A concept submitted by Dan Nichols of Huntington Beach, Calif., will serve as the inspirational design for the winner's trophy for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis - the first IndyCar Series road race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- on May 10.

More than 150 trophy designs were submitted through a contest, and a panel of judges that included members from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, IMS executives, reigning IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden made the selection.

"Race drivers often say that it is about winning the trophy and nothing else," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "IMS joins with the Arts Council of Indianapolis in thanking all of the entrants for their participation and we congratulate Dan Nichols for his design. I look forward to seeing this beautiful trophy hoisted over the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis winner's head in victory lane on May 10."

Nichols, who was recognized at a trophy unveiling ceremony at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, will receive a replica of the trophy, two suite tickets to the inaugural race and a post-race photo with the winner.

"It was total disbelief when I'd heard that I had won," said Nichols, who noted that he had never previously designed a trophy. "I thought I might've been the runner-up or something and that would've been exciting, but to actually win it is amazing. This is very humbling and I get the chills when I think about it. To be involved with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Grand Prix of Indianapolis blows me away."

Nichols, who grew up idolizing Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt, most of the Indy car races at Long Beach, Calif., since the mid-1990s.

"My inspiration was drawn from a desire to design something iconic, elegant and strong, while giving homage to the exceptional racing heritage of Indianapolis," Nichols said. "I sought to integrate familiar cues such as pistons, the oval, and the iconic wings in a dramatic uplifting way. My hope is that this trophy would be something INDYCAR fans would enjoy and Indy winners would revel in lifting up over their heads in celebration."

For tickets and information, visit www.GPofIndianapolis.com.

The Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course will jump-start Month of May activities at IMS and build toward the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 25.