Palou turns qualifying adversity into Indy 500 pole mastery
The reigning Indy 500 champion drew the 31st qualifying slot, ran in peak heat, and barely scraped into the Fast 12 before grabbing pole
It started in 1936 when Louis Meyer asked for some milk after he had won the Indy 500, except for 10 years in the 1940s and ’50s, it has been a staple ever since.

1946: George Robson is the last to taste milk after victory for a decade…
The 1946 Indy 500 on the Database

1956: …when the tradition returns thanks to Pat Flaherty.
View the 1956 Indy 500 on the Database
1969: Mario Andretti is handed his bottle following his sole Indy victory.
The 1969 Indy 500 on the Database

1987: Stepping in for Danny Ongais, Al Unser Sr wins for the fourth time to tie with AJ Foyt.
The 1987 Indy 500 on the Database

1993: Emerson Fittipaldi breaks tradition for his own orange juice…
View the 1993 Indy 500 on the Database

1995: Jacques Villeneuve wins on only his second appearance.
The 1995 Indy 500 on the Database
2000: Juan Pablo Montoya takes the honours on his Indy debut.
View the 2000 Indy 500 on the Database
2005: Dan Wheldon becomes the first Brit to get the milk since Graham Hill’s success 39 years before, becoming the third Briton to win.
The 2005 Indy 500 on the Database
2009: Hélio Castroneves makes it three; the most wins of all of the active drivers.
View the full 2009 Indy 500 result on the Database
2012: The third win for a British driver in succession, and the third of Dario Franchitti’s career.
The 2012 Indy 500 on the Database
2015: Juan Pablo Montoya wins again, 15 years after his first victory.
The 2015 Indy 500 on the Database
2016: Rookie Alexander Rossi stretches his fuel to the limit win the 100th Indy 500.
The reigning Indy 500 champion drew the 31st qualifying slot, ran in peak heat, and barely scraped into the Fast 12 before grabbing pole
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