Wienie 500 Brings Hot Dog Fun to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles raced for the first time ever in the “Wienie 500” on Carb Day, May 23, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Six hot dog-shaped vehicles, representing various U.S. regions, competed in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Each Wienermobile showcased a unique regional hot dog, including the Chili Dog from the South and the New York Dog from the East. Bridget Berens, dubbed ‘hotdogger BBQ Bridget,’ drove the Chili Dog. She said she was thrilled to be part of this historic race. “We were all so excited to, you know, make history today,” Berens remarked, reflecting on the joyful atmosphere of the event.

The hot dog racers zipped around the 2.5-mile track, hitting speeds of around 40 mph. In a thrilling finish, Slaw Dog outpaced Chi Dog to claim victory. “I was hauling buns out there, but Slaw Dog was able to catch up and came out top dog,” said Kaitlyn Goldstein, driver of Chi Dog.

Indianapolis resident Dontraelle Johnson cheered for Chi Dog, expressing disappointment over the close loss. “I was like, ‘No, why did they lose?’ But it made it interesting,” he shared. Despite the outcome, Johnson found the race to be a highlight of the day.

Goldstein hopes the Wienie 500 becomes a regular feature of race weekend events. “I think everyone that was watching really enjoyed it. So hope we can keep the dogs out there for years to come,” she said.

The Wienie 500 will air in the pre-race show on Sunday for the 109th running of the Indy 500, providing another reason for fans to celebrate the beloved summer tradition.