Why does the winner of the Indy 500 drink milk?

“Winners Drink Milk” is considered one of the most beloved phrases and traditions in Indiana and all of sports.

The tradition started at the Indianapolis 500 by driver Louis Meyer simply requesting buttermilk to quench his thirst after the 1936 race. The Drink of Milk has since evolved from a thirst satisfying beverage to a ceremonial hand-off with an Indiana dairy farmer giving the iconic, glass bottle of milk to the winner with over 250,000 people watching in-person and more worldwide.

Each year, two Indiana dairy farmers carry out the “Winners Drink Milk” tradition in the Victory Circle of the Indianapolis 500. The dairy farmers represent their colleagues’ hard and dedicated work to bring the nutritious drink to so many. A ‘Rookie’ is selected each year, who spends the first year “training,” and delivers bottles of milk to the winning Chief Mechanic and the winning Team Owner. The following year the Rookie becomes the official Milk Person and is given the honor of handing the ice-cold bottle of milk to the winning driver of the Indy 500.

The drivers are asked for their milk preferences before the race: fat-free, 2% or whole milk. Whole milk is the most popular choice by the drivers.