'SI' Salutes Indy Winner's Drink Of Milk As Top Sports Award

Dan Wheldon doused himself in the traditional winner's milk after taking a hearty swig from the bottle after winning the 89th Indianapolis 500 in May.
By Arni Sribhen
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Monday, December 12, 2005

Sports Illustrated magazine has recognized the bottle of milk given annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 as No. 1 among the "sports world's coolest prizes."

SI.com writer Pete McEntegart ranked the 10 coolest prizes in sports in his "The 10 Spot" column, writing this about the winner's drink of milk:

"Undoubtedly the healthiest prize in sports. Louis Meyer inadvertently started the tradition after he won the 1933 race when a photographer snapped him in the garage area downing a glass of his favorite drink, buttermilk. He did the same in Victory Lane after winning in 1936. A photo of that swig reached an executive at the Milk Foundation, who sensed an opportunity."

There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since with support from the American Dairy Association.

Other items on the list included: the Stanley Cup, Heisman Trophy, the green jacket given to the winner of The Masters, the Olympic gold medal and the Old Oaken Bucket given to the winner of the annual Purdue-Indiana football game.

Centennial White Nike Polo

Centennial Era White Nike Fit Dry Polo, Embroidered Logo.

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The hand-painted Gibson guitar awarded to the winner of the annual IndyCar Series race at Nashville Superspeedway was ranked at No. 8.

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Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2006 Indianapolis 500, the historic 90th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

All fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.

Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday, while online orders can be made at any time.

Ticket prices start at just $20.


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