Indy 500 convention persists, as Joseph Fadool ascends to BorgWarner CEO role.
The Indianapolis 500 and BorgWarner have shared a historical bond since 1935, making their partnership the longest-running sports sponsorship in the world. With a new CEO, Joseph Fadool, at the helm, BorgWarner is keeping the flame of tradition alive while looking forward to a bright future.
Fadool took over from Frederic Lissalde on February 7, 2023, succeeding a mentor who fostered a strong relationship with IndyCar since the 1930s. This partnership is deeply rooted in history, as BorgWarner was the one who commissioned the Borg-Warner Trophy, awarded to each winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.

Today, BorgWarner is a global powerhouse in the automotive industry, specializing in making every corner of your car quicker, cleaner, and more efficient. Focusing on electrification solutions for the global passenger car and commercial vehicle industry, BorgWarner stands at the forefront of the changing automotive landscape.

BorgWarner's partnership with IndyCar began in earnest in 2012, when they became the official turbocharger partner for the IndyCar Series. Each Indy car benefits from BorgWarner's advanced technology, making it an integral part of the racing action. The company's expertise in creating compact, high-powered turbochargers has proven reliable and robust, ensuring top-notch performance in challenging conditions.

"For us, IndyCar parallels our values as a company: teamwork, collaboration, trust, winning, and resilience," Fadool said. "It fits so well with what we strive to achieve as a company and with all of our people around the world."

The history between BorgWarner and the Indianapolis 500 goes beyond the racing track. Another tradition was born when Louis Meyer, the first three-time winner of the Indy 500, requested a cold bottle of buttermilk to quench his thirst following his 1936 victory. This simple request led to a new tradition, with the American Dairy Association of Indiana presenting the winner with a "Bottle of Milk" every year since.

Fadool envisions an exciting future for BorgWarner and the Indianapolis 500, noting the potential for advancements in technology transfer, hybrid vehicles, and more. And while details of these upcoming changes remain under wraps, BorgWarner is proud to be a part of the Indy's innovative endeavors and looks forward to cheering on the racers in the coming seasons.

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History of BorgWarner's Involvement

BorgWarner's involvement with the Indianapolis 500 began in the 1930s, with the creation of the BorgWarner Trophy, first presented in 1936 to Louis Meyer, marking his third Indy 500 win [1][5]. This iconic trophy features a sterling silver face of every Indianapolis 500 winner, making it a symbol of excellence and tradition in motorsports [1].

BorgWarner's partnership with IndyCar deepened significantly in 2012 when they became the official turbocharger partner for the IndyCar series [1]. This role underscores BorgWarner's commitment to technological innovation and performance in high-pressure racing environments. By providing turbochargers for every car in the series, BorgWarner ensures that it remains at the forefront of automotive technology and innovation.
Contribution to Future in Automotive Industry
BorgWarner's involvement with the Indianapolis 500 and the NTT IndyCar Series contributes to its future in several key ways:
- Technological Innovation: Racing provides a dynamic testing ground for advanced automotive technologies. BorgWarner's participation allows the company to develop, test, and refine cutting-edge components under extreme conditions, which can then be adapted for production vehicles [1].
- Brand Visibility and Marketing: The association with prestigious racing events like the Indy 500 enhances BorgWarner's brand image globally. It signifies the company's commitment to performance, quality, and innovation, which can then be leveraged in the broader automotive market [3].
- Technology Transfer: Racing technologies in the form of electronic control units and engineering processes can be applied to broader applications in the automotive industry, contributing to advancements in vehicle performance and efficiency [1].
- High-Performance Brand and Aftermarket Products: The racing-derived technologies can drive demand for high-performance parts in the aftermarket industry, where BorgWarner already enjoys a significant presence [2].
- BorgWarner's commissioning of the Borg-Warner Trophy in 1935 marks the beginning of their historic partnership with the Indianapolis 500, a relationship that remains the longest-running sports sponsorship in the world, as celebrated by their new CEO, Joseph Fadool.
- Under Fadool's leadership, BorgWarner continues to foster its tradition-rich relationship with IndyCar, now in its 9th year as the official turbocharger partner of the NTT IndyCar Series, showcasing their commitment to technological innovation and performance.
- In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, BorgWarner envisions a future of advancements in technology transfer, hybrid vehicles, and more, as they collaborate with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency.