Indy 500 milk tradition, explained: Why does the Indianapolis 500 winner drink milk?

Each sport has its quirky traditions. Hockey gamers develop beard within the postseason, baseball gamers do not discuss a pitcher when he is good, and Indy 500 victors drink milk within the Winner’s Circle.

The Indy 500 is chock filled with custom, however just one driver will get to take part in getting an entire bottle of chilled milk successfully thrown of their face.

The follow has topped off each race since 1956, however its roots really run deeper. The photographs are iconic, and this yr, another person will get to make the all-important alternative: complete, 2 p.c, or skim?

Why does the Indianapolis 500 winner drink milk?

Like every nice story, this one has escalation. Louis Meyer started the hallowed custom of milk ingesting after his second Indy 500 win in 1933. He sipped from a glass of milk, saying his mom had instructed him a glass of buttermilk was the perfect factor to drink on a sizzling day.

MORE: Indy 500 qualifying outcomes: Pole, beginning lineup for 2022 race at Indianapolis

After his third win in 1936, Meyer deserted all sense of decorum. He took a swig of milk straight from the bottle, seemingly disgusting everybody there reasonably than inspiring awe. A photographer snapped an image of Meyer ingesting mentioned milk, and it spawned a practice like no different.

It wasn’t till 1956, nonetheless, that the follow really took maintain. Drivers now do it yearly, however between 1946 and 1955 there was a hiatus. Immediately, each driver is polled earlier than the race on their desire, they usually can select from amongst complete, 2 p.c, and skim milk.

Why did Emmerson Fittipaldi drink orange juice?

One driver determined to get cute with the custom, and as George Bluth Sr. would say, it might have resulted in some mild treason.

Emmerson Fittipaldi, who owns an orange grove, drank orange juice within the winner’s circle in 1993 earlier than rapidly chasing it with the normal milk. Not for nothing, however that may be a disgusting mixture.

Fittipaldi was booed for his crimes, however he bought the final snort. He was honored by the American Dairy Affiliation of Indiana final yr. Let nobody accuse our Huge Milk overlords of not having a way a humor.

Can drivers drink buttermilk?

The true query right here is: Do drivers need to drink buttermilk? Buttermilk is not made the identical approach it as soon as was. It now has a bitter style to it that isn’t significantly palatable because it has turn into mass-produced.

In response to the Indy Star, drivers must show their mettle earlier than having buttermilk.

“(If) we see a driver drink a full glass of buttermilk earlier than the race,” American Dairy Affiliation of Indiana’s Brooke Williams mentioned to the Star, “we’ll give them some particular (consideration). For now, we’re conserving it to the three choices (of complete, 2 p.c, or skim).”

What milk did drivers choose for 2022?

Drivers’ picks are in for 2022. Here is what each driver could be ingesting within the winner’s circle, ought to they win the race (together with their further feedback in parentheses).

Driver remark tiers

Adorably well mannered: Jimmie Johnson

Pink powder?: Helio Castroneves

Agency, however respectful: Alex Palau, Devlin DeFrancesco, Kyle Kirkwood, Dalton Kellett, Colton Herta, Santino Ferucci

Bordering on impolite: Scott McLaughlin

Buttermilk: Felix Rosenqvist, Ed Carpenter

Weirdly passive aggressive: Graham Rahal

Cheeky: Marco Andretti

Mendacity about not having a desire: Juan Pablo Montoya

Indy 500 winners since 2010