Tag: Milk

Why does the Indy 500 winner drink milk?

A perfectly reasonable question.

This story was originally published in 2021 and has been updated.

Welcome to FTW Explains: a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. You may have heard that the Indy 500 winner celebrates with a bottle of milk and want to know why. We’re here to help. 

It’s a quirky but perfectly understandable question some people have about the Indianapolis 500: Why does the winner drink milk?

Simply, it’s tradition. And the Indy 500 is all about tradition.

After taking the checkered flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in one of the biggest motor sports races in the world, the winning driver is draped with a giant flowered wreath and handed a bottle of ice-cold milk. The winner typically takes a couple sips, poses for a few quick photos and then proceeds to dump the rest of the bottle on their head — sometimes pouring milk on others nearby.

Meet the true hero of the Indy 500’s bizarre celebratory tradition: The Veteran Milk Man

The whole process makes for some truly spectacular photos, but how and when did this odd tradition start? It’s largely thanks to Louis Meyer back in the 1930s.

Via Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer regularly drank buttermilk to refresh himself on a hot day and happened to drink some in Victory Lane as a matter of habit after winning the 1936 race. An executive with what was then the Milk Foundation was so elated when he saw the moment captured in a photograph in the sports section of his newspaper the following morning that he vowed to make sure it would be repeated in coming years. There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since.

So if a big bottle of milk on a typically warm or hot Indiana day after several hours of intense racing sounds unappealing, blame Meyer.

But although he drank buttermilk, that’s not one of the options for drivers anymore.

The American Dairy Association Indiana is in charge of delivering the bottle of milk to the winner, and before every Indy 500, it polls the drivers to see what their preferred celebratory milk choice would be. But the options are simple: Whole, 2 percent or fat free.

However, there’s usually a write-in or two on the survey with drivers sometimes hoping for chocolate, strawberry or even buttermilk.

When the race is over, the “milk people” — yes, that’s really what they’re called — consult the poll of drivers to see what bottle the winner wants. They then grab one of three bottles from a nearby cooler, and the milk tradition continues.

And what happens if the Indy 500-winning driver is lactose intolerant? For The Win asked legendary racer Mario Andretti about that in 2017, and he explained:

“It’s a tradition. Not everybody enjoys milk but just because it’s happening at that point and because it’s got that meaning, all of a sudden milk tastes very good, even if you’re lactose [intolerant].”

However, the American Dairy Association Indiana does have a secret lactose-free option, should a driver request that.

For the 2023 Indy 500, the majority of drivers selected whole milk, which is typical.

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2023 Indy 500: Every driver’s choice of celebratory milk should they win

Most drivers keep it simple, but some want more than the three milk options offered.

Who wants milk after a usually hot and always physically taxing 500-mile race? Well, whoever wins Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 will definitely want a big jug of milk.

Typically, following an immediate on-track celebration, the Indy 500-winning driver pulls the car into Victory Lane, and a representative from the American Dairy Association Indiana — also known as the “Veteran Milk Man” — hands the driver a bottle of milk. The winner usually takes a few sips before dumping it on their head and maybe splashing some folks nearby.

Ahead of each Indy 500, the American Dairy Association Indiana polls drivers for their preferred milk choice if they end up winning it all. The options are simple — whole, 2 percent or fat-free milk — though many drivers hilariously would like a few more options. (There is a secret lactose-free option, should a driver request that.)

The American Dairy Association Indiana released the results of its 2022 milk poll Tuesday, and yet again, the most popular choice is whole milk.

Of the 33 drivers, 28 selected whole milk, while three went with two percent and two would like skim. No chocolate, strawberry or buttermilk write-ins this time, it seems.

After the milk poll was released Tuesday, Dreyer and Reinbold Racing announced Graham Rahal — who initially didn’t make the Indy 500 field Sunday — will replace injured Stefan Wilson. As a result, Rahal’s milk choice isn’t listed.

So, why milk? The answer is simple: It’s a nearly 100-year-old tradition. And the many traditions of the Indy 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway help make the 500 the magical event it is — milk and all.

Decades ago when the milk tradition began, it started with buttermilk and driver Louis Meyer. As Indianapolis Motor Speedway explains:

“Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer regularly drank buttermilk to refresh himself on a hot day and happened to drink some in Victory Lane as a matter of habit after winning the 1936 race. An executive with what was then the Milk Foundation was so elated when he saw the moment captured in a photograph in the sports section of his newspaper the following morning that he vowed to make sure it would be repeated in coming years. There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since.”

Buttermilk is no longer an option, but after the Indy 500, the designated “milk people” from the American Dairy Association Indiana will pull one of three bottles — one for each milk option — from a chilled cooler, which one of the milk people is sometimes handcuffed to. And they deliver it to the winning driver for the iconic celebration.

The 107th Indy 500 is set for Sunday, May 28 (green flag at 12:45 p.m. ET) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

10 awesome photos of Marcus Ericsson’s Indy 500 victory milk celebration

Notre Dame’s milk man to return for a 6th season

You know him for his nickname but not for what he does and that’s a good thing. It’s also good he’s coming back.

If you’re a casual Notre Dame football fan you may have heard the name [autotag]Michael Vinson[/autotag] before but upon hearing it now, you may not remember why.  That’s a very good thing for him and for Notre Dame’s special teams unit.

Why?

Because Vinson, as some of you are already aware, is Notre Dame’s long snapper and a fine one at that.  More commonly known as “Milk”, Vinson was a semi-finalist for The Patrick Mannelly Award (which does tremendous work in the city of Chicago annually).  If you don’t know his name it’s likely because he does his job and isn’t in the headlines for his errors.

Notre Dame’s special teams received some pleasant news Friday as Vinson, Milk, announced he’ll be back for his sixth and final year of eligibility in 2023.

Hopefully, next year will be another year where he again remains a relative unknown for all of the right reasons.

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Jimmie Johnson reveals his milk choice, should he win his first Indy 500

The seven-time NASCAR champ turned IndyCar driver is keeping it traditional.

NASCAR turned IndyCar Series driver Jimmie Johnson is getting a new taste of Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the next few weeks. The seven-time NASCAR champ has won four stock car races on the iconic 2.5-mile oval, but now, he’s preparing for his first Indianapolis 500 — and the abundant traditions that go along with it.

One of the most famous of the many Indy 500 traditions is the race winner’s celebratory milk bath — a ritual that dates back to the 19030s. After the race, the winner is handed a bottle of milk and usually takes a few sips before dumping it on themselves and, inadvertently, splashing everyone standing close enough.

But it’s not just any bottle of milk. The American Dairy Association Indiana is in charge of the milk, and it polls drivers in advance to learn their milk preferences. And while we’ll likely have to wait a little longer to know every driver’s milk choice, Johnson shared his Thursday.

The choices are simple — whole milk, two percent or skim — and Indy 500 rookie Johnson is going with whole, should he win his first start. Whole milk is often the most popular choice.

Presumably wanting to be safe than sorry, Johnson also noted he wants the milk cold, which shouldn’t be an issue.

The so-called “milk people” from the American Dairy Association Indiana are often handcuffed to a chilled cooler with three bottles — one for each option — inside. When the race is over, they consult the milk survey and deliver the winner’s preferred bottle.

Curious about how this tradition began? Allow Indianapolis Motor Speedway to explain:

“Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer regularly drank buttermilk to refresh himself on a hot day and happened to drink some in Victory Lane as a matter of habit after winning the 1936 race. An executive with what was then the Milk Foundation was so elated when he saw the moment captured in a photograph in the sports section of his newspaper the following morning that he vowed to make sure it would be repeated in coming years. There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since.”

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Giannis Antetokoumpo explained how dunking Oreos in milk became an “every night snack” for him and it was hilarious

Here’s how Giannis discovered Oreos and milk as a combination.

Giannis Antetokounmpo just discovered that he could dunk his Oreo cookies in milk and, obviously, he loves it.

He loves it so much, in fact, that it is now a certified bedtime snack for the NBA champion. That feels like a pretty wild snack to eat before bed, but hey. Who am I to judge?

Anyway, he was asked about his newfound love during a press conference and whether it was going to be on his Thanksgiving menu. That’s a pretty simple question and, really, a quick yes or no.

But his response took two minutes.

And he explained exactly how he discovered his newfound love. The story was the best. While shooting a commercial about Oreos, he was asked by one of the kids if he had Oreos before. He said, yes, of course.

But then he was asked if he’d dunked them in milk before. And his life completely changed after that.

“I took the Oreos, and I threw it in the milk. He was like ‘no, just dunk it, like put it in’…I grab a spoon and took the first one. I was like ‘What the hell? No freaking way.’ He said ‘do you like them?’ I said ‘bro, this is amazing.” 

BOOM. Life changed. He went as far as calling the Oreos an “every night snack” for him from now on. Sounds delicious.

I’m sure his dentist probably isn’t excited about that, though.

Watch our sneaker unboxing series, Special Delivery

Notre Dame long-snapper announces new NIL deal

What is your go-to milk choice?

There have been so many players across the college sports landscape that have gotten deals from different businesses to endorse products and make some money this season.  It’s long overdue and while some are especially cashing in, it’s hard for me to believe many are making life changing money.

Although during my college years I would have considered even an extra 25 bucks a week to be life changing.

Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson is the latest Fighting Irish football player to announce an endorsement as he did so with American Dairy Association Indiana on Friday.  It’s a match made in heaven for a player that goes by the nickname “Milk“.

Vinson shared the following tweet to make the announcement:

Congratulations on the deal and I hope they supply your living quarters with all of the milk it can possibly drink.

Next time though it might be a good idea to throw a pair of shoes on before posing for the picture!

Related:

Notre Dame-Virginia: Staff Predictions

Detailing Notre Dame’s map to a CFP appearance

ESPN FPI projects Notre Dame’s final three games of 2021

Notre Dame-Virginia: Seven prop bets for Saturday night

Notre Dame’s strength of wins among very best in nation

2021 Indy 500: Every driver’s choice of celebratory milk

Whole, two percent or skim?

The Indianapolis 500, one of the biggest motor sports events in the world, is all about tradition. From the process of qualifying for the race to the grand parade with drivers ahead of the race to the pre-race festivities, it’s an extravagant event.

But no Indy 500 tradition stands out quite like the winning driver celebrating victory with an ice-cold bottle of milk.

Drivers often take a first sip or two before dousing themselves (and anyone in their vicinity) with the whole bottle. It might not be your first drink of choice on a hot day after a 500-mile race around Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but drivers love it.

Plus, it’s tradition.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

And drivers actually get to select their milk preference in advance. The American Dairy Association Indiana is in charge of delivering the milk to the winning driver, and polls the competitors in advance so the “milk people” know what bottle to bring out when the race is over.

Drivers’ have their choice of whole milk, two percent or fat-free. Here’s what the drivers selected for milk for the 2021 Indy 500:

As usual, whole milk is the most popular choice among drivers — although, Juan Pablo Montoya would prefer chocolate. And despite the three real choices, someone always wants buttermilk, in true Indy 500 tradition, and this year, that’s what Ed Carpenter and Simona de Silvestro wrote in.

The buttermilk tradition dates back to the 1936 Indy 500, as Indianapolis Motor Speedway explains:

“Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer regularly drank buttermilk to refresh himself on a hot day and happened to drink some in Victory Lane as a matter of habit after winning the 1936 race. An executive with what was then the Milk Foundation was so elated when he saw the moment captured in a photograph in the sports section of his newspaper the following morning that he vowed to make sure it would be repeated in coming years. There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since.”

Buttermilk is no longer an option, so after Sunday’s Indy 500, the designated “milk people” from the American Dairy Association Indiana will pull one of three bottles — one for each milk option — from a chilled cooler, which one of the milk people is often handcuffed to.

And they deliver it to the winning driver for the iconic celebration.

The 105th running of the Indy 500 is Sunday, May 30 at 12:45 p.m. ET on NBC.

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