American Dairy Association Indiana’s Veteran Milk Man Alex Neuenschwander will hand the winning driver of the Indianapolis 500 a cold glass bottle of milk.
The fourth-generation dairy farmer says this is a great way to feature milk in front of millions of race fans.
“As dairy farmers, we work really hard to take good care of our cows,” he said. “Just like the race car drivers, they have a pit crew, we have a pit crew. I mean, just so many things that are we have in common with the race and it’s a really fun tradition.”
Abbie Herr, a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Kendallville, IN is the 2024 Rookie Milk Woman. The rookie delivers bottles to the winning chief mechanic and the winning team owner.
“We’re working doing everything that we love at the dairy farm, but also coming and being able to highlight dairy,” she said.
Herr says she’s excited to represent female dairy farmers alongside her husband Steve and their two daughters.
She tells Brownfield they have been hard at work preparing for race day.
“We will be up bright and early,” she said. “Get the milk ready. Be guarding that cooler and then we’ll be there in Victory Circle ready to hand out the milk to the team owner, the chief mechanic, and that winning driver.”
The tradition began in Victory Circle in 1936 by Louis Meyer, when he asked for a glass of buttermilk after his victory. The Bottle of Milk has evolved to a ceremonial race day tradition to an Indiana dairy farmer handing it off to the Indy 500 champion.