Two of the most iconic symbols of victory in sports – the Borg-Warner Trophy and the Stanley Cup – appeared together Thursday night for a photo session on the world famous Yard of Bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Stanley Cup appeared at IMS courtesy of the Indy Fuel, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The oldest professional sports trophy in North America, the Stanley Cup is presented annually to the National Hockey League champion. Beginning in 1893, the Stanley Cup became the ultimate prize for various amateur and professional hockey organizations. Since 1910, when the National Hockey Association took possession of the Stanley Cup, the trophy has been symbolic of professional hockey supremacy. Beginning in 1926, only NHL teams have competed for the Stanley Cup, which is the only professional sports trophy where the name of every member of the winning team is inscribed.
The most prestigious symbol of excellence in worldwide motorsports, the Borg-Warner Trophy, made its debut in 1936 when it was presented to Indianapolis 500 race winner Louis Meyer.
The Borg-Warner Trophy features the three-dimensional sterling silver image of every Indianapolis 500 winner dating to Ray Harroun in 1911. Among the 101 bas-relief images adorning the Borg-Warner Trophy, all are drivers except for one. In tribute to his rejuvenation of the track and Indianapolis 500 following World War II, a 24-karat gold likeness of late Speedway owner and President Anton “Tony” Hulman was added in 1988.
The Borg-Warner Trophy is on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway