The tradition involves the Indianapolis 500 winner being presented with a bottle of milk immediately after the race. This practice has become deeply ingrained in the race’s culture, serving as a visual and symbolic conclusion to the event.
The tradition started in 1936 when Louis Meyer, upon winning the race, requested a glass of buttermilk. This simple act was captured by a photographer, and a local milk company recognized the publicity potential. Subsequently, milk became an official part of the winner’s celebration. It evolved to become a pre-race tradition where drivers indicate their milk preference, ensuring the winning driver receives their desired type of milk.
