INDYCAR: Parnelli Jones Surprised With Commemorative BorgWarner Trophy

In a secret plan concocted by three-time Indy winner Dario Franchitti, Steve Shunck and Borg’s Tim Maganello, Jones received the one trophy he always wanted.

Robin Miller | Posted January 17, 2013

Parnelli Jones has just about everything money can buy and memories that are priceless. But he always wanted of those baby Borg-Warner trophies to commemorate his 1963 Indianapolis 500 victory.

Trouble was, BorgWarner didn’t start giving them away until 1988 so Jones was left with “trophy envy” the past 25 years.

However, that all changed Wednesday night in Detroit.

In a secret plan concocted by three-time Indy winner Dario Franchitti, racing publicist Steve Shunck and Borg’s Tim Maganello, Parnelli flew to Detroit ostensibly to give Franchitti his third 18-inch replica of the four-foot trophy.

Jones did just that and then the Scotsman turned the tables.

“I was floored,” said the oldest living Indy winner who celebrates his 50th anniversary of that win this May. “It was a great surprise and those guys did a good job of keeping it a secret. I guess everybody knew but me.

“That trophy is so famous and I always wanted a copy because all we got back then was a plaque. I even offered to buy one so this is really a neat deal.”

Franchitti said the plan was launched last fall during a cookout at Parnelli’s place with Rick Mears and Shunck.

“First of all, it’s been an honor getting to know Parnelli and hearing stories about the roadster era and battling with Jimmy (Clark) so it was really cool to be able to give him a Baby Borg,” said the Scotsman, who joined Louie Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Bobby Unser, Johnny Rutherford and Helio Castroneves as three-time winners.

“The look on his face was worth it. He was totally surprised.”

It’s been a good month for Jones as his biography, ‘As A Matter of Fact I am Parnelli Jones’ came out a couple weeks ago and he’ll be honored at the Speedway this May.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.