Oscar Mayer’s Wienie 500 returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22 during Carb Day festivities
A novelty race that became a race-weekend staple
The “Wienie 500,” a short-format race featuring Oscar Mayer’s six Wienermobiles, is scheduled to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 22, 2026, as part of Miller Lite Carb Day programming ahead of the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24.
The event debuted during Carb Day in May 2025 on the Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval and quickly became one of the weekend’s most talked-about sideshows, drawing significant in-person attention and a large online audience through the event’s livestream distribution. Organizers are bringing it back for a second consecutive year after the inaugural edition generated substantial interest beyond traditional motorsports fans.
What the Wienie 500 is and how it fits into Carb Day
Carb Day is traditionally the final on-track practice day before the Indianapolis 500, paired with additional fan programming, including the Pit Stop Challenge and a concert. The Wienie 500 is designed as a complementary on-track attraction rather than a sanctioned IndyCar event, using the same historic facility while leaning into pageantry and fan participation.
In 2025, the Wienie 500 ran as a two-lap competition with multiple lead changes and a tightly contested finish. The winning vehicle was the “Slaw Dog,” representing the Southeast, which narrowly finished ahead of the “Chi Dog,” representing the Midwest.
Cars, themes and returning entries
The concept centers on Oscar Mayer’s fleet of Wienermobiles, each outfitted with regional hot dog-themed graphics. For 2026, multiple entries are expected to return, including:
- Slaw Dog (Southeast)
- Chi Dog (Midwest)
- New York Dog (East)
- Chili Dog (South)
- Seattle Dog (Northwest)
The sixth entry is expected to be determined through a fan-vote format tied to the remaining regional option(s), reflecting a broader effort to make the event more interactive for spectators and online viewers.
Presentation, broadcast distribution and what may change in 2026
The 2026 edition is expected to preserve the on-brand race presentation introduced in 2025, including themed “Hotdogger” racing suits for drivers and a post-race “wieners circle” celebration. Organizers have signaled an expanded emphasis on fan participation and added elements designed to heighten the spectacle.
Carb Day has long balanced serious Indianapolis 500 preparation with fan entertainment; the Wienie 500 has now become a signature example of that mix.
With the event returning on the same Friday as the final Indy 500 practice and other Carb Day programming, the Wienie 500 is positioned as a repeatable, annually recognizable feature of Indianapolis 500 weekend—anchored in the Speedway’s traditions while tailored for modern, livestream-friendly viewing.