Why does the Indy 500 winner drink milk? History behind racing tradition
· Yahoo Sports
The world of auto racing is full of odd traditions and superstitions that would make non-racing fans scratch their head. Between forbidding shelled peanuts at many tracks, the unlucky color green, and refusal to shave on race days, among many others, drinking milk has become an institution at the Indy 500.
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The premier event of the IndyCar Series is no stranger to their own traditions, with the winner drinking a glass of milk following their victory.
Drivers have been doing this for nearly a century. But why? Milk doesn't seem like something most adults would choose to celebrate a momentous occasion, right?
Well, as expected, it all comes down to tradition.
Why do drivers drink milk after winning the Indy 500?
Although the beginning of the tradition is usually marked as 1936, when Louis Meyer won his third Indianapolis 500 and was photographed drinking the milk, he actually did the same act earlier, in 1933, after winning his second. However, that wasn't photographed.
After the photograph following the 1936 win gained traction, dairy executives tied to the race decided to supply milk to future winners for the marketing potential.
Did the tradition ever stop?
Briefly.
From 1947 to 1954, two-time Indy 500 winner Wilbur Shaw introduced the "Water from Wilbur" ceremony, which became the new tradition. However, after Shaw died in 1954, dairy executives revived the tradition, even offering drivers monetary bonuses for drinking the milk on Victory Lane.
What do drivers get for drinking the milk?
Today, drivers who drink milk following their win are rewarded $10,000 from the American Dairy Association of Indiana. Drivers are allowed to choose their preference of milk beforehand – either whole milk, 2% milk or skim milk – with the vast majority preferring whole milk.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Indy 500 winner drink milk in victory lane at Indianapolis?