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Romain Grosjean’s Bold Decision Shakes Up Indy 500 Lineup
Highlights
- Romain Grosjean chose skim milk for the 110th Indy 500 winner tradition.
- Indy 500 winners traditionally drink milk, a custom since 1956.
- Grosjean starts 24th driving for Dale Coyne Racing this year.
- Only Emerson Fittipaldi previously broke milk tradition, drank orange juice in 1993.
- All other drivers selected whole or 2% milk for the race.
Romain Grosjean has singled himself out before the 110th Indianapolis 500, selecting skim milk for the winner’s tradition, the only driver in the field to do so.
The milk celebration remains a defining Indy 500 ritual, rooted in Louis Meyer’s buttermilk swig in 1936 and standardized in 1956 as the Victory Lane hallmark.
Drivers pre-select their preferred type through the American Dairy Association Indiana, usually whole or 2% milk. Grosjean alone chooses skim, a modest deviation that still respects the ceremony’s spirit.
On track, Grosjean starts 24th for Dale Coyne Racing, leaving strategy, caution timing, and pit execution central to any climb through the pack on Sunday.
His grid slot follows an intense qualifying phase, covered in a detailed qualifying breakdown that underscored fine margins across the mid-pack.
Grosjean is the only entrant to select skim milk for the 110th Indianapolis 500.
Rare pushback exists. Emerson Fittipaldi drank orange juice after winning in 1993, a sponsor-driven call that drew criticism and endures as the outlier to the milk custom.
From 24th, clean restarts and undercut opportunities matter more than outright pace, as history shows from similar starting positions at Indianapolis.
Practice running highlights the slipstream effect and fuel windows, with Josef Newgarden’s programme offering clues on traffic behavior during race simulations.
Since 1956, every Indy 500 winner has honored the milk tradition.
The remainder of the 33-driver field opts for whole or 2% milk, keeping with convention and sponsor expectations around the Speedway ceremony.
Sunday’s narrative builds on the pressure of Super Sunday qualifying, where track evolution amplified small setup calls.
Grosjean starts 24th for Dale Coyne Racing, demanding strategic precision.
Whether skim becomes part of victory images depends on execution and circumstance. For Grosjean, the statement precedes the only verdict that matters: performance over 500 miles at Indianapolis.
The choice already sparks discussion, but race craft, caution cycles, and pit windows will decide whether it is remembered as symbolism or substance.
Visual Summary
SKIM
🏁
Whole
2%
The Only One
Indy 500 Milk Tradition
Winner drinks milk in victory lane.
This year, Romain Grosjean breaks the mold:
He’s the only driver choosing skim milk.
This year, Romain Grosjean breaks the mold:
He’s the only driver choosing skim milk.
🥛
33 drivers,
one unique pick.
one unique pick.
🥛
Will Grosjean’s skim milk choice be the next legendary Indy 500 twist?
Tradition shapes legends. Individuality makes moments unforgettable.
#MilkMatters
#MilkMatters
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
