NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2026) — Continuing its celebration of the spirit and heritage of Music City, the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls today unveiled the 2026 edition of one of motorsports' most distinctive winner's trophies: a custom-crafted Gibson guitar that will be awarded exclusively to the champion of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race during the July 18–19 race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
Created by Gibson — the iconic global instrument brand and a cornerstone of Nashville’s musical legacy — the one-of-a-kind trophy brings Music City craftsmanship to Victory Lane. Featuring a handcrafted, fully playable Gibson Custom guitar built by the master luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, the trophy showcases one of Gibson’s highest-end instruments. Celebrating the powerful intersection of speed, sound, and artistry, it serves as a trophy unlike any other in motorsports, blending world-class craftsmanship, musical heritage, and racing excellence into a truly unique championship prize.
The trophy was officially unveiled on Thursday, July 9, at Gibson Garage Nashville, Gibson’s flagship store and the ultimate Music City guitar experience, by Team Penske driver and defending Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix champion Josef Newgarden, who captured the 2025 victory after completing 225 laps at Nashville Superspeedway. The winner of this year’s race will earn the opportunity to hoist the exclusive Gibson guitar in Victory Lane.
Newgarden, currently sixth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship standings, was joined for the unveiling by Big Machine Founder and Chairman Scott Borchetta, INDYCAR President Doug Boles, and Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls President Anne Fischgrund, highlighting the event's unique fusion of sports, entertainment, and racing.
"Gibson continues to be an incredible partner, and we're honored to once again present one of the most unique winner's trophies in all of motorsports," said Fischgrund. "There's no place like Nashville, and no other race on the circuit where the champion takes home a handcrafted Gibson guitar. This trophy perfectly captures what makes the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls so special.”
This marks the third consecutive year Gibson has partnered with the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls to create its signature and unique winner's trophy. Unlike any other stop on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, Nashville awards its champion a handcrafted Gibson guitar that represents the roots of Music City and the passion and grit required to win at the highest level of the world’s fastest racing.
“At Gibson, we’re proud to help celebrate Nashville’s winning spirit with a trophy that could only come from Music City,” says Erica Krusen, Senior Director of Global Cultural Influence at Gibson. “This custom Gibson guitar represents the perfect blend of performance, craftsmanship, and culture — honoring the skill it takes to win at the highest level of INDYCAR while celebrating the music heritage that makes Nashville unlike anywhere else in the world.”
Rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural influence, Gibson has helped shape generations of music and the artists who define it. Headquartered in Nashville, the iconic global instrument brand brings an unmistakable Music City identity to one of motorsports’ most distinctive traditions. The custom Gibson guitar trophy has become a powerful symbol of victory, artistry, and the one-of-a-kind fusion of speed and sound that defines the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls.
The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by OnlyBulls returns to Nashville Superspeedway on July 18–19. Tickets, parking, camping, hospitality packages and premium experiences are available now at musiccitygp.com/tickets or by calling 866-RACE-TIX (866-722-3849).
