Drinking milk at Indy

When I was listening to RR radio on Tuesday night one of the guys mentioned a driver at the Indy 500 who didn't drink the milk which is a great tradition. That happened in 1993 when Emerson Fittapaldi broke with tradition and drank orange juice instead. He did drink some milk later, but made sure the citrus industry was first and foremost. You see, Emmo is an orange grower not a dairy farmer. This break from tradition caused lots of booing and he never did live it down. He tried to explain himself and apologize, but fans and the Dairy Council never forgot. Even at a public drivers meeting in 2008 he was booed being the pace car driver. Fans have long memories when traditions are broken, especially at Indy.

The first driver to drink milk in Victory Lane at Indianapolis was Louie Meyer in 1936. He usually drank homemade buttermilk after a race to refresh himself, win or lose. Drinking milk in Victory Lane was kinda hit and miss until 1956 when it was mandatory.

1936 was a year of many firsts at Indianapolis. Louie Meyer was the first 3 time winner. It was the first time the Borg Warner trophy sat in Victory Lane. The pace car was awarded to the winner for the first time.

I know this is open wheel stuff, but I thought I'd share it with you.

Pete

updated by @pete-banchoff: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Robbie, that has to be the best tasting drink in all of motorsports...in Victory Lane at Indianapolis. Fittapaldi really blew it, do you remember when he won his first 500 with Pat Patrick when he said that he dreamed about this since he was a little boy and cried a river? Then he disrespects the Indy 500 and the tradition of drinking milk after his third win? He said he always celebrated a victory with orange juice, but the first 2 wins were milk!! He was making a statement with the juice and it bit him. This is not just another race, Emmo.