PR Newswire
- Jackpot increases by $20,000 annually
- Claimed only twice since its establishment in 1995
- Only six drivers have won back-to-back Indianapolis 500 races
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The BorgWarner Rolling Jackpot currently stands at $40,000, awaiting the moment a driver wins the Indianapolis 500 in consecutive years to claim the prize. Following his victory in the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Alex Palou has the opportunity to earn the jackpot if he captures his second win at the 2026 Indianapolis 500, to be held Sunday, May 24, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Established by BorgWarner in 1995, the Rolling Jackpot increases by $20,000 each year and rewards drivers who achieve the rare feat of winning the Indianapolis 500 back-to-back. The jackpot has been cashed in only twice since its inception—by Helio Castroneves in 2002 ($160,000) and Josef Newgarden in 2024 ($440,000). Since the inaugural race in 1911, only six drivers have captured consecutive victories at the legendary race, including Wilbur Shaw (1939–1940), Mauri Rose (1947–1948), Bill Vukovich (1953–1954), Al Unser (1970–1971), Castroneves, and Newgarden.
Palou, who has won the series championship for the last three consecutive years, drives for Chip Ganassi Racing and enters the 2026 Indianapolis 500 in first place in the NTT INDYCAR Series point standings after the first six races with 237 points. Palou has three wins this season and 22 career INDYCAR wins.
“The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most iconic races in motorsports, and BorgWarner is proud to continue building the excitement through the Rolling Jackpot,” said Joseph Fadool, President and CEO, BorgWarner. “Alex is driving great this season with three wins and five top-5 finishes, so there’s a good chance we’ll meet him again this year in Victory Circle.”
Beyond the Rolling Jackpot, a repeat victory would earn Palou another appearance on the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy, which features the sculpted faces of all race winners. He would also be presented with another BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy™, commonly known as the “Baby Borg,” a miniature version of the legendary 110-pound sterling silver trophy.
If Palou does not win the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the jackpot will roll over to next year with an additional $20,000 to the total.
About BorgWarner
For more than 130 years, BorgWarner has been a transformative global product leader bringing successful mobility innovation to market. With a focus on sustainability, we’re helping to build a cleaner, healthier, safer future for all.
The Borg-Warner Trophy, BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy, and BorgWarner Championship Team Owner’s Trophy are trademarks of BorgWarner Inc.
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SOURCE BorgWarner
