The story behind why Indianapolis 500 winners drink milk in victory circle

The winner of the upcoming 109th Indianapolis 500 will be given an ice-cold bottle of milk in the victory circle on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

But why milk? When did the tradition begin?

The origin of the tradition was in 1936, when Louis Meyer, after having won his third Indy 500, sat perched on his car and had a bottle of buttermilk in his left hand. 

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But the tradition began with an accident. Meyer drinking the milk post-victory was unplanned. 

"It was a hot day. I came into the garage area … and all I could think of was some nice, cold buttermilk," Meyer said, per the Read Entire Article