Special edition milk pints feature Indy 500 winners

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy 500 has no problem milking one of the race’s most storied traditions.

More than 13,000 retailers in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin are selling special race-themed pints of milk.

The 16 oz. containers feature five drivers who’ve won “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Here’s the roster:

• Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024): 2% reduced-fat milk
• Will Power (2018): Premium chocolate milk
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• Takuma Sato (2017, 2020): Whole vitamin D milk
• Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021): 1% low-fat chocolate milk
• Marcus Ericsson (2022): Premium strawberry milk

The packaging is a collaboration involving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, American Dairy Association Indiana and Prairie Farms Dairy.

Fans can expect to find the special edition bottles for a six-week distribution period that starts this week. You’ll find each one in the photo gallery below:

Approximately 80 million half-pint cartons featuring a “Winners Drink Milk” graphic will be distributed to schools across the eight states mentioned above.

“Drinking the milk” is one of the Indy 500’s most cherished traditions, with the victor taking a sip and dousing himself after winning the race.

The tradition dates back to 1936, as the story goes, when Louis Meyer, a big fan of buttermilk, asked for a glass after winning his third Indy 500. A dairy industry executive saw newsreel footage of the iconic moment and saw an opportunity for the promotion of a lifetime that’s been a part of the race for decades..

The days of drinking buttermilk are long gone, but all drivers are asked to submit their milk preference before the race. They can choose between whole milk, 2% reduced fat milk or skim milk. Some drivers still request buttermilk in Meyer’s honor while others ask for chocolate.

Whole milk is the most popular choice.

The 109^th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25.