Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.) — Prestige, entertainment and life-changing opportunities are synonymous with the iconic 2.5-mile track and one of the biggest motorsports events in the world. Well, the hot dog-based motorsports world anyway.
We are, of course, talking about the second edition of the Wienie 500 on Friday afternoon, and while the sun was far from out, the buns definitely were.
“We’re OK with soggy buns,” Corn Dog driver, Trey O’Shea, a.k.a. Tailgate Trey, told us. But luckily, the only thing raining was mustard when New York Dog took the checkered flag.
Six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles hit the iconic 2.5-mile track Friday afternoon, delivering a fun and exciting second edition of the Wienie 500 in front of many fans who were dressed as hot dogs for the occasion.
The Wienermobiles represent different regions around the U.S.: Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest) and Slaw Dog (Southeast) were joined by a fan-picked Corn Dog, representing the country as a whole.
The six vehicles are rarely in the same place, as they travel around the country throughout the rest of the year. The Wienie 500 brought them all together again as the appetizer for Sunday’s 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
And, to be frank, the “hotdoggers” — the Wienermobile drivers and spotters in the passenger seat — knew it would be tough to catch up to and dethrone the reigning champ Slaw Dog.
But they managed to pull it off as the New York Dog held onto its lead, emerging as the top dog, getting all the glory in the “Wiener’s Circle” with the “Borg-Wiener Trophy.”
“It was fun,” Andy Richter, the “Commander in Beef,” told us in Wiener’s Circle. “I [picked] Corn Canine, and so they had been final. However they’re the brand new ones, so I just like the underdog, no pun — that is the punniest place I’ve ever been. If you happen to discuss to any of these drivers, it is nonstop puns.”
Listed here are our takeaways from the 2026 Wienie 500:
1. Three-Vast Racing Is Particularly Wild With Wienermobiles
The 2-lap race might look like a dash in contrast with the 200-lap Indy 500, however there was nonetheless loads of motion — beginning with the Chi Canine virtually operating Seattle Canine off the monitor.
Slaw Canine took an early lead, adopted by Chi Canine, Chili Canine, Corn Canine, New York Canine and Seattle Canine. However the defending champ’s benefit did not final.
Racing three-wide on the second 2.5-mile lap, Chili Canine, Chi Canine and New York Canine had been virtually buying and selling bun shades in a heated battle for the lead. Finally, New York Canine pulled out entrance and held on for a mustard-filled celebration within the Wiener’s Circle.
“There is not any solution to describe it,” New York Canine driver Camila Fowler, a.okay.a. Prepare dinner ‘Em Cam, informed us afterward. “No phrases. On the finish of the day, we had been a workforce, we had been prepared for something and simply joyful to be right here and joyful to do it for New York.”
The Wienermobiles stored it thrilling, proving three-wide racing is fascinating in any kind.
Maybe the New York Canine crew of hotdoggers picked up some ideas and methods from the professionals. For the second version of the Wienie 500, INDYCAR drivers Scott McLaughlin, Nolan Siegel and Sting Ray Robb labored with the hotdoggers, providing a little bit little bit of teaching on how one can deal with the IMS oval. They had been additionally in a training sales space in the course of the race.
“Tastes like victory,” New York Canine spotter Jack Cupit, a.okay.a. Jack and Cheese, shouted whereas downing a canine within the Wiener’s Circle. He did not know the workforce’s prime pace, simply that it was “quicker than second.”
Listed here are the whole outcomes from the 2026 Wienie 500:
- New York Dog
- Chili Dog
- Slaw Dog
- Chi Dog
- Seattle Dog
- Corn Dog
2. Slaw Canine Simply Did not Have Sufficient This 12 months
Because the winner of the inaugural Wienie 500 final yr, Slaw Canine has had bragging rights whereas residing that glizzy glam life. And it had an opportunity to defend its title late within the race however was possibly relishing final yr’s “W” a little bit an excessive amount of.
Finally ending third, possibly Slaw Canine’s aero-dognamics simply weren’t the very best. After the three-wide second that despatched New York Canine up entrance, Slaw Canine appeared prefer it might have adopted the chief’s draft.
However third place remains to be respectable. Not the wurst, however not the very best.
3. Corn Canine Ought to Be A Staple, However What Different Canine Might Be Added?
The Corn Canine was new for the 2026 Wienie 500, nevertheless it wants a everlasting spot within the beginning lineup. Changing the Sonoran Canine, followers voted in a Choose Your Canine” bracket so as to add the Corn Canine to the combination, full with a stick in its derrière.
“Final yr, Sonoran Canine had smoked buns — didn’t reduce the mustard — so they really relegated that identify,” Corn Canine driver, Trey O’Shea, a.okay.a. Tailgate Trey, informed us earlier than the race.
“They’re 27 toes lengthy, and we obtained an additional six toes on the again right here,” he added. “So figuring out how one can maneuver it [can be challenging]. That is why we obtained two of us. 4 eyes on the street in any respect time.”
What else might be added to the Wienie 500 lineup? In fact, it’d doubtless should be an actual Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, however what a few Coney Canine or kielbasa or bratwurst or Italian sausage?
4. Absurd Juxtaposition Affords Levity Round The Greatest Race Weekend In The World
Jack and Cheese of Workforce New York Canine celebrates successful the 2026 Wienie 500. (Photograph by Justin Casterline/Getty Pictures)
The Indy 500 is severe enterprise. For some drivers and groups, it is the one INDYCAR race they compete in all yr, utilizing your complete calendar to arrange for race day. Dropping is heartbreaking, however successful the Indy 500 really is life-changing. And with heightened feelings, stress and stakes, the Month of Might is all enterprise for rivals.
And that is why the Wienie 500 is a pleasant respite and a welcome spotlight of Carb Day at IMS.
The place else are you able to see a bunch of Wienermobiles operating round a legendary 117-year-old monitor? And that is the amuse-bouche to the Indy 500, when drivers repeatedly break 200 miles an hour?
It is a wonderful addition to Carb Day’s lineup, which traditionally has been largely concerning the remaining Indy 500 apply, the Pit Cease Competitors and live shows for followers. However the Wienie 500 is unimaginable leisure, and hopefully IMS and Oscar Mayer preserve this race going for some time.
4 1/2. What’s Subsequent?
The principle course.
The a hundred and tenth Operating of the Indianapolis 500 is ready for Sunday, Might 24, at 12:30 p.m. ET with Alex Palou main the sector to inexperienced. The pre-race broadcast will start at 10 a.m. ET, adopted by The Best Spectacle in Racing, each of which may be watched on FOX or streamed on FOX One.
