Slaw Dog Takes the Crown in Sizzling Debut of Wienie 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

 

Amid the roar of engines, the scent of grilled meats, and the laughter of thousands, history was made Friday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. No, it wasn’t a warm-up for the Indy 500. It was the first-ever “Wienie 500” — a hot dog-fueled spectacle unlike anything the Brickyard has ever seen.

And when the buns settled, it was the “Slaw Dog,” representing the Southeast, that steamed its way to victory.

The event, dreamed up by the folks at Oscar Mayer in partnership with IMS, saw six regionally-themed Wienermobiles race in a comical, adrenaline-charged contest across two laps of the 2.5-mile oval. The race, part of the track’s expanded Carb Day celebrations, added a flavorful twist to a weekend already packed with tradition, competition, and now, condiments.

A Saucy Showdown

Decked out in pickled green trim and mustard yellow wheels, the Slaw Dog stood out early. Piloted by Hotdoggers Sarah “Savory” Oney and Connor “Catchup” Wolff, the Southeast entry darted through the competition with surprising agility for a 27-foot-long frankfurter on wheels.

The Chicago Dog — a fierce contender dripping with hometown pride — led for most of the first lap. With relish-colored rims and a poppy seed bun paint job, it was a fan favorite and had the confidence to match.

But coming into Turn 4 on the final lap, Slaw Dog pulled off a daring inside move, catching the Windy City weenie by surprise.

“We timed it just right,” said Oney, still breathless after the win. “We drafted behind the New York Dog until Turn 2, then we saw our opening. I yelled, ‘Now!’ and Connor floored it. That slaw traction came in handy!”

The Slaw Dog edged out its rival by less than a pickle’s length, crossing the finish line to a wave of cheers, flying ketchup-and-mustard confetti, and the triumphant blast of a giant squeeze bottle horn.

The Wienermobiles: Racing Icons of a Different Flavor

The Wienermobile has long been a rolling icon of American kitsch and culinary joy. Since its original debut in 1936, it has undergone multiple transformations, always keeping its unmistakable hot-dog-on-a-bun shape but evolving with the times.

For the Wienie 500, each of the six participating Wienermobiles received custom liveries to represent regional hot dog styles:

• Slaw Dog (Southeast) – Topped with faux cabbage slaw detailing and barbecue accents.

• Chicago Dog (Midwest) – Dressed in neon relish green with faux sport peppers.

• Chili Dog (South) – Slathered in brown and red, with decals resembling drips of chili and cheese.

• Seattle Dog (Northwest) – Decorated in cream cheese swirl patterns and grilled onion graphics.

• New York Dog (East Coast) – Simple and classy with yellow mustard pinstripes and sauerkraut decals.

• Sonoran Dog (Southwest) – Adorned in bacon wrap motifs and jalapeño striping.

Each vehicle was driven by official Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers — full-time ambassadors who typically cruise across the country spreading “meaty joy” and photo ops. For this event, though, it was all business.

“The Wienermobile was born to drive, but today, it was born to race,” said Hotdogger Marcus “Meat Stick” Randall, who piloted the Sonoran Dog. “We trained for this. We carbo-loaded on buns. We studied race tape of last year’s food truck rallies. This was our Indy 500.”

Fans Eat It Up

Spectators were all smiles, with children on shoulders and fans waving foam hot dogs like flags. The stands were packed with curious racegoers, die-hard hot dog fans, and plenty of bewildered newcomers.

“I came for the pit stop challenge,” said 62-year-old Indy native Paul Harrington, “but I stayed for the hot dog drag race. I haven’t laughed this hard at the Speedway since I saw a squirrel run across the track in ‘91.”

Concession stands joined in the fun, offering themed dog combos for each region, and a limited-edition “Victory Slaw Dog,” which sold out within 30 minutes of the race’s end.

IMS President Doug Boles praised the event’s light-hearted spirit. “We’re always looking for ways to expand the magic of the Indy 500 weekend,” he said. “The Wienie 500 brought something totally new. It was funny, it was fast, and it was fun for the whole family.”

What’s Next for the Wiener Circuit?

Oscar Mayer hasn’t confirmed if the Wienie 500 will become an annual tradition, but the overwhelming success of the inaugural race has tongues wagging (and stomachs rumbling).

“We’re not saying it’ll be bigger than the Indy 500,” laughed Oscar Mayer spokesperson Kelsey Rice, “but we do believe there’s room for both horsepower and pork power at the Speedway.”

Slaw Dog's victory earns its team bragging rights, a golden spatula trophy, and a year’s supply of Oscar Mayer hot dogs — which they promptly donated to a local Indianapolis food pantry.

As the sun set over the IMS, the Slaw Dog rolled toward Victory Lane, flanked by waving flags, photo flashes, and a brass band playing a triumphant — and slightly off-key — rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

And just like that, in the heartland of American motorsport, the world’s first high-octane hot dog race became a beloved new chapter in racing history.

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