Stockwell to Serve Milk to Winning Driver
Published: Friday, May 22, 2026
Ninety years ago, Louis Meyer requested a cold, thirst-quenching bottle of buttermilk after crossing the finish line at the Indianapolis 500, and ever since, dairy farmers have been competing for the honor of representing their industry in the winner's circle of this national tradition.
"It's pretty surreal," said Ashley Stockwell, the 2026 veteran milk presenter. "You get to actually represent all family dairy farms, not just here in Indiana, but nationwide. And to be able to do that and honor our farm and our community and our state—it's not about me; it's about what we do."
Stockwell is a third-generation dairy farmer from Hudson. Together, she and her husband, Kyle, run a farm of approximately 800 dairy cows. Ashley runs the books, manages their human resources department and takes charge of all the office work while raising their four children, Konner, 11, Kyra and Karter, 9, and Kooper, 8. In addition, she is involved in several leadership roles within the dairy industry.
Looking forward to Sunday's race, Stockwell said she is anticipating the excitement and adrenaline that courses through the atmosphere as everyone prepares for the race.
"It's those things leading up to the race that actually shows we do mean something to people," Stockwell said. "We're in the parade the day before the race and people are constantly cheering, 'Milk, milk, milk!' and they want to take their picture with you because they finally met a farmer."
Following the race, she looks forward to meeting the winning driver and celebrating with him.
"They work so hard year-round to win the race, and we work so hard year-round to produce milk, and then to see those two worlds collide is so surreal, you really can't put words behind it," she said.
After joining Stockwell Farms 17 years ago, Ashley began to get involved in industry leadership. Today she is active on the National Dairy Board, Dairy Management Inc. and the American Dairy Assn. Indiana.
"I'm super passionate about how we can get this into more people's homes and to more families, how do we encourage those to drink more of it or consume more of it," she said. "We work so hard for this, to produce this nutritious product ... How do we tell our story more so people can actually connect to where their food comes from."
Stockwell hopes to communicate how beneficial the nutritional aspects of milk are while educating the public on the lengths farmers go to in caring for their livestock.
"Cows get more checkups than our children do," she said.
Stockwell farms was started in 1958 with 12 milkers and has since grown to include nearly 800 cows. Ashley enjoys finding new ways to incorporate milk into more recipes. One her family gets particularly excited about is pancakes.
"They are the fluffiest pancakes," she said. "So, if you're looking for a way to incorporate more dairy into your life, to make the fluffy pancakes, all you have to do is add dairy."
She encourages consumers to talk with a farmer and learn more about the dairy industry, where their food comes from and livestock care.
Also joining the winning driver in Victory Circle will be the rookie milk presenter, Brian Rexing of Owensville, Ind. He is the founding farmer of New Generation Dairy, which he and his wife, Ranell, began in 2008. Rexing milks nearly 1,200 Holstein cows.
Rexing is a member of Dairy Farmers of America and was recently elected chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation.
The rookie milk presenter delivers milk to the winning chief mechanic and team owner, while the veteran milk presenter delivers to the winning driver.
"Here in Indiana, winners drink milk," Stockwell said. "At the end of the race, if you're watching and you're at home, go ahead and pour yourself a glass of ice-cold milk and cheers to the driver in victory circle."
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