Farm Progress America, May 28, 2024

The winner of the Indianapolis 500 race gets to take part in a different sporting tradition.

The winner gets an ice cold cup of milk and then the milk gets poured on them and the crew of the winning car.

The tradition dates back to 1936.

Donald Davidson says the winner was told that Buttermilk would refresh them after the race.

The tradition started and a few years were skipped in the 1940's. But it became a tradition in the 1950's.

Then the Dairy Association also gave $300 to the winner and $50 to the chief mechanic.

Now, before the race begins, the race teams are asked what their preferences are from whole milk to 2 percent to skim milk.

The, the Indiana Dairy Association keeps the milk on ice during the race and provides the winner their preference when it's over.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .