{"id":34199,"date":"2025-05-24T14:35:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T18:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=34199"},"modified":"2025-05-24T14:35:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T18:35:13","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-the-indy-500-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/05\/24\/a-beginners-guide-to-the-indy-500-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"If It Ain\u2019t Broke Don\u2019t Fix It: Traditions at the Indy 500"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re getting very close to the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500<\/a>. During tomorrow\u2019s coverage, viewers might notice things happening at the 500 that don\u2019t happen at other races on the schedule. <\/span>Today, LWOS is breaking down some of the traditions that take place during the Indy 500.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Traditions at the Indianapolis 500 are Part of the Race\u2019s History\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

With over one hundred years of running the Indianapolis 500, the race has developed some traditions throughout its history. These small parts of the race have become staples and fan favorites, contributing to the prestige and allure of the largest motorsport event in the world.<\/p>\n

Winners Drink Milk\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Josef Newgarden drinks the milk after winning the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment. May 28, 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most notable traditions at the Indianapolis 500<\/a> is the winner drinking milk at the end of the race.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tradition dates back to 1936. After winning the race that year, driver Louis Meyer was seen holding up a bottle of milk in his left hand after parking his car in Victory Lane. The crowd cheered while he held three fingers up with his other hand, signifying his third Indy 500 win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The moment was captured by a Movietone News cameraman and has become an iconic image in Indy 500 history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the drivers are allowed to choose what type of milk they would like if they win. Most drivers choose whole milk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The milk bottles are sourced by two Indiana dairy farmers. They play a role in continuing the tradition and represent their colleagues and dairy farmers across Indiana.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Kissing the Bricks<\/h3>\n
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Pagenaud and family kiss the bricks after the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500. May 29, 2019. Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ‘kissing the bricks’ tradition is one that originates outside of IndyCar, the tradition started with NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.<\/p>\n

The start\/finish line at IMS features a 36-inch strip of exposed brick from the Speedway’s original construction. As a result, the track has often been referred to as ‘The Brickyard’.<\/p>\n

In 1996, after winning the Brickyard 400, Dale Jarrett and his crew chief, Todd Parrott, kissed the bricks in celebration of their win.<\/p>\n

The tradition was adopted by IndyCar in 2003, when Gil de Ferran won the race and did the same.<\/p>\n

Today, anyone who wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway takes a moment to kiss the bricks.<\/p>\n

Back Home Again in Indiana\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The singing of the chorus of Back Home Again In Indiana became an Indianapolis 500 tradition over 100 years ago.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

In 1919, the trackside brass band played the song while Hoosier Howdy Wilcox made his way to victory. Although this is the first time the song was played at the track, it didn’t become an annual tradition until 1946.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The race in 1946 marked the return of the Indy 500 after a four-year hiatus due to World War <\/span>II. The song was performed an hour before the race began. The crowd that gathered at IMS went silent and listened as it was performed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

James Melton, a member of the New York Metropolitan Opera, was invited to sing the song over the next few years. Since then, it has become a staple in the pre-race traditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n