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The 2013 Victory Circle Milkmen

Every year since 1956 the winner of the Indy 500 has taken a big drink of milk from a glass bottle inside Victory Circle

While it became a permanent part of the post-race celebration 58 years ago, it actually began many years before that.  Indiana dairy farmer and this year’s Milk Man Duane Hill says, “It started back in 1933 when Louis Meyer, after winning his second race, asked for a glass of buttermilk.  That’s when the tradition really got started.”

Hill’s job on race day – is to present the winner of the Indy 500 with that storied bottle of milk.  “I’m responsible for the milk overnight,” he says.  “I have to keep it on ice the night before and on race day and then it’s my job to get it to Victory Circle.”

AUDIO: Duane Hill, Indy 500 Milk Man (2:47mp3)

Ken Hoeing of Rushville, Ind. is this year’s “Rookie” Milk Man.  He says it just makes sense for the Winners to Drink Milk.  “The combination of the refreshing glass of milk in the winning circle with the winning driver,” he says, “is a natural fit.”

AUDIO: Ken Hoeing, Indy 500 Milk Man (1:20mp3)

While Louis Meyer may have chosen buttermilk when he took that first swig nearly 80 years ago – today’s drivers have a choice of Whole, 2%, or Skim. 

And in case you were wondering – the most popular selection of milk by the drivers is 2%.