NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Indy 500 Carb Day gets a new twist with first-ever Wienie 500

Updated May. 20, 2025 7:38 p.m. ET

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Bruce Martin
Special to FOXSports.com

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the famed Indianapolis 500, which has earned its reputation as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

But it has never experienced the spectacle it will host during Carb Day on Friday, May 23.

When it comes to mobiles, there are automobiles and even the Batmobile. But nothing is more iconic than the famed Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Oscar Mayer and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the Wienie 500, and it’s going to be quite a spectacle. 

It’s the first time the entire fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where a sell-out grandstand crowd of 350,000 fans will consume nearly 30,000 hot dogs on race day.

The Wienie 500 is the first time the hot dog-shaped Wienermobiles will compete in a race on the very same track where race drivers have become legends in the Indianapolis 500.

It will give fans another reason to relish Carb Day, the final practice session before the 109th Indianapolis 500. No bun intended.

"It’s an amazing pairing of two iconic brands at one of the most high-profile days across the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Penske Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer Alex Damron told FOX Sports. "It’s also going to be entertaining and fun for everyone on site race weekend and we think also incredibly viral on the digital media landscape as well.

"Topline, we are so excited to partner with Oscar Mayer. And this is another thing that makes the month of May, already steeped in tradition and heritage, add some new and exciting elements as well."

The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 p.m. ET on the FOX Sports app and across @INDYCARonFOX social accounts, and fans can catch highlights from the race during Sunday’s Indy 500 pre-race show on FOX.

"FOX Sports is an incredibly committed media partner for INDYCAR, the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and this speaks to how immersive the partnership is and how they want fans across the country to be able to touch and feel every bit of action from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway across the month of May," Damron said. "It will be lighthearted but very fun and a great way for everybody to enter a three-day race weekend."
 

It's the first time all six Wienermobiles will "meat up" in over a decade and the first competitive race for the fleet, each sporting an all-new look. 

Each Wienermobile will represent a different regional dog, including the Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Slaw Dog (Southeast), Sonoran Dog (Southwest), Chili Dog (South) and Seattle Dog (Northwest). From custom Hotdogger racing suits to a trophy presentation in the Wiener’s Circle, complete with a condiment spray and hot dog for the wiener’s enjoyment, every moment of the race is designed to spark smiles, serving up a delightful racing event only Oscar Mayer can.

The winning Wienermobile will even receive a Wiener’s Wreath in Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This will be similar to the Borg-Warner Winner’s Wreath that's awarded to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

"The Indy 500 marks the unofficial kickoff of summer and the start of hot dog season," said Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer. "As a brand known for sparking smiles in disarmingly delightful ways, it’s only fitting that we bring a race of epic proportions to the Speedway and celebrate a timeless tradition: delicious meats and a little friendly competition to kick off a summer of wieners."

Fans across the nation can get in on the action. In collaboration with DraftKings Sportsbook, fans can predict the outcome of the unforgettable race by answering a series of race-related questions. Beginning today, fans can head to Draftkings.com/wienie500 to enter the free-to-play pool, and those who rack up the most points will win a share of the total cash prize of $10,000.

The inaugural Wienie 500 marks the beginning of a summer of celebrating the American staple, proving that even the most unexpected places — such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — is the perfect setting for an Oscar Mayer wiener. 

"Our fans love racing, they love good food, and they will get to take in a little bit of both in a different way this Carb Day," Damron said. "We expect an exciting competition and an exciting finish worthy of two legendary brands."

The Wienie 500 is part of a partnership between Oscar Mayer and IMS that names Oscar Mayer the Official Hot Dog of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. The first-of-its-kind race is also supported by an advertising campaign rolling out across the country, along with more surprises to come this summer.

With all six Wienermobiles competing in a bun-to-bun race, the margin of victory could be as close as a wiener.

Bruce Martin is a veteran motorsports writer and contributor to FOXSports.com. Follow him on X at @BruceMartin_500.

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