INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson has added his name to an impressive list of drivers who have been honored by the American Dairy Association of Indiana as Indy 500 Fastest Rookie of the Year.
Larson’s Fast Six qualifying speed is the second fastest in the 50-year history of the Fastest Rookie Program. Tony Stewart’s 1996 four-lap average of 233.100 mph ranks faster.
Larson’s four-lap average speed during Sunday’s Fast Six was 232.846 mph in the No. 17 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren/Hendrick Motorsports.
The Fastest Rookie of the Year Award began in 1975 and has an impressive list of past winners including Rick Mears in 1978, Chip Ganassi in 1982, Michael Andretti in 1984, Jacques Villeneuve in 1994, Tony Stewart in 1996, Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000, Tony Kanaan in 2002, Scott Dixon in 2003, Danica Patrick in 2005, Kurt Busch in 2014, Alexander Rossi in 2016 and Fernando Alonso in 2017.
Larson and the other rookies in this year’s Indianapolis 500 starting lineup were honored Tuesday at the 50th American Dairy Association of Indiana Fastest Rookie of the Year Luncheon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Larson’s inscription was added to the permanent Fastest Rookie Trophy on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, but he also received a custom-designed plaque and a $10,000 cash award from the dairy association.
The other rookies honored included Kyffin Simpson of Chip Ganassi Racing (231.948 mph), Linus Lundqvist of Chip Ganassi Racing (231.506 mph), Marcus Armstrong of Chip Ganassi Racing (232.183 mph), Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen (231.682 mph) and Tom Blomqvist of Meyer Shank Racing (231.578 mph).
“I’m sure all of us rookies are soaking in the experience and the atmosphere and all that,” Larson said. “It’s all been great, and I look forward to race day and getting to experience that atmosphere as a competitor.
“I’ve been here as a fan a couple of times but getting to experience it as a competitor will be something different.”
Larson was honored at the Fastest Rookie of the Year luncheon from the 1,000 or so guests in attendance with the traditional toast.
It was milk, of course.
The “Bottle of Milk” in victory lane dates all the way back to 1936 when Louis Meyer became the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. He requested a bottle of buttermilk in victory lane.
Milk was awarded in victory lane off and on over the next several years until it became a permanent part of the celebration in 1956 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Anton “Tony” Hulman.
Five members of the Louis Meyer family – Sue Meyer, Brad, Tonya and Scott and Cara Balch, attended the race celebration.
Wednesday was “Community Day” with the 33 drivers in the Indianapolis 500 visiting fans and schools in the area in advance of Sunday’s 108th Indianapolis 500. Larson joined Team Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin (the Indy 500 Pole Winner), Will Power and Chip Ganassi Racing star Scott Dixon at a program at Wheeler Elementary School in Speedway, Indiana.