We all know that winners drink milk. At least, that’s what the American Dairy Association Indiana claims. But, do winners drink two gallons of milk every week? Do they drink chocolate milk after working out?
Josef Newgarden is one of them.
The “Winners Drink Milk” phrase – a marketing campaign promoting the tradition of the Indy 500 winner chugging milk in Victory Lane – really applies to Newgarden, the 2023 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Since January of 2020, Newgarden has collaborated with the dairy organisation. It all began when his representative contacted the organisation and expressed his passion for milk and desire in collaborating. Since then, the Indiana Dairy Association has collaborated with Newgarden to create material that promotes its farmers and products.
According to Brooke Williams, the dairy association’s communications director, being in Victory Lane this year was more emotional than before.
“It’s just really (to work with) an athlete who already loves milk, we couldn’t dream that up,” Williams said. “And for him to go on to win the Indy 500 is just taking things to the next level.”
On Sunday, after receiving his reward, a tall glass of whole milk, Newgarden drew the dairy farmer in for a celebration. “I’ve been on your farm!” Newgarden said to the milkman, according to Williams.
Kerry Estes, a first-generation Indiana dairy farmer, is the Indy 500 milk guy. According to Williams, Newgarden just visited Estes’ property and met his family. She said she loved seeing Newgarden recognise the farmer in such a stressful and exciting situation.
Newgarden and his wife Ashley appeared in a spoof film prepared by the dairy organisation two years ago, highlighting his passion for milk. He claims he became interested in racing, notably the Indy 500, because “it was all about the milk.”
Newgarden is seen sipping a gallon of milk, bringing it for lunch, placing it in different glasses throughout the home, and even meditating amid empty jugs. “It’s perfectly normal, right?” In the video, Ashley Newgarden inquired.
He got to fulfil his dairy ambitions in Sunday’s event. Sure, he claimed first place in the 107th Indianapolis 500 and received a $3.666 million prize, but he could also finally consume his favourite beverage as a winner.
Concerning the future of his cooperation with the American Dairy organisation Indiana, Williams said that the organisation is still under contract with him for the next year and that she expects the association to continue working with him in the coming years.
“It’s great to be able to tell the story (of our dairy farmers) every year in May, but to have someone like Josef who will keep telling the story even after the win is a dream,” Williams added. “I’m excited to see what the future has in store for us.”
