The drink traditionally handed to the Indianapolis 500 winner in victory lane is milk.
The custom dates to 1936, when winner Louis Meyer asked for buttermilk after the race. Seeing the refreshing drink in photographs, dairy executive Tony Hulman helped turn the moment into a recurring Indianapolis tradition. Milk has since become one of the race’s most recognizable victory symbols.
The tradition is not an absolute rule: drivers may choose whole milk, low-fat milk, or buttermilk, and some winners have selected a different style based on personal preference. The bottle is presented alongside other familiar victory-lane rituals, including the wreath and Borg-Warner Trophy.
A common mix-up is champagne, which is strongly associated with many other motorsport celebrations. At Indianapolis, however, the classic winner’s beverage is milk. The custom also connects the race to Indiana’s agricultural identity and remains a favorite fan tradition.