The tradition of the Indy 500 winner drinking milk in Victory Circle goes back to 1936. The people who present the milk to the winner appreciate the tradition and are also glad to be representing dairy families in Indiana in front of the world.

“It’s always an Indiana dairy farmer and we’re representing 700 dairy farm families across the state of Indiana,” said Abbie Herr, the veteran presenter, talking to our newsgathering partners at WISH TV.

“I’m the fourth generation, raising the fifth generation,” she said. “I have two little girls. It’s super exciting. This is gonna be their first race.”

Herr was making media rounds Thursday with the rookie presenter, Ashley Stockwell. Both were chosen by a board of Indiana dairy farm families.

“My job’s the hardest. She was the rookie last year and she said everybody was like, milk, milk, milk, milk,” said Stockwell. “She’s got the easy job, finding the winning driver. I have to find the crew, chief mechanic and the team owner.”

But, Stockwell said she’s glad to be part of the tradition.

“I’m just excited to embrace it and enjoy it.”

You may not realize it, but the winner gets to choose what type of milk they drink and get a commemorative bottle.

“So there’s a milk poll that takes place before and it’s so exciting. They get whole milk, two percent or skim milk they can choose from. They all have the same benefit,” said Herr.