The checkered flag at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway brings immediate fame, the iconic sip of milk, and a place in the record books. But for the winner, the true weight of their achievement doesn't sink in until months later, when they stand in a quiet studio in Tryon, N.C., staring at a life-size version of their own face made of clay.
This is the world of William Behrends, the man who has sculpted every winning face on the Borg-Warner Trophy since 1990, and Reid Smith, the master engraver who hand-etches the final details into history.
The Studio Ritual: A Life-Size Study
The journey from athlete to icon is a multi-month transformation. While the winner is often still processing the adrenaline of the bricks, the work begins on the Monday morning after the race with a high-tech 360-degree headshot session. These photos serve as Behrends’ initial blueprint.
For 2025 winner Alex Palou, the process reached a critical milestone in September when he visited Behrends’ North Carolina studio for a formal in-person sitting. Behrends insists on creating a life-size clay bust first, even though the final silver face on the trophy is only about the size of an egg.
"The time I get to spend with the person is very valuable," Behrends has said. During Palou's visit, he sat with "Clay Alex" while Behrends refined the smallest details, a specific smile line or the crinkle of the eyes, to ensure the likeness captured the driver's personality. If a driver cannot make the trip, Behrends is forced to work purely from photography, a challenge he faced with Josef Newgarden’s 2024 win due to scheduling conflicts. But the "in-person" sitting remains the gold standard for approval. Once the driver sees the clay likeness and gives a nod, the face is locked in.
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The Miniature Miracle: From Clay to Sterling Silver
Once the life-size study is approved, the technical "shrinking" begins. Behrends doesn't use a machine; he uses the large model as a visual reference to hand-sculpt a miniature version in oil-based clay.