Pedal to the Metal: Indianapolis 500 Winner to Receive Striking NTT DATA Belt Buckle

• Global innovator of business and technology services to present custom-made, pure sterling silver belt buckle featuring rose and yellow gold to the 108th winner of the Indy 500.
• This is the company’s 15th consecutive year to present the “NTT DATA Buckle Award.” Dario Franchitti and Takuma Sato are the only two-time recipients.

PLANO, TX and INDIANAPOLIS – May 24, 2024 – The winner of Sunday’s 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is sure to become a heavy metal fan.

For the 15th consecutive year, NTT DATA will present the Indianapolis 500 winner with a stunning, custom-made belt buckle made of pure sterling silver with rose and yellow gold accents. The “NTT DATA Buckle Award” presentation will take place on the Yard of Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Monday’s Indy 500 winning team/driver photo session from 9-11 a.m. ET.

“To win the Indy 500’s coveted Borg-Warner Trophy, drivers need a magical combination of speed, teamwork, performance, precision and good fortune, not to mention years of hard work and determination,’’ said Margo Cooke, Head of Marketing, NTT DATA North America. “This race has amazing traditions. NTT DATA is proud to have started another one in 2010 when the inaugural NTT DATA Buckle Award was presented to Dario Franchitti.”

The concept of a belt buckle for Japan-based NTT is a subtle nod to the company’s U.S. roots in Texas. NTT DATA’s headquarters are in Plano, near Dallas. Exquisite buckles are customary prizes for rodeo champions, which Texas is famous for. The buckle is also distinctive from the many other trophies, contingency awards and cash prizes that Indy 500 winners receive. A close-up of a belt buckle Description automatically generated.

The handmade oval buckle measures 4.5” by 3.5” and features the official 108th Indy 500 logo set upon rows of yellow-gold bricks. Designed by A Cut Above Buckles in Dammeron Valley, Utah, the buckle is customized each year.

Click HERE for high-resolution, downloadable images of the “NTT DATA Buckle Award” for editorial use (All photo credits: Indianapolis Motor Speedway / INDYCAR).

NTT DATA began its relationship with the Indianapolis 500 in 2010 with sponsorship of the “NTT DATA Buckle Award.” The winning formula of performance, precision, technology and collaborative team skills is representative of NTT DATA’s brand, which makes for an ideal partnership for the global IT services innovator.

Dario Franchitti received his second “NTT DATA Buckle Award” in 2012. Takuma Sato, who won in 2017 and 2020, is the only other driver to earn two belt buckles. Other winners are Dan Wheldon (2011), Tony Kanaan (2013), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Juan Pablo Montoya (2015), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018), Simon Pagenaud (2019), Helio Castroneves (2021), Marcus Ericsson (2022) and Josef Newgarden (2023).

NTT DATA is also a proud partner of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team, including service as primary sponsor of the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, driven by Callum Ilott and Thèo Pourchaire. NTT DATA also serves as the team’s Official IT Services Partner. In addition, the company also has season-long associate sponsorships with Arrow McLaren’s entries for Pato O’Ward and Rossi, along with 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson in his Indy 500 debut.

NTT is the entitlement sponsor for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. NTT is the parent company of NTT DATA, and they serve together as Official Technology Partner of INDYCAR, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), the Indianapolis 500, and NASCAR Brickyard weekend. Live television coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on NBC starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, along with radio broadcasts on the INDYCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM.