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Dairy farmers excited for Race Day

In a little over a week two of Indiana’s dairy farmers will present the winner of the Indianapolis 500 the most storied sports prize in history – the Bottle of Milk.

Fourth generation dairy farmer Alan Wright of “All Wright Farms” in Delaware County says he’s proud to take part in the tradition of presenting the Bottle of Milk to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

And for Wright, the tradition has a special meaning.  “We started milking at the present farm January 1, 1933,” he says.  “In May of 1933 Louis Meyer won his second Indy 500 and at that time asked for a bottle of buttermilk in Victory Circle.”

He tells Brownfield he’s looking forward to representing the nation’s dairy farmers on Race Day.  “When it comes time for that car to turn left and head into Victory Lane – Janet (the Rookie Milk Woman) and myself will be there holding that bottle of milk,” he says.  “And we get to be the first one to congratulate him and hand him that bottle of milk.”

Alan Wright, Indy 500 Milk Man

Lifelong racing fan Janet Dague of Kewanna is the Rookie Milk Woman this year.

She says there’s no bigger platform to highlight milk than the Indy 500.  “It’s known worldwide and it’s famous for that drink of milk and that is a big tradition for the Indianapolis 500,” she says.  “It’s really exciting that we can represent the other dairy farmers in Indiana.”

2015 marks the 60^th consecutive year for the Bottle of Milk tradition.

Meyer originally selected buttermilk, but today’s drivers have the choice of Whole, 2 percent, or Skim.  And in case you were wondering – the most popular selection is 2 percent.

Janet Dague, Indy 500 Rookie Milk Woman