When Mario Andretti was told by Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles back in January that he would be honored for the 50th Anniversary of his 1969 Indianapolis 500 victory, the 79-year-old Andretti didn’t know the extent of that tribute.

Andretti was lauded with accolades and tributes, received gifts, signed thousands of autographs for fans and enjoyed reunions with his racing contemporaries.

But the best gift of all came on race day for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 when Andretti received a “Baby Borg” Trophy for his 1969 win from BorgWarner CEO Fred Lissalde. Andretti’s sons, Michael and Jeff, joined him for the on-stage presentation prior to driver introductions.

“I felt like I won the race over again, and I mean it,” Andretti told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “This race has so much meaning, you want to brag about it to anybody that visits. It has a very proud spot in my trophy room. It looks beautiful there. I display it with a lot of pride.

“I thank the BorgWarner people profusely about it. To us, that trophy should be displayed more than just a plaque that I had for 50 years.

“It’s something I will cherish forever.”

Andretti admits he had a hunch that he was going to receive something from BorgWarner before this year’s Indy 500.

“It’s hard to keep secrets in this world because it goes through different channels,” Andretti said. “There was no guarantee. Our people didn’t know what was going to happen until the day before. I rolled with the punches.

“It turned out to be totally awesome.”

Andretti came from an era where the winner of the Indy 500 received a half Baby Borg on a plaque. Since 1989, winners have received a miniature version of the Borg-Warner Trophy, that is the permanent trophy of the Indianapolis 500.

The “Baby Borg” is generally awarded at the Automotive News World Congress at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Rick Mears received the first “Baby Borg” in 1989 after his 1988 Indianapolis 500 win.

“It was much better than I imagined,” Andretti said. “They asked Michael to present it to me and I know how much that would have meant to him as a driver. Fortunately, he has won it as an owner. I know how hard he fought for that. To be part of this celebration was extra meaningful. Jeff was there and he was Rookie of the Year at Indy.

“We all derived so much from the Speedway, and they were there to celebrate it with me.”

When the month of May was completed, and the NTT IndyCar Series teams moved on to Detroit for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle, Andretti took the weekend off to rest and recuperate.

“I really needed that break,” Andretti said. “I really, really did. I enjoyed watching the race on TV that weekend.”

Andretti had no idea the month would be as big as it was with his tributes and celebrations.

“It seemed like it picked up steam every day,” Andretti said. “The international scene got into it. It was awesome. How can you not enjoy that? It was a ride like I would have never, ever thought. Fifty years later, the celebration was better than the original one. And it lasted. I celebrated it for a whole month and I’m still celebrating.

“Discovery Channel is doing something and will be at Indy where the exhibit is at the Museum.

“I’m living the dream. I just wish Dee Ann was here with me, “Andretti said of his wife who passed away last July. “She went through all of it with me.

“I have her in my heart.”

Andretti’s celebration has helped fill the void left by the loss of his wife.

“It does,” he admitted. “The one thing about Dee Ann, she never sought the limelight or the attention. In some ways, she might be rolling her eyes, like enough is enough.

“I can see her now up there going, ‘OK, Mario. That’s enough.’”

Other than the Baby Borg, the other aspect that impressive Andretti was the exhibit honoring his career at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

“When I got there on the Thursday before the INDYCAR Grand Prix, I was blown away,” Andretti admitted. “I had seen what they did for A.J. Foyt and the Unsers. I knew they’d do a great job. When I got there, the amount of work and research and everything blew me away. That was something.

“The feedback I got from so many people that saw it, I’m so thankful for the amount of work and energy.”