Louis Meyer’s spontaneous buttermilk sip in 1936 sparked a tradition that transformed into the Indianapolis 500’s most iconic victory ritual.
At a Glance
- Louis Meyer initiated the milk-drinking tradition at the Indy 500 in 1936 with a bottle of buttermilk.
- The practice was paused from 1947 to 1955 but reinstated in 1956 due to dairy industry support.
- Indiana dairy farmers have presented the milk to winners since 2005, symbolizing local pride.
- Drivers now select their preferred milk type—whole, 2%, or skim—before the race.
- The tradition underscores the deep connection between the race and Indiana’s dairy heritage.
The Origins of a Unique Celebration
In 1936, after winning his third Indianapolis 500, Louis Meyer was photographed sipping buttermilk in Victory Lane. Meyer, who grew up in Yonkers, New York, drank buttermilk regularly—especially on hot days—as a refreshing tradition passed down from his mother. The photo captured the attention of a dairy industry executive, who saw a golden promotional opportunity. Thus began one of the most cherished customs in motorsport, as chronicled by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
From 1947 to 1955, milk briefly vanished from the podium and was replaced by water, dubbed “Water from Wilbur” after driver Wilbur Shaw. However, in 1956, the American Dairy Association revived the tradition, offering a cash bonus to the winner who drank milk in the celebration. The practice stuck, and milk has graced the podium ever since, according to Britannica.
A Symbol of Indiana’s Dairy Heritage
Since 2005, Indiana dairy farmers have played a central role in the milk presentation ceremony. Each year, two local farmers are selected as “Milk People” to hand the beverage to the winning driver—a symbolic gesture connecting Indiana’s agricultural legacy with one of its most prestigious events, as explained by Winners Drink Milk.
Drivers are polled before the race to specify their milk preference—whole, 2%, or skim. Accommodations are made for dietary restrictions, but chocolate milk remains notably absent from the winner’s circle, as no driver who has chosen it has yet won the race, notes Fox Sports.
Watch a report: The story behind the milk tradition at the Indy 500.
Enduring Legacy and Modern Celebrations
The Indy 500 milk tradition has evolved from a personal refreshment into a cultural hallmark. Each Memorial Day weekend, viewers await not just the checkered flag, but the triumphant milk toast—a symbol of grit, tradition, and Hoosier pride. Fans flood social media with tributes and reactions, and dairy farmers take a well-earned moment in the national spotlight.
As the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 approaches on May 25, the simple act of sipping milk will again unite past and present, farm and track, in a tradition that began with buttermilk and became legend.
