As engines fire up and fans pour into Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, one of racing’s most beloved traditions is already underway: the drivers’ annual milk selections.
Each year ahead of race day, the drivers declare their milk of choice should they find themselves in the victory lane. The options are simple, whole, 2% or fat-free, but the ritual is anything but ordinary. This week, the official list was revealed, confirming who prefers what if they earn a celebratory swig after 500 miles of open-wheel racing.
The milk tradition dates back to 1936, when three-time Indy 500 winner Louis Meyer requested a glass of buttermilk to cool down after his victory. A dairy industry executive saw the moment and turned it into an annual custom. Since then, with the exception of a brief hiatus in the 1940s and early 1950s, the milk-in-victory-lane celebration has become a signature moment of the race and a source of pride for dairy farmers across the country.
Whole milk remains the top choice among drivers. Still, a few opt for 2%, while fat-free milk continues to be the least requested. No matter the preference, one thing is certain: When the checkered flag waves and the winner steps out of the car, that iconic bottle of milk will be waiting — cold, refreshing and steeped in tradition.
The 109th Indianapolis 500 gets underway Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET, airing live on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
