Indy 500 Winners Celebrate with Milk
**Secret Revealed**
Forget champagne this Sunday, one of the most popular car races in the world will award the winner an unusual prize: milk.
This Indianapolis 500 tradition was inspired by Louis Meyer. After winning his second Indy in 1933, he requested a glass of buttermilk. He requested another glass after his third win in 1936, but was given a bottle instead.
A photographer captured Meyer holding up three fingers, signifying his third win, and holding his glass of milk in the other hand. A dairy executive saw the photo and realized the marketing potential by promising the winner of future races a bottle of milk.
The tradition has persisted to this day, apart from 1947 to 1955 and two other exceptions when drivers declined to drink the milk. Most notably, in 1993, Emerson Fittipaldi drank orange juice instead of milk. He owned orange groves in his native Brazil and wanted to promote the citrus industry. The self promotion and break from tradition earned criticism from fans and he was booed many times after that event.
Although Meyer started the tradition with buttermilk, that’s not an official option — the winner can choose between skim, 2% or whole milk. However, the winner can buy a lot of buttermilk with the cash prize, estimated around $1.5 million.
Chad Upton is the editor-in-chief of Broken Secrets and an official Yahoo Answers contributor.
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Because they like to support an industry that slaughters billions of cows every year. Yes the Milk industry purposely keeps female cows so they will produce milk. And when that cow gives birth that baby calf is slaughtered and turned into veal.
Drink almond milk. It’s better, tastes better, more nutritious, and it doesn’t contain puss (like Federal guidelines allow).
well at one of the races the winner did not drink . so he asked if he could have a glass of cold milk. and from then on they have given the winner milk.
keys fisher
Milk does seem a little silly in my opinion. Some type of alochol does seem to fit better, but oh well. Milk is pretty innocent.
(Personally, I’d love to have some water the most.)
i love that its interesting
That’s too bad about Emerson Fittipaldi. Hell, I don’t drink cow’s milk at all.
And if you think about it, why should he be booed for self-promotion? The whole reason they’re drinking milk to begin with is because of some dairy exec.
Alcoholics can not drink champagne & there are a lot of people who fit into this catogory. Drinking & driving don’t mix.
I’d ask for soy milk.
Personally, milk sounds disgusting when you think about how farmers pump hormones into the cows that make them think they’re pregnant, and then I put those hormones into my developing female body.
Also, no other animal on the planet drinks the breast milk of another specie, and into adulthood.
I don’t see why they would get so mad about someone wanting to support their country, and being proud of where they are from. I mean, if someone wants to drink their own piss, I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t let them. Unless you are willing to race them for it. Go get your crappy car out of the parking lot, and let’s see the outcome of that.
I remember Emerson refusing the milk. I’m STILL a Fittipaldi fan to this day. If I were fortunate enough, and skilled enough, to win the Indy 500, the Dairy Industry would have to be willing to pay Big Bucks to get me to take a swig of that crap.
When Apple fell Newton’s heart told him something and When the winner wanted a glass of milk the observers got some point to ponder and utilize.
Some requirements are body’s need and the milk gives enough energy and can compensate for the entire exhaution within moments.
others can go on gussing why,what etc.
Milk or orange juice or water it is the body’s requirements only.It is silly to comment on nature.
It appears mike 23/5/11 is woefully ignorant of both the dairy industry and that of farming veal as a meat.
interesting.
Don’t we all have more important issues to deal with than whether a race car driver drinks milk or not?
Personally, I couldn’t give a rats @ss what the guy drinks. Sorry.
Well, they can have whatever they want.
MILK: The champagne of the famer type and that’s where the bulk of the NASCAR base comes from. I think it’s a very personal salute to them and a good ole fashion American product promoting gesture. Good for everyone involved, i’m sure.
Side Note: They are athletes and role models and really shouldn’t be using alchol to celebrate – particularly when automobiles are involved. That last part may have been all the answer you needed.
To Mike A) NASCAR and IRL are two different Leagues and sports(saying they are the same is like saying the NFL and CFL and Arena League are all the same). B) NASCAR originated from MOONSHINE RUNNERS put on tracks, so Alcohol would be more appropriate to their sport.
It’s a fun tradition, we dont drink cow’s milk in our household but it’s better than a huge soft drink!
BTW it is Indy 500 overkill in Indy each May!
I’m allergic to milk
I love orange juice though<3
If someone wants to drink orange juice, why not Florida orange juice? It is the best.
myself don’t see why they would get so mad about someone wanting to support their country, and being proud of where they are from. I mean, if someone wants to drink their own piss, I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t let them. Unless you are willing to race them for it. Go get your crappy car out of the parking lot, and let’s see the outcome of that.and enjoy with the outcomes. OK.
So what if you were lactose intolerant? What would be the driver’s next best option?
it is really so funny.i Don,t thought any company are interested it .
I think they cry over spilled milk and then laugh cause they be commin in first place and winning the thing. I hate milk lolololol
I think they should change to Snapple!
Just kidding…
SO…who was the OTHER guy who didn’t want milk and WHAT did he pick instead of milk?
Veal is yummy! Milk is yummy too! OJ is awesome if it is from real oranges, no matter what state it comes from.
MOOOOOOOO!
milk does your body good lol
bcos there not aloud when there still go home driving
that is WRONG! they used to celebrate with a bottle of champagne and then to be politicaly correct switched to milk. Dont believe me? look at pics all through the 60s and 70s and see for yourself!
They drink the milk symbolically and then do the champagne in the pits. They’re in the midwest in farm country. I like the milk as a great tradition for all of the little kids who watch ir. Every kid in Indianapolis has a toy race car and loves the 500 for the whole month of May. It is crazy and fun and the sport that follows the basketball season since baseball isn’t always so great there and it’s a long time until football in the Fall.
Because they driving
You have it, the right idea is about nutrition. I grew up drinking orange juice. An orange each day will keep the Doctor away.
milk rox!
I really love MILK its totally cool
Us hoosiers have a thing for traditions I guess. My guess is since we’re known for farming, milk seemed like a better fit.
Because all the “do gooders” thought it was sinfull to be drinking beer or Jack’s. Or maybe too many sponsors. Watch how many times he changes “hats”
That’s disgusting. Drinking puss from a cow and killing cows. Only in a redneck sport.
My dad is a milkman and he does it all the time when my brother wins at rugby it is actuallty really cool when you watch all the white sprays everywhere you should try it.
my father told me they used to celebrate with champagne, but now we use milk because EVERYONE IS SO FRIGGIN SENSITIVE. milk is good for you dont get me wrong… but god, we used to do it with champagne. WHAT A SENSITIVE PATHETIC UGLY WORLD we live in!!!
Just use trophy girls that are lactating and let the winners squeeze their own milk. Hey just a thought!
Muahaha! Now I shall finally outsmart my NASCAR addict uncle!
Milk is very ideal food
I respect Emerson Fittipaldi, twenty years ago he was criticised. Today we woudl interpret such an action as a sign of great patriotism.
It’s up to the culture of the host nation. For example at the Bahrain GP the podium winners are all given alcohol-free champagne.
Some stupid traditions.
I just feel sorry again and again for all pets and animals on this planet.
Celebrate and cheer up with WATER.
Tony George owned a dairy farm.
Milk is America’s growing tradition to good health and invokes to the adolescents the value of keeping strong bones and good teeth for that pearly white smile.
If this person would have listened to the news, they actually explained the “milk” story then.
Why milk? Does the whole concept of prohibition ring a bell. Although Prohibition was repealed on December 5, 1933. It’s simple if you look at history to realize that at one time in American History: Alcohol was prohibited. So it was either Milk or Water.
All this garbage over this stupid shit is insane. Do you realize how ignorant some of you sound talkling about drinks? Drink whatever the hell you want….there….now everyones happy!
Well its better than beer.
I’m helping the environment… I’m eating the cow.
Really, getting panties in a bunch over this? They shoot champagne or whatever, but then all you see is a drink of Coke/Vitamin Water/whatever at NASCAR races. It’s all marketing.
I’ve got a lot more issue with the “I’m going to Disney World!” that they do w/ the Super Bowl.
Personally, I like that they use milk. I’d rather see the promotion of a good cold glass of milk than alcohol in a DRIVING event. I’d love if they used certified organic and got a good slow pasteurized thick whole milk.
that’s what i call healthy competition
@ Milk Haters – Get a life!!! YEs they slaughter baby cows for veal, but people buy ti and eat it. We’re at the top of the food chain, accept it.
got this from googleing the question…
“It all started in 1933. After Louis Meyer won his second Indianapolis 500, he requested a cold bottle of buttermilk to quench his thirst. The Yonkers, NY native had grown up drinking the beverage and favored it throughout his racing days.
Three years later, Meyer won his third title and, again, he requested a cold glass of buttermilk to celebrate. This time, a newspaper photographer snapped a photo of Meyer taking a swig from the bottle while holding up three fingers, one to represent each of his Indy victories. The shot would appear the next day in a number of newspapers.
As legend has it, a local dairy executive saw the photo and, realizing a great marketing opportunity, vowed that milk would be given to the winner the following year. (They had thought Meyer was drinking regular milk, not buttermilk.) Except for a stretch from 1947 to 1955, milk has been presented at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ever since.”
You can read the full article at http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Indy-mystery-Why-do-Indianapolis-500-winners-dr?urn=nascar-165450
“Its so hot outside. Argh! Milk was a bad choice.” – Ron Burgundy