INDIANAPOLIS — “Winners Drink Milk” is considered one of the most beloved phrases and traditions in Indiana and all of sports.

The tradition started at the Indianapolis 500 by driver Louis Meyer simply requesting buttermilk to quench his thirst after the 1936 race. The Drink of Milk has since evolved from a thirst satisfying beverage to a ceremonial hand-off with an Indiana dairy farmer giving the iconic, glass bottle of milk to the winner with over 250,000 people watching in-person and more worldwide.

This year, Helio Castroneves earned an historic fourth win at the Indianapolis 500. Castroneves selected 2% milk during the driver poll, but thought ahead to bring his own strawberry powder to match with his pink car and team uniform.

After taking the traditional drink of white milk, he added the strawberry flavor to his winning bottle. American Dairy Association Indiana is excited about the conversations this has generated around fluid milk innovation and flavored milk in schools, hopefully bringing excitement to lunchrooms across the nation.

— American Dairy Association Indiana

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