history to be able to still be putting numbers on the board, as you like to call it, how important is that for you that this long in your career and this long for the history of your team, they're still chasing Team Penske?

Roger Penske:

Well, Bruce, I would say this, that the reason that we continue to compete and the time and effort is because it's a brand builder for us. Motorsports has been the common thread throughout our entire company. It was in the past, and it is today, and we want it to be in the future.

So, winning makes a difference. Our people win on a weekend and maybe they lose when we lose but again, the big races that we've been able to accomplish wins in has a great umbrella over our whole company.

Bruce Martin:

You also announced that when the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum is opened, that's where your display of the 20 Baby Borgs will be. All of those will be put on display at the new museum. And how important is that to be able to showcase that at what's going to be a spectacular new museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Roger Penske:

Well, I've been blown away with what Joe Hale and the team at the museum have done. I agreed as the owner of the speedway, that we would lease a museum to the foundation for a dollar for 25 years, then they would make a significant investment, which they have, I understand it's in the range of 60 to 65 million.

And as part of that, we took 6,000 square feet in the back of the museum and we have Penske Gallery, and you're going to see the Baby Borgs, you're going to see the winning cars, you're going to see driver suits, you're going to see engines, you're going to see rings and to me, it's the one place that we can showcase our success.

And I think that people will be amazed when they see the digital route that you can take when you come into our exhibit. So, to me this whole journey that I've been on is really in one direction, and that's just provide racing to the public, but also build our brand.

Bruce Martin:

Now you talk about brand building, and you talk about partnerships at Team Penske, and one of those is very important to the team and also to the Penske Corporation and of course, is Shell. Beginning in 2022, when Joey Logano won the NASCAR Cup Series championship, it began a streak of success between Shell and Team Penske that continued because after that, Josef Newgarden won his first Indianapolis 500 in 2023.

Then Ryan Blaney with Shell Associate Sponsorship gave Team Penske its second straight NASCAR Cup Series championship later that year. And then in 2024, Josef Newgarden became the first back-to-back winner of the Indianapolis 500 with Shell on the car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

And you followed that up with Joey Logano winning his third NASCAR Cup Series championship, but his second in three years and the third straight for Team Penske. So, in a lot of ways, how important was it to share that success with Shell?

Roger Penske:

Well, Shell has been a partner with us back in the Pennsville days when Rick Mears won in ‘84 and then on to many other years in our racing. But again, we have a tremendous relationship with Shell, both on and off the track. They support our business, we utilize their products, then together we showcase our success.

Bruce Martin:

And the fact that they are a long-time partner of Team Penske and the Penske Corporation, how valuable is that business-to-business relationship? You're able to showcase it on the racetrack, but utilize it in all of your other businesses.

Roger Penske:

It's a massive relationship. It's one that's deep, it's long, it's wide, and the people that are running Shell are people that we've seen them come up from lower levels of responsibility to the top, and I think we've been able to partner with them all the way along and it's been really a great marriage, you might call it and we continue to expand it both professionally and also on and off the track.

Bruce Martin:

Your philosophy has always been you like to look ahead, you don't like to look back too much. So, it's 2025 already, you're gearing up for the Rolex 24 at Daytona with your Porsche Penske Motorsport program, and then of course the Daytona 500, and then it's time for the IndyCar Series to get started. So, I guess this is really one of your favorite times of the year, because everything's a fresh start and there's a lot of achievements that Team Penske can have in 2025.

Roger Penske:

Well, as you know, we have the three series we're competing in the Porsche and, the IndyCar Series and also NASCAR. I tell you, the big job we have is we had such a great year last year, how do we top that?

So, we got to go to the 24 hour and try to win that one again, we got a great group of drivers and teams to be able to run down there for the 24 hours. Then of course, when you look at NASCAR coming up in Daytona, it's going to be terrific.

And then really going back to St. Pete is somewhat I have to say, it's going to be something I'm going to look at well, because we had an issue there we could call it push to pass which there's lots of reasons and why, but at the end of the day, we were put under the bus from the standpoint of the regulations and what took place, which I understand, and we accepted and took the proper action, but I want to go back there and win that race again so that's special on my list right now.

Bruce Martin:

Well, speaking of that, the fact that Josef Newgarden and Team Penske were able to rebound from adversity in the Indianapolis 500, all three Penske drivers swept the front row for the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since 1988. Of course, Team Penske was the team that did that in 1988.

You swept the front row, Scott McLaughlin on the pole, and then in the race, Josef Newgarden one of the most exciting Indianapolis 500s that we can think of. So, you really had to be proud of the way your team rebounded from that adversity.

Roger Penske:

There's no question, but we needed to win at Indy. For the last couple years, we just didn't have the speed and we missed it from a technical standpoint, but we’re able through hard work, and I would say just everyone committed to make this year's Indy, the 24 NDB really a signal to people that we were the team to beat and I think we were ready when we got there, we executed, and now we got to do it again in ‘25.

Bruce Martin:

Now, of course, 2025 is going to be the dawn of a new partnership with Fox Sports. They have already done an outstanding job of marketing and promoting IndyCar, the Indianapolis 500. They seem to be a tremendous partner of IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We've already seen some outstanding commercials. The Josef Newgarden commercial is one of the best that I've ever seen. How excited are you and how impressed are you by the level of effort that Fox has put into this partnership?

Roger Penske:

Well, you got to go back, you know, NBC was a great partner, that was something he was negotiated before. I was really an owner at the speedway, and I think as we looked to the future, we looked at a new car, we looked at new engine capability with hybrids, we also looked at our marketing and really our position within the industry.

And when you looked at the tremendous momentum, the Drive to Survive gave Formula One, we needed to look for a partner that could give us, obviously, the exposure and commitment to the series. But more important was that we'd have a continuous 17 race series would be covered on linear TV by one TV organization, which obviously is Fox and Fox Sports.

So, to me, it was strategic, it still is strategic, and I would say today they've delivered a lot more than we've expected already.

Bruce Martin:

And to still be able to have all this success at this stage of your career, you're still just as ready to go as ever. A lot of people have always asked what your secret is, your secret to longevity, your secret to success? I'll have to ask that again, what is your secret?

Roger Penske:

Well, I think it's commitment. I have a commitment to our people, to our companies, to our partners, our customers and I want to carry this legacy and this mission as long as I can and today you've got to do that out front.

You've got to do it on the ground, not sitting in your desk or somewhere in the sun. So, I'm motivated that way, I'm put together that way and I think the success has even made me even stronger to commit for the future and that's where I am today.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Mr. Penske, you're certainly a model of success and a role model to others of what you can accomplish through a lot of hard work and dedication. Congratulations on collecting your 20th Baby Borg trophy at the Henry Ford. Good luck in the 2025 IndyCar Series season and all your other racing endeavors in 2025 and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

Roger Penske:

Well, thank you. Bruce, it's a pleasure and let's see you down the road at the races. All the best.

Bruce Martin:

Thank you. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Josef Newgarden:

Hey everyone, this is two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy, the Baby Borg ceremony’s a special night for both the Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the BorgWarner Corporation. The Henry Ford is a perfect location for this event because this historic museum honors the history and heritage of the American automotive industry and Americana with many great exhibits.

Located in Dearborn, Michigan is also near the headquarters for the Penske Corporation in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and BorgWarner in Auburn Hills, Michigan, both suburbs of Detroit. Joseph Fadool is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BorgWarner and presented Josef Newgarden and Roger Penske with their Baby Borg trophies on January 16th.

Michelle Collins is BorgWarner's Global Director of Communications and Marketing. Both join me for this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy.

It’s a big day for our next two guests. We're at the Henry Ford, where on January 16th, Josef Newgarden received his second straight Baby Borg trophy. We're honored to be joined by the soon-to-be BorgWarner, incoming CEO Joseph Fadool, and of course, our friend Michelle Collins, the Global Director of Communications and Marketing at BorgWarner.

Michelle, you've been part of this program for a very long time, but for Mr. Fadool, this is the first time you got to hand the trophies to Roger Penske and this year's winner, or last year's winner, I should say, the Indy 500 Josef Newgarden. How big of an honor was that for you?

Joseph Fadool:

I mean, for us as BorgWarner, this is a complete privilege to be a part of, not only Indianapolis 500 but to be part of the Penske racing celebration. And he's won the race 20 years or 20 times which is just fantastic. I think it's a great day for everyone.

Bruce Martin:

And of course, having it here in Detroit at the Henry Ford, which celebrates not only the history of the automotive industry in America, but Americana, tremendous exhibits here, especially in racing automotive, Americana, what McDonald's used to look like, what Holiday Inns used to look like. They've even got some historical vehicles such as the presidential limousines and even going further back into that, but the habit of a place like the Henry Ford, how fitting is that?

Joseph Fadool:

I mean, it's a great fit for the museum here. If you think about this museum it's a history of innovation mainly for the car industry, but like you said, across a lot of things. So, I think it's great to have the celebration here. Racing is a lot about innovation, excellence, collaboration, teamwork so it's just great to be a part of.

Bruce Martin:

Now for Michelle Collins, you've done this numerous times. Of course, Mr. Fadool is no stranger to the Indianapolis 500 and BorgWarner's involvement, you are in victory lane with the wreath. What's it like for you every year? I know that you say this, and the trophy unveiling where we see the new driver's face unveiled on the BorgWarner trophy, the permanent trophy are two of your favorite days of the year outside of the race itself.

Michelle Collins:

Yeah, for sure. This day is always good because it kind of closes the chapter on the previous year's race, and we look forward to the next year. So, you might've had a little premonition news that this year's winner, Josef Newgarden, it might be could we see a three-peat with him? It's absolute possibility.

So, I do enjoy this day just because it's also closure for the previous year. But it's just a fun day in general, no matter who wins, who's the owner it's just a happy day all around, you can't complain.

Bruce Martin:

Well, the reason I said that January is always a strange month because you're shifting into a new year. Sometimes you say the previous year or you write the previous year when you do checks, if anybody still writes checks.

But when you look ahead to 2025, though, you brought up a very good point, there's never been the same driver's won the Indianapolis 500 three times in a row. Josef is the only driver that has a shot at that, the first driver since Helio Castroneves in 2003. What would it be like to the company if you did have the first three in a row winner of the Indianapolis 500?

Michelle Collins:

It wouldn't be as exciting of a back-to-back jackpot, that's for sure, since that's reset back now to $20,000. But that would be really cool just to see that during my time. I mean, this last year we saw the first rain delay at least since I had been at BorgWarner. So, could this be another first this year? That would be really neat.

Bruce Martin:

Josef did get the rolling jackpot, which had made it all the way up to $440,000. You knew one day eventually you were going to have to turn that check over to the driver but yet what was the benefits that BorgWarner got out of seeing that photo of him with that big amount on that check and also, just the fact that the winner of the Indianapolis 500 is going to win $3 million anyway. Well, his just got boosted by nearly half a million dollars thanks to BorgWarner?

Joseph Fadool:

I mean, we were absolutely excited for Josef. We introduced that as a way to celebrate even another level of excellence. So, to win it back-to-back and as Roger Penske says, “To win, you got to be better than six sigma.”

So, for us it was just an exciting day and to allow him to have that additional purse plus all the marketing and advertising, he gets out of it, we get out of it, it's just a another way to celebrate the day.

Bruce Martin:

Of course, we need to pay honor and to your predecessor, Frederic Lissalde, who will be retiring, you will be taking his place. When you look at the role that he's played in the expansion of BorgWarner as a corporation, how would you assess what he's been able to do during his tenure at the helm of BorgWarner?

Joseph Fadool:

Yeah, so Fred Lissalde, we can't say enough good things about Fred. He’s been at the company 25 years, I've known him since I started at the company over 14 years ago as a peer, as a friend, the last six and a half as a CEO.

And Fred, his legacy is really overseeing the major transition of our product portfolio. We've been 130-year-old company, very successful on the internal combustion side, and the last six, seven years pivoting more toward electrification. And Fred can be very proud about the legacy he's leaving behind to position us for the next a hundred years or so.

Bruce Martin:

Well, the interesting thing about the automotive industry is at one time it looked like it was going to head toward full electric. Now it appears that at least for the medium term, it's going to be more hybrid, where there'll be some internal combustion used with electrification.

Do you feel that in the long run, that is a good strategy to be able to do for the automotive industry because it really does give people time because technology is ongoing and maybe down the road electrification will become a little bit easier to do than what it is currently?

Joseph Fadool:

That's right. So, BorgWarner, we focus on a clean energy efficient world and even with combustion engines, we've been improving fuel economy and emissions for the last 50 years and electrification is just another technology to help do that.

So, there will be more hybrids, there's going to be more electrics. The great news is there's going to be some pure combustion engines that go out there. So, we're prepared for the future, whatever the market is asking for with great technology.

Bruce Martin:

Now, the 109th Indianapolis 500 will be the first time a hybrid engine will be used in the Indianapolis 500. It began midway through the 2024 season at Mid-Ohio in July. Didn't quite get started enough in time to be able to run it at Indy last year.

So, 2025 will be the first time that that will be showcased. How important will that be for the future of not only auto racing, but the automotive industry to use the Indianapolis 500 as a showcase for hybridization?

Joseph Fadool:

I mean, we believe it's the perfect place to launch the new technology using hybrid as part of the race. So, if you think about innovation and excellence and all the things required to win a race, Indianapolis really stands for pushing the envelope on technology.

So, we think it's a perfect place, we think it's also going to expose a lot more people, consumers, to the benefits of hybrid. We feel hybrid's a great transition technology for a lot of folks who aren't ready for electric cars. So, we're super excited about it and can't wait for the launch.

Bruce Martin:

And Michelle, with you being in charge of communications, public relations, marketing, to be able to market that, how valuable is that for your company to be able to showcase all of that at the Indianapolis 500?

Michelle Collins:

Like Joe said, it's a great testing ground to show to consumers, it's a great place to really showcase what that innovation can do and for us, just another reason to further explain and sell our products to the customer, to the OEMs and do so in an exciting weekend.

Bruce Martin:

And to see an icon such as Roger Penske collect his 20th Baby Borg trophy, that is a milestone number, may never ever be equaled or surpassed by anyone else in Indianapolis 500 history. But to see a man at his stage of his career still accomplishing great things, how great is it at, and how big of an inspiration is that, not only for the sporting world, but the business world.

Michelle Collins:

He's just amazing. He's an icon here in Detroit, and I think around the world really, there's nobody that's like him, whether he was chairing the Super Bowl committee when Detroit hosted the Super Bowl in what, 2005 or sorry, 2006 it was to what he's doing with IndyCar and IMS, just an amazing guy. Somebody I know I look up to, an incredible mentor. Josef talked about that in his speech tonight and somebody we really value the partnership with as well at BorgWarner.

Bruce Martin:

And Mr. Fadool, from your standpoint, what Mr. Penske has meant, not only to the Indianapolis 500, but to business and industry in the United States?

Joseph Fadool:

Sure. I mean, as Michelle mentioned he is such an inspiration and an icon and just his passion alone has driven a lot of change in the industry. So, for us it's just an honor to be a part of what we're celebrating with his team and we hope to see him back here in May and win for another time and continue the legacy, the great legacy that he’s created.

Bruce Martin:

And what is the date when you become CEO?

Joseph Fadool:

February 7th.

Bruce Martin:

And I imagine that's going to be a pretty exciting day for you.

Joseph Fadool:

It is. I'm very excited, looking forward, we've got a long history in the company with a lot of great people in the company, so it's not made of just one person. But I feel in great hands with the team we have and all the coaching we've gotten from Fred along the way. So, I'm excited.

Bruce Martin:

And of course, the highlight of the year will be when BorgWarner shows up at the Indianapolis 500 and for both of you to just describe what that day is like for you personally.

Michelle Collins:

It's just a lot of fun. It's a lot of work, but it's more work for the drivers and the teams. We just get to enjoy the greatest spectacle in racing. So, it's a weekend we all enjoy, always excited to see who's going to win and how we can promote the race and the series and what we do with the series throughout the next year. That's always the most exciting part for me is speculating who will win and kind of what will come from that.

Bruce Martin:

And for you, Mr. Fadool?

Joseph Fadool:

I mean, I think the word that comes to mind is pride. I think we're just very proud to be a part of it. The race is just a part of the weekend. It's the most important part of the weekend, but being there throughout the time, trials and the parade and the driver's meeting, and then culminating in the race if you haven't been there, it's absolutely fun. I hope to see all of you out there.

Bruce Martin:

I've been going every year for a very, very, very long time. It's like we tell everybody once you go to your first Indianapolis 500, you get hooked and you want to go every year.

Joseph Fadool:

That's right.

Bruce Martin:

Joseph Fadool, the new CEO that's incoming in February of the BorgWarner Corporation and Michelle Collins, Global Director, Communications and Marketing for BorgWarner, congratulations on another outstanding Baby Borg event here at the Henry Ford, good luck in 2025, and we'll see you at the Indianapolis 500 and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Michelle Collins:

Thanks, Bruce. See you there.

Joseph Fadool:

Yeah, see you in May. Thank you.

[Music Playing]

Bruce Martin:

And that puts a checkered flag on this edition on Pit Pass Indy. We want to thank our guests, two-time and back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner, Josef Newgarden, 20-time Indianapolis 500 winning team owner, Roger Penske, BorgWarner Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Fadool and Michelle Collins, BorgWarner's Global Director, Communications and Marketing for joining us on this special edition of Pit Pass Indy.

Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests, help make Pit Pass Indy your path to victory lane in IndyCar. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X, previously known as Twitter at BruceMartin_500. And be sure to look for a special bonus edition of Pit Pass Indy later this week from Racing Day at the Detroit Auto Show in Detroit.

This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thanks to our production team, executive producers are Brigid Coyne and Gerardo Orlando, recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcasts.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.