The meatiest race in motorsports is back — and this time the whole country is watching
(Indianapolis) — Move over, open-wheel racing. The most sizzling event on Carb Day has nothing to do with horsepower ratings or qualifying laps. It’s a bunch of giant hot dogs, and they mean business.
The second annual Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 rolls onto the legendary bricks of Indianapolis Motor Speedway today at 2 p.m., with six iconic Wienermobiles battling it out for the title of Top Dog. And unlike last year’s debut, this year’s race goes live on FOX — meaning the whole nation can watch the most delicious spectacle in motorsports from the couch.
The stakes couldn’t be higher — or more mustard-covered.
A Field Built for Glory
This year’s lineup features Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest), Corn Dog and reigning champion Slaw Dog (Southeast) — all six rolling into IMS with fresh looks. Every Wienermobile and racing suit debuts new colors, decals and designs, and for the first time in over a decade, Oscar Mayer is dropping limited-edition Wiener Whistles to mark the occasion.
Slaw Dog claimed glory in the inaugural race last May and returns as the favorite. But the competition has leveled up considerably. IndyCar drivers Nolan Siegel, Sting Ray Robb and Scott McLaughlin are on hand as coaches, offering pro-level tips to the Hotdoggers behind the wheel.
Ceremonies Fit for a Champion
The festivities kick off with the “Wiener Anthem,” led by Commander in Beef Andy Richter. After the race — expected to wrap around 2:30 p.m. — the winner heads to the “Wiener’s Circle” for a champion’s welcome.
Waiting for them: the all-new Borg-Wiener Trophy, a 2-foot, 3-inch polished metal homage to the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy, adorned with 55 miniature Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles on the outside. BorgWarner CEO and President Joe Fadool will do the honors of presenting it. After the trophy ceremony, the trophy gets filled with hot dogs for the winners to enjoy — because of course it does.
The winning team will also receive a victory wreath and participate in a celebratory mustard spray, before heading to Pagoda Plaza for a brick kiss — the time-honored Indianapolis tradition — and a final celebration with fans.
From Sensation to Institution
Last year’s inaugural race proved this was no novelty act. Some 85,000 fans packed the stands at IMS while 8 million more tuned in via livestream, and Oscar Mayer wiener sales surged in the aftermath.
Fans at home can get in on the fun by purchasing exclusive Wienie 500 merchandise at shop.ims.com and casting a vote for Top Dog on Instacart — correct predictions earn free Oscar Mayer wieners while supplies last.