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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 largest motorsports events in the world. Well, at least the world of hot dog-based motorsports.
Of course, we’re talking about the second edition of the Wienie 500 on Friday afternoon, and although the sun was far from rising, the buns definitely were.
“We’re fine with soggy buns,” Corn Dog host Trey O’Shea, also known as Tailgate Trey, told us. But luckily, all that rained was mustard when New York Dog took the checkered flag.
Six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles hit the iconic 2.5-mile track on Friday afternoon, delivering a fun and exciting second edition of the Wienie 500 in front of many fans who were dressed as hot dogs for the occasion.
The Wienermobiles represent different regions of the US: Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest) and Slaw Dog (Southeast) joined a fan-chosen Corn Dog, representing the country as a whole.
The six vehicles are rarely in the same location as they travel around the country during the rest of the year. The Wienie 500 brought them all together again as an appetizer for Sunday’s 110th running of the Indianapolis 500.
And, to be honest, the “hotdoggers” (the Wienermobile drivers and observers in the passenger seat) knew it would be difficult to catch up and dethrone the reigning champion Slaw Dog.
But they managed to pull it off as the New York Dog maintained its lead, emerging as the top dog, earning all the glory in the “Wiener Circle” with the “Borg-Wiener Trophy.”
“It was fun,” Andy Richter, the “Beef Commander,” told us at Wiener’s Circle. “YO [picked] Corn Dog, and they were the last. But they’re the new ones, so I like the underdogs, no pun intended: this is the most ridiculous place I’ve ever been. If you talk to any of those drivers, you won’t stop making puns.”
Here are our conclusions from the Wienie 500 of 2026:
1. Tri-width racing is especially wild with 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.
Slaw Dog took the lead, followed by Chi Dog, Chili Dog, Corn Dog, New York Dog, and Seattle Dog. But the defending champion’s lead did not last.
Racing three-way on the second 2.5-mile lap, Chili Dog, Chi Dog and New York Dog nearly traded shadows in a heated battle for the lead. In the end, New York Dog came through and held on for a mustard-filled celebration at Wiener’s Circle.
“There’s no way to describe it,” Camila Fowler, aka Cook ‘Em Cam, host of New York Dog, told us afterward. “No words. At the end of the day, we were a team, we were ready for anything and happy to be here and happy to do it for New York.”
The Wienermobiles kept it exciting, proving that three-way racing is captivating in any form.
Maybe the New York Dog hot dog team 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, offering them some training on how to handle the IMS oval. They were also in a trainer’s booth during the race.
“It tastes like victory,” shouted New York dog watcher Jack Cupit, also known as Jack and Cheese, as he took down a dog in Wiener’s Circle. He didn’t know the team’s top speed, only that it was “faster than a second.”
Here are the full results for the 2026 Wienie 500:
- New York Dog
- Dog with chili
- salad dog
- chi dog
- Seattle Dog
- corn dog
2. The salad dog just couldn’t get enough of it this year.
As winner of the inaugural Wienie 500 last year, Slaw Dog has had bragging rights while living that glitzy, glamorous life. And he had a chance to defend his title late in the race, but perhaps he was enjoying last year’s “W” too much.
In the end he finished third, perhaps Slaw Dog’s aerodynamics just weren’t the best. After the three-way moment that sent New York Dog to the front, it looked like Slaw Dog might have followed the leader’s draft.
But third place is still respectable. It’s not the worst, but it’s not the best either.
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 needs a permanent spot in the starting lineup. Replacing the Sonoran Dog, fans voted in a “Pick Your Dog” group to add the Corn Dog to the mix, complete with a stick up its butt.
“Last year, Sonoran Dog had smoked buns, didn’t cut the mustard, so they actually relegated that name,” Corn Dog driver Trey O’Shea, also known as Tailgate Trey, told us before the race.
“They’re 27 feet long and here we have an extra six feet in the back,” he added. “So 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 more could be added to the Wienie 500 range? Of course, it would probably have to be a real Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, but how about a Coney Dog, a kielbasa, a bratwurst, or an Italian sausage?
4. Absurd juxtaposition offers levity around the world’s biggest race 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, it is the only INDYCAR race they compete in all year, and they use the entire calendar to prepare for race day. Losing is heartbreaking, but winning the Indy 500 is truly life-changing. And with heightened emotions, pressures and risks, the month of May is a big deal for competitors.
And that’s why the Wienie 500 is a lovely respite and a highlight of Carb Day at IMS.
Where else can you see a bunch of Wienermobiles racing around a legendary 117-year-old track? And that’s the appetizer for the Indy 500, when drivers regularly top 200 miles per hour?
It’s a great addition to the Carb Day schedule, which historically has focused primarily on Indy 500 final practice, the Pit Stop competition and fan concerts. 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 scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at 12:30 pm 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 seen on FOX or stream on FOX One.
