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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 motorsport events in the world. Well, at least the hot dog-based world of motorsports.
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 certainly were.
“We’re fine with soggy buns,” Corn Dog driver Trey O’Shea, aka Tailgate Trey, told me. But thankfully all that rained was mustard as the 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 dressed as hot dogs for the occasion.
The Wienermobiles represent different regions around the United States: 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 for 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 fair, the “hot dogs” — the Wienermobil drivers and scofflaws in the passenger seat — knew it would be difficult to catch up and dethrone reigning champion Slaw Dog.
But they managed to pull it off as the New York dog held on to his lead, emerged as the top dog and got all the glory in the “Wieners Circle” with the “Borg-Wiener Trophy”.
“It was fun,” Andy Richter, “the commander in beef,” told us at Wiener’s Circle. “I [picked] Corn Dog and they were last. But they are the new ones so I like the underdog, no pun intended – this is the smartest place I’ve ever been. If you talk to any of these drivers, it’s non-stop puns.”
Here are our takeaways from the 2026 Wienie 500:
1. Three-Wide Racing is particularly fond of Wienermobiles
The two-lap race may seem like a sprint compared to the 200-lap Indy 500, but there was still plenty of action — starting with Chi Dog practically running Seattle Dog off the track.
The Slaw Dog took an early lead, followed by the Chi Dog, Chili Dog, Corn Dog, New York Dog and Seattle Dog. But the defending champion’s advantage did not last.
Racing three-wide on the second 2.5-mile lap, Chili Dog, Chi Dog and New York Dog nearly traded balls in a heated battle for the lead. In the end, New York Dog pulled out in front and held on for a mustard-filled feast in Wiener’s Circle.
“There’s no way to describe it,” New York Dog driver Camila Fowler, aka Cook ‘Em Cam, told us afterward. “No words. At the end of the day we were a team, we were ready for anything and just happy to be here and happy to do it for New York.”
The Wienermobiles kept things exciting and proved that three-wide racing is captivating in any form.
Perhaps the New York Dog team of hotdoggers have picked up some tips and tricks from the pros. For the second edition of the Wienie 500, INDYCAR drivers Scott McLaughlin, Nolan Siegel and Sting Ray Robb worked the hotdogs and offered a little coaching on how to handle the IMS oval. They were also in a trainer booth during the race.
“Tastes like victory,” shouted New York Dog spotter Jack Cupit, aka Jack and Cheese, as he downed a dog in Wiener’s Circle. He didn’t know the team’s top speed, just that it was “faster than the other.”
Here are the complete results from the 2026 Wienie 500:
- New York dog
- Chili dog
- Slave dog
- Chi dog
- Seattle dog
- Corn dog
2. Slaw Dog just didn’t have enough this year
Winner of the inaugural Wienie 500 last year, Slaw Dog has had bragging rights while living the glitzy glam life. And it had a chance to defend its title late in the race, but might enjoy last year’s “W” a little too much.
Ultimately finishing third, maybe the Slaw Dog’s aero dognics just weren’t the best. After the three-wide moment that sent New York Dog up in front, Slaw Dog looked like it might have followed the leader’s draft.
But third place is still respectable. Not the wurst, but not the best.
3. Corn Dog should be a staple, but what other dogs could be added?
Corn Dog was new to the 2026 Wienie 500, but it needs a permanent spot in the starting lineup. To replace the Sonoran Dog, fans voted in a Pick Your Dog” bracket to add the Corn Dog to the mix, complete with a stick in its derrière.
“Last year, Sonoran Dog was smoking buns — not cutting mustard — so they actually banished that name,” Corn Dog driver Trey O’Shea, aka Tailgate Trey, told us before the race.
“They’re 27 feet long and we’ve got an extra six feet on the back here,” he added. “Then know how to maneuver it [can be challenging]. That’s why we have two of us. Four eyes on the road at all times.”
What else could be added to the Wienie 500 series? Sure, it probably has to be an actual Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, but how about a Coney Dog or kielbasa or bratwurst or Italian sausage?
4. Absurd juxtaposition offers levity around the biggest race weekend in the world
Jack and Cheese of Team New York Dog celebrate winning the 2026 Wienie 500. (Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Indy 500 is serious business. For some drivers and teams, it’s the only INDYCAR race they compete in all year, and use the entire calendar to prepare for race day. Losing is heartbreaking, but winning the Indy 500 is truly life-changing. And with increased emotions, pressure and stakes, the month of May is everything for the competitors.
And that’s why the Wienie 500 is a nice respite and a welcome highlight of Carb Day at IMS.
Where else can you see a bunch of Wienermobiles driving around a legendary 117-year-old track? And that’s the fun of the Indy 500 when drivers regularly go 200 miles per hour?
It’s an excellent addition to the Carb Days lineup, which has historically been mostly about the final Indy 500 practice, the Pit Stop competition and concerts for fans. But the Wienie 500 is incredible entertainment and hopefully IMS and Oscar Mayer will keep this race going for a while.
4 1/2. What’s next?
The main course.
The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 24 at 12:30 PM ET with Alex Palou leading the field to the green. The pre-race broadcast begins at 10 ET followed by The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, both of which can be seen on FOX or streamed on FOX One.
