Indianapolis, Indiana – What started as a playful idea quickly turned into one of the most talked-about moments of the month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the Dog-Dandy Wienie 500 rolled into town and captured attention far beyond the racing world. Held on May 23 during Miller Lite Carb Day, the event brought together Oscar Mayer and IMS for a spectacle that blended motorsports tradition with pure, joyful absurdity.
For the first time ever, the full fleet of Oscar Mayer’s iconic Wienermobiles lined up on the famed 2.5-mile oval, transforming the historic track into a hot-dog-shaped playground. While IMS has hosted countless legendary races over more than a century, this one stood apart. The Wienie 500 wasn’t about lap records or horsepower. It was about laughter, creativity, and leaning fully into the fun of the moment.
The race marked the official racing debut of the Hotdoggers, the longtime ambassadors of the Wienermobile brand. For decades, these rolling hot dogs have popped up at parades, festivals, and community events across the country. Yet despite their deep roots in American pop culture, they had never taken part in a real race. That changed on Carb Day, as fans watched the oversized vehicles circle the same track that hosts the Indianapolis 500.
Interest spread quickly beyond the speedway gates. Fans who couldn’t attend in person tuned in through the FOX Sports app and across the @INDYCARonFOX social media channels. Clips and photos of the race spread rapidly online, turning the Wienie 500 into a viral hit and introducing a global audience to a uniquely Indianapolis kind of fun.
The event also marked a rare reunion. It was the first time all six Wienermobiles had gathered in one place in more than ten years. To mark the occasion, Oscar Mayer revealed newly redesigned looks for each vehicle, giving the fleet bold personalities inspired by regional hot-dog styles from around the country. The lineup included the Chi Dog representing the Midwest, the New York Dog for the East, the Slaw Dog for the Southeast, the Sonoran Dog from the Southwest, the Chili Dog from the South, and the Seattle Dog carrying the flag for the Northwest.
Every detail leaned into the racing theme. The Hotdoggers showed up in custom racing suits matched to their vehicles’ designs, adding to the sense that this was a serious competition, even if no one was taking it too seriously. After the checkered flag, the celebration moved to the cleverly named “Wiener’s Circle,” where the winning team received a trophy, a playful spray of condiments, and a victory hot dog fit for a champion.
The atmosphere throughout the day was electric and lighthearted, perfectly suited for Carb Day’s already festive crowd. From the pre-race buildup to the final laps, fans embraced the silliness and cheered as loudly as they would for any traditional race.
In a finish that surprised many, the Slaw Dog pulled ahead of the Chi Dog to claim the win, sealing bragging rights and sending one of the largest Carb Day crowds in IMS history into laughter and applause. For a few unforgettable laps, hot dogs ruled the Racing Capital of the World, proving that sometimes the most memorable moments come when tradition meets imagination.
