The milk tradition at the Indy 500 dates back 83 years. 

Driver Louis Meyer was parched after winning the 1936 race. He had just driven for more than 4 1/2 hours to become the first three-time champ. So he gets what he wants. And what did he want? Buttermilk. His mother had told him years earlier that milk was good to drink on hot days, so that's what he requested.

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Celebratory milk became an annual tradition, but was dropped for a time before reappearing in the mid 1950s, when the American Dairy Association used the race as a promotional tool. 

Drivers these days are asked what kind of milk they prefer, though chocolate still isn't an option. And it matters little if a driver prefers skim or whole milk, because most of it ends up poured on the winner's head. 

Emerson Fittipaldi made what was considered a faux pas in 1993 when he sipped milk, then pulled out some orange juice to drink. He was promoting his orchard business in Brazil. Fans at the 500 weren't pleased. 

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