The Fastest Rookie program introduces new Indianapolis 500 drivers to the tradition of drinking milk in Victory Circle.
The American Dairy Association of Indiana has sponsored the Fastest Rookie award since its inception in 1975.
Brooke Williams is the director of communications with the American Dairy Association of Indiana.
“I think for a lot of these rookie drivers they know that milk is a part of the Indy 500, but like consumers they don’t know think about where that milk comes from,” she says. “For them to come here to meet a lot of people in the dairy community it really just puts it all together for them.”
The tradition of drinking milk as a post-race celebration began in 1933.
Colton Herta of California is this year’s fastest rookie.
“Milk is the most essential part of this race and with so much tradition it does mean a lot that the American Dairy Association of Indiana is still here,” he says.
He says he would choose whole milk if he were to win the Indianapolis 500.
Andrew Kuehnert is this year’s Indianapolis 500 Milk Man.
“It’s a true honor just being a dairy farmer and being able to represent all the dairy farms not only across the state of Indiana, but the country and the world,” he says. “To have a voice and to be able to relay to people what dairy farming means to every dairy farmer is an absolute honor and I cannot wait to go down in history as the 103rd Indianapolis 500 Milk Man.”
Kuehnert, a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Fort Wayne, says it’s incredible to be part of the long-running tradition.
--Brownfield AgNews