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.
Each year, two Indiana dairy farmers carry out the “Winners Drink Milk” tradition in the Victory Circle of the Indianapolis 500. The dairy farmers represent their colleagues’ hard and dedicated work to bring the nutritious drink to so many. A ‘Rookie’ is selected each year, who spends the first year “training,” and delivers bottles of milk to the winning Chief Mechanic and the winning Team Owner. The following year the Rookie becomes the official Milk Person and is given the honor of handing the ice-cold bottle of milk to the winning driver of the Indy 500.
The drivers are asked for their milk preferences before the race: fat-free, 2% or whole milk. Whole milk is the most popular choice by the drivers.
Your 2023 Indy 500 Milk People
In 2023, Kerry Estes will serve as the Milk Person. Kerry will present this year’s winning driver with a bottle of ice cold milk. Watch for Kerry and Rookie Milk Person Alex Neuenschwander on race day in Victory Circle.
Kerry Estes is a first-generation dairy farmer from just southeast of Indianapolis. He and his wife Christiana began farming in 2005 after deciding they wanted to work more closely with their four children, and dairy farming provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. Their cows graze in the surrounding pastures during part of the year, and have waterbeds to lounge in when they feel like it. Each family member has a different specialty on the farm, making it a true family business. Kerry also coaches football in the local school system, bringing his sense of teamwork from the farm to the field.
Alex Neuenschwander is a fourth generation dairy farmer and is the on site farm manager at Neu-Hope Dairy in Bluffton, Indiana. He has a passion for improving herd genetics to meet market demands. He resides near the farm with his wife, Shauna, and three boys. In his [limited] spare time, Alex is an avid IU Hoosiers fan and enjoys following the team!
Be the first to comment