Winners Drink Milk at the Indy 500

By Mary of Winners Drink Milk

In my head right now I’m hearing “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, except for all the references to activities associated with the winter holidays.  But much like Christmas, there is a lot of anticipation, and preparations are being made for family and friends to visit for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500.

   

It didn’t use to be this way.  Growing up in southern Illinois, Dad always had the race on TV, so I was well aware of it.  Likewise, Dad often had golf on TV, but that didn’t turn me into a golfer.  However, moving to Indianapolis within five miles of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a step in the right direction.  Then working for the American Dairy Association of Indiana really moved the needle!  It has really been an incredible experience being involved, even slightly, with the tradition of the Drink of Milk in Victory Circle. 

This tradition began with a simple request.When Louis Meyer, the first three-time winner, won his second Indy 500 in 1933, he asked for a cold glass of buttermilk to quench his thirst. Three years later, Louis repeated the win and was photographed drinking his buttermilk. For the next two decades, the Milk Foundation presented milk to race winners off and on. But in 1956, Tony Hulman made the Bottle of Milk a permanent part of the Victory Lane (now Circle) celebration.

Writer Pete McEntegart’s “The 10 Spot” on si.com -the Sports Illustrated web site – declared the Indy 500 to be the “Sports World’s Coolest Prize”. That’s some tradition, isn’t it?

Did you know that there are others in Victory Circle who also get a bottle of milk?  Not only is the winning driver handed a bottle of milk; the winning team owner and the winning chief mechanic are also recipients of their own commemorative bottles.  And who is handing out those bottles?  Two Indiana dairy farmers! 

A new board member from Milk Promotion Services of Indiana (the parent company of the Dairy & Nutrition Council and the American Dairy Association of Indiana) is chosen each year by his/her peers to represent all of Indian’s dairy farmers in Victory Circle. The first year, the board member serves as the “rookie milkman” and the second year as the “veteran”. It’s an honor that is taken quite seriously.  The milkmen don’t just show up on race day and that’s that. No, there is a fair amount of work that goes on before the big day. Media training, interviews, and bottle hand-off practice, to name a few. This is not something that’s generally a part of life on a dairy farm!

   

So this year when you watch the Victory Circle activities, look for the two men in cow-spotted hats.  You’ll see that, in fact, Winners Drink Milk!

What To Pack For Race Day

By Michelle Plummer of Winners Drink Milk

Scotch Coolers just won’t do at the track any more….

When I was young, Mom would pack the scotch cooler full of fried chicken (her recipe), potato salad, chips, sweet tea (Mom was from the South) and off we would go for a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!  It is hard to recall which was better the fried chicken or getting out of school for a parental field tripJ.  I do remember having to have a ‘church key’ to open the lid to have a snack.  Mom also always made homemade rice crispy treats to snack on in the bleachers since it way so far away to the car after we had lunch. 

But this is the millennium!  Who carries coolers to the track?  Actually many, so here are your options:  Parking is at a premium if you are inside, so find your location and get comfortable.  It is nice to take breaks, walk back to your car and grab a bite.  If you take lots of ‘stuff’ forget the food and use your arms for the important stuff!  Here are some Must Haves!

• Tickets and Parking pass
• CASH
• Seat cushion or blanket- depending on weather a blanket may be a better choice…
• Camera, flip video, cell phone for backup
• Can coolie to keep beverage drinkable—if the sun shines it gets HOT NOW!
• Ear plugs- so you can hear yourself tell about the race the next day
• Backpack for stuff- aspirin, antacid, sun screen, glasses (2 pairs), change of shoes and wet naps- it is a nice refresher in the heat.

… and if you do decide to bring a COOLER, remember size is restricted to 14”x14”x6”.  Line the parameter with ice bags and fill with goodies to munch (beverages are found easily on the grounds) but string cheese, fruit and pre-packed lunch treats and water.  Like I said, if it gets hot you will want the water, especially when it is time to leave and the crowds are deep….

Regardless of how you go to the track, with an old scotch cooler or a new padded one, with a thermos of ice tea or you purchase your beverage at the Track, rain or shine you will have a great time!

Indy 500 vs. Dairy Farming

By Kimmi Devaney of Winners Drink Milk

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! What better way to celebrate May than with what has been referred to as the greatest spectacle in racing—the Indy 500. May 29^th marks the 100^th anniversary of the first race. For many families, the Indy 500 has been a tradition for generations. Before heading to the race, don’t forget to pack water, sunscreen and a camera to capture all of the festivities. After the race, celebrate like the winners do—with an ice-cold bottle of milk. In addition to being a refreshing treat on a hot day, milk is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to increase calcium and vitamin D consumption.