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Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Indiana) — 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, the hot dog-based world of motorsport anyway.
We’re of course talking about the second running of the Wienie 500 on Friday afternoon, and while the sun was far from shining, the buns definitely were.
“We’re OK with soggy buns,” Corn Dog driver Trey O’Shea, aka Tailgate Trey, told us. But luckily the only thing raining was mustard as New York Dog took the checkered flag.
Six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles rolled around the iconic 2.5-mile track Friday afternoon, providing 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 of 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-selected Corn Dog, representing the country as a whole.
The six vehicles are rarely in the same location, as they travel the country the rest of the year. The Wienie 500 brought them all together again as an appetizer for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
And, frankly, the “hotdoggers” – the Wienermobile drivers and observers sitting in the passenger seat – knew it would be difficult to catch and dethrone the reigning champion Slaw Dog.
But they managed to pull through as the New York Dog maintained his lead, becoming the top dog, getting all the glory in “Wiener’s Circle” with the “Borg-Wiener Trophy”.
“It was fun,” “Beef Commander” Andy Richter told us in Wiener’s Circle. “I [picked] Corn Dog, and they were the last. But they’re the new guys, so I like the underdogs, no pun intended – it’s the most ridiculous place I’ve ever been. If you talk to any of these drivers, it’s incessant puns. »
Here are our takeaways from the 2026 Wienie 500:
1. Three-way races are especially wild with Wienermobiles
The two-lap race may feel like a sprint compared to the 200-lap Indy 500, but there was still plenty of action – starting with the Chi Dog practically running the Seattle Dog off the track.
Slaw Dog took the lead, followed by Chi Dog, Chili Dog, Corn Dog, New York Dog and Seattle Dog. But the reigning champion’s advantage did not last.
Racing three-way through the second 2.5-mile lap, Chili Dog, Chi Dog and New York Dog almost traded bun shades in a fierce battle for the lead. Eventually, New York Dog pulled out and held on for a mustard-filled celebration 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 stayed the course, proving that three-way races are captivating in all their forms.
Maybe the New York Dog team of hotdoggers learned a few tips and tricks from the pros. For the second running of the Wienie 500, INDYCAR drivers Scott McLaughlin, Nolan Siegel and Sting Ray Robb worked with the hotdoggers, providing a little coaching on how to handle the IMS oval. They were also present in a trainer’s booth during the race.
“That tastes like victory,” shouted New York dog watcher Jack Cupit, aka Jack and Cheese, as he put down a dog in Wiener’s Circle. He didn’t know the team’s top speed, just that it was “faster than second place.”
Here are the full results for the 2026 Wienie 500:
- New York dog
- Chili dog
- Coleslaw Dog
- Dog Chi
- Seattle Dog
- corn dog
2. The Slaw Dog just didn’t have enough this year
As the winner of the inaugural Wienie 500 last year, Slaw Dog had bragging rights while living that glamorous and glitzy life. And he had the opportunity to defend his title at the end of the race but was perhaps enjoying last year’s “W” a little too much.
In the end, finishing third, maybe Slaw Dog’s aerodynamics just weren’t the best. After the three-way moment that sent New York Dog ahead, Slaw Dog looked like it might have kept up with the leader’s draft.
But third place remains respectable. It’s not wurst, but it’s not the best.
3. The Corn Dog should be a staple, but what other dogs could be added?
The Corn Dog was new for the 2026 Wienie 500, but he needs a permanent spot in the starting lineup. Replacing the Sonoran Dog, fans voted in a “Pick Your Dog” bracket to add the Corn Dog to the mix, complete with a stick in his butt.
“Last year, Sonoran Dog smoked buns – didn’t cut the mustard – so they actually relegated that name,” Corn Dog driver Trey O’Shea, aka Tailgate Trey, told us before the race.
“They’re 27 feet long, and we have an extra six feet in the back here,” he added. “Then know how to maneuver it [can be challenging]. That’s why there are two of us. Four eyes on the road at all times.”
What else could be added to the Wienie 500 range? Sure, it would probably have to be a real Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, but what about a Coney Dog, kielbasa, bratwurst or Italian sausage?
4. Absurd juxtaposition offers levity around the world’s biggest racing weekend
Team New York Dog’s Jack and Cheese celebrates winning the 2026 Wienie 500. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Indy 500 is serious business. For some drivers and teams, this is the only INDYCAR race they compete in all year, using the entire schedule to prepare for race day. Losing is heartbreaking, but winning the Indy 500 is truly life changing. And with heightened emotions, pressure and stakes, May is all about the competitors.
And that’s why the Wienie 500 is a delicious respite and a welcome highlight of Carb Day at IMS.
Where else can you see a group of Wienermobiles racing on a legendary 117-year-old track? And that’s the fun part of the Indy 500, when drivers regularly exceed 200 miles per hour?
This is a great addition to the Carb Day lineup, which historically was primarily dedicated to Indy 500 final practice, Pit Stop Competition and fan concerts. But the Wienie 500 is incredible fun, and I hope IMS and Oscar Mayer keep this race going for a while.
4 1/2. What’s next?
The main course.
The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 24 at 12:30 p.m. ET with Alex Palou leading the field to the green. The pre-race broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. ET, followed by The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, both of which can be watched on FOX or streamed on FOX One.
