Pato O’Ward Milks Cow on Carb Day Before 109th Indy 500

In a totally unexpected—and honestly pretty charming—moment, Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward swapped out the roar of engines for something a little more pastoral. On Friday, May 23, 2025, during Carb Day before the 109th Indianapolis 500, O’Ward found himself milking a cow named Rihanna, who came all the way from Greenfield.

Someone snapped a photo of the whole thing, and it spread like wildfire. The sight of a race car driver milking a cow added a quirky, rural twist to the usual high-octane race weekend vibe.

Pato O’Ward’s Unique Carb Day Experience

Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway usually means final practices, pit stop challenges, and a big concert. This year, though, a special guest from the farm—Rihanna the cow—stole a bit of the spotlight.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward rolled up his sleeves and tried his hand at milking Rihanna, making for a scene you definitely don’t see every day at a racetrack.

It wasn’t just a goofy photo op, either. The whole thing shined a light on the bond between racing and Indiana’s agricultural roots.

The American Dairy Association Indiana set up the event to show just how important dairy farming is around here.

Connecting Racing and Agriculture

Indiana’s got legendary racing, sure, but it’s also a huge farming state. By bringing a cow right to the track, the Dairy Association pulled these two worlds together in a way that felt pretty genuine.

O’Ward milking Rihanna kind of drove home the point that behind all the speed and spectacle, there’s a hardworking community keeping it all moving.

Marla Stone, Rihanna’s owner from Greenfield, was there to walk O’Ward through the milking. She made sure it all felt real, not just staged for the cameras.

She even shared a few details about what it’s like to run a dairy farm day in and day out.

Media Interaction and Public Engagement

After his cow-milking debut, O’Ward chatted with the media. You could tell he was genuinely into the experience—he wasn’t just going through the motions.

He talked about how much work goes into dairy farming, and you could hear the respect in his voice.

Grace Smith from IndyStar caught the whole thing on camera, from O’Ward’s first awkward moments with Rihanna to his interviews afterward.

Her coverage let fans who couldn’t make it to the track feel like they were part of the fun.

The Role of the American Dairy Association Indiana

The American Dairy Association Indiana made the whole event happen. Allie Rieth, their Agriculture Affairs Manager, and Brooke Williams, Director of Communications, were both on-site, making sure everything went off without a hitch.

Their presence really showed how much the association cares about getting the word out about dairy farming.

Bringing a cow to the Speedway isn’t something you see every day, but it definitely made an impression. The event celebrated Indiana’s dairy farmers and gave fans a break from the usual race-day routine.

Looking Ahead to the 109th Indianapolis 500

With the 109th Indianapolis 500 just around the corner, moments like these add some unexpected flavor to all the hype. The race is always about speed, but it’s also about tradition and community.

O’Ward milking Rihanna brought a little humanity to the whole spectacle. Fans seem even more excited for the race now, and honestly, these quirky traditions make the weekend feel more special.

Final Thoughts

Pato O’Ward milked Rihanna the cow on Carb Day, and honestly, it was one of those moments you can’t help but smile at. There’s something charming about seeing racing and Indiana’s farming roots meet like that.

The American Dairy Association Indiana got involved too, and O’Ward brought some real enthusiasm. People in the crowd seemed to love it—who wouldn’t?

If you want more photos or details, check out the IndyStar article.