Fastest Rookie Luncheon celebrates drivers, dairy

INDIANAPOLIS — The 51st annual Fastest Rookie Luncheon was held to celebrate the top-performing rookies ahead of the 109th Indianapolis 500.

The May 20 event, hosted by American Dairy Association Indiana at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, featured a traditional milk toast to celebrate the drivers and spotlight Indiana’s dairy heritage.

This year’s standout honoree was Robert Shwartzman, of Prema Racing, who made history as the first rookie since Teo Fabi in 1983 to win pole position for the Indy 500. He had an impressive four-lap average speed of 232.79 miles per hour.

Fellow rookies Louis Foster and Nolan Siegel were also honored at the celebration.

In keeping with tradition, the luncheon included a cow-milking demonstration led by the Purdue Dairy Club. The rookies tried their hand at milking “Indy,” a dairy cow at the event.

ADAI has celebrated the fastest rookie since 1975. The award is given to the rookie driver who records the fastest four-lap average qualifying speed among their fellow rookies during Qualifications Weekend.

Did You Know?

In the 2025 milk preference poll:

• 28 drivers chose whole milk.

• 5 drivers chose 2%.

Learn more at winnersdrinkmilk.com.