This Friday, May 23, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host a race unlike any it has seen before. While the iconic venue gears up for the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, a unique spectacle will take center stage on Carb Day. Oscar Mayer will hold its first-ever "Wienie 500," a race featuring all six of its legendary Wienermobiles. Each hot dog-shaped vehicle will represent a different regional hot-dog style from across the United States.
The Wienie 500 marks the first time in more than a decade that the entire fleet of Wienermobiles will appear together in one event. The vehicles, which are typically seen crisscrossing the country for promotional adventures, will now compete on a professional racetrack. The race will stream live at 2 p.m. ET on the Fox Sports app and the @INDYCARonFOX social media accounts, providing fans across the country with the chance to tune in.
A Regional Hot Dog Battle on Wheels
Representing six iconic hot-dog styles, the Wienermobiles will sport new liveries, each adorned with the name and colors of their designated regions. The lineup includes:
- Chi Dog for the Midwest
- New York Dog for the East
- Slaw Dog for the Southeast
- Chili Dog for the South
- Seattle Dog for the Northwest
- Sonoran Dog for the Southwest
Custom racing suits will outfit the Wienermobile drivers, and the winning team will celebrate in the "Wiener’s Circle" with a trophy ceremony featuring a hot dog and a "condiment spray," a playful twist on traditional racing celebrations.
To add to the excitement, Oscar Mayer has partnered with DraftKings to launch a free-to-play competition, where fans can predict the outcome of the Wienie 500 by answering race-related questions. Participants who accumulate the most points will share a $10,000 cash prize. Fans can head to DraftKings.com/wienie500 to enter, making it easy to join in on the fun.
6 Wienermobiles. 1 iconic track. This is the Wienie 500. Tune into the Fox Sports app on Friday, May 23rd.
— Oscar Mayer (@oscarmayer) May 20, 2025
AI generated content. Do not attempt. pic.twitter.com/pRwaorD3H1
The Wienie 500 is also part of Oscar Mayer’s official partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kelsey Rice, Brand Communications Director at Oscar Mayer, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for this one-of-a-kind event. “The Indy 500 marks the unofficial kickoff of summer and the start of hot dog season,” said Rice. “This race is our way of celebrating this timeless tradition with a little friendly competition, some delicious meats, and a lot of smiles.”
The Wienie 500 promises to be a crowd-pleaser in many ways. Attendees can visit the on-site pop-up shop to snag exclusive merchandise, including Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton tees, official racing jerseys, and items from Oscar Mayer’s partner brand, Outerknown. Firewire and Slater Designs will also host a demo center, showcasing the latest in surfboard designs for fans with a penchant for adventure.
The race will integrate seamlessly with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s storied history, giving Carb Day audiences an unexpected yet entertaining prelude to Sunday’s high-stakes Indy 500. Alex Damron, Penske Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the collaboration’s significance. “This pairing of two iconic brands adds another exciting element to the month of May at IMS. We expect it to be fun, entertaining, and incredibly viral,” he said.
The Wienie 500 event further solidifies the role of hot dogs as a race-day tradition. With over 330,000 fans consuming almost 30,000 hot dogs during the Indy 500, Oscar Mayer and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway aim to celebrate this beloved American staple in style.
Fans can also catch highlights from the race during Sunday’s Indy 500 pre-show on Fox. Whether you’re there in person relishing the action or tuning in from home, the Wienie 500 promises a kickoff to the Indy 500 weekend you won’t soon forget.