A fresh collaboration is bringing a taste of the Indy 500 straight to grocery shelves. Prairie Farms, in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the American Dairy Association Indiana, has launched a commemorative line of milk pints featuring past Indy 500 champions.
Racing Legends on Your Milk Carton
For a limited six-week period, fans across multiple states will find special-edition Prairie Farms milk pints adorned with the faces of legendary Indy 500 winners. Each type of milk corresponds to a different driver, offering a unique collectible element to everyday dairy purchases.
Here’s a breakdown of the featured winners and their respective milk types:
- Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024 winner) – 2% reduced-fat milk
- Takuma Sato (2017, 2020 winner) – Whole vitamin D milk
- Will Power (2018 winner) – Chocolate milk
- Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021 winner) – 1% low-fat chocolate milk
- Marcus Ericsson (2022 winner) – Strawberry milk
The promotion isn’t just limited to pints. Around 80 million half-pint cartons featuring the same theme will be distributed to schools as part of the “Winners Drink Milk” campaign.
A Tradition Dating Back to 1936
The connection between milk and the Indy 500 isn’t new. The tradition dates back nearly 90 years when three-time Indy 500 winner Louis Meyer famously requested a bottle of buttermilk after his 1936 victory. The moment caught the attention of a dairy industry executive, leading to the now-iconic ritual of milk being presented to the race winner in Victory Lane.
J. Douglas Boles, president of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, emphasized the importance of keeping this tradition alive.
“At IMS, we know winners drink milk. These milk pints and cartons are another way our fans can be part of the Race Day excitement and celebrate like an Indy 500 champion.”
Jenni Browning, CEO of the American Dairy Association Indiana, highlighted the significance of the milk toast.
“Drinking the coveted bottle of ice-cold milk on Victory Podium isn’t just a celebration – it’s a tribute to dairy farmers and more than a century of racing history.”
Where and When to Find the Commemorative Pints
Starting this week, the limited-edition pints will be available in stores across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The distribution window will remain open for six weeks, giving fans ample time to grab their favorite driver’s milk before they disappear from shelves.
For school children, the half-pint cartons will be a daily reminder of the race’s legacy as they enjoy their lunchtime milk.
What Milk Do Indy 500 Winners Prefer?
Each year, all 33 competing drivers in the Indianapolis 500 submit their preferred milk choice to the American Dairy Association Indiana ahead of the race. The options include:
| Milk Type | Popularity Among Drivers |
|---|---|
| Whole Milk | Most Preferred |
| 2% Reduced Fat | Moderately Preferred |
| Skim Milk | Least Preferred |
Whole milk remains the top choice among drivers, reinforcing its place as the go-to celebratory drink in Victory Lane.
Countdown to the Indy 500
With the Indianapolis 500 set for May 25, excitement is already brewing among racing fans. Whether you’re picking up a commemorative milk pint or tuning in on race day, the tradition of drinking milk as a symbol of victory continues to thrive.
