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The hotdog is a polarizing vessel across the United States.
One of the last times I was home in Chicago was for a Fourth of July cookout that featured juicy smash burgers, juicy chicken thighs, and a hot dog bar with all the trimmings a Chicagoan could ever want.
A red and white check cloth covered a table piled high with dogs, poppy seed buns, three kinds of mustard, fresh tomatoes, neon sweet relish, chopped onions, pickle skewers, sport peppers and shakers of celery salt.
Everyone knows I love a spread (get it?).
This Friday, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Chi Dog (Midwest) is one of six Wienermobiles set to run in the second annual Oscar Mayer Wienie 500. It joins New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest), last year’s winner Slaw Dog (Southeast) and the newest competitor, Corn Dog, via fan vote.
Race day coverage starts at 2 PM ET on FOX and FOX One.
One of my jobs around these parts is to handicap sporting events, delve into the odds and give you an educated idea of what to bet. The thing is, not a single American sportsbook takes bets on the Wienie 500.
Why?
“Is that a serious question?” Circa Sports Director of Operations Jeff Benson sent me a text earlier this week. “It’s not approved by gaming. You know that.”
I did know, but Benson’s reaction was worth asking.
So we can’t bet on that, but I still have a wienie in the race. And you will too. Chances are good that you will find the hot dog that brings back your fondest childhood memories. Nostalgia tends to hit home in events like this.
If you slathered yours with brown mustard and sauerkraut, you’ll be pulling for the New York Dog. If you went chili or chili cheese, you know the drill. If you put cream cheese or slaw on your dog like a monster, God bless.
We try not to judge around here.
Last year, Slaw Dog was sitting in second place around the final turn before chasing down Chi Dog with a nearly 70 mph rip to take the checkered flag.
“I’m deep into college baseball right now,” one anonymous player told me when pressed on this year’s run. “But I love a good villain. Give me Slaw Dog to drive it back. It’ll set up the three-peat for next year.”
Choose your wienie wisely.
I go Chi Dog with a vengeance. What about you?
