Start Your Grills: The Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 Heats Up Year Two With Delightful Race Day Traditions and First-Ever Fan Pick

By: The Kraft Heinz Company via Business Wire

May 18, 2026 at 07:00 AM EDT

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Hot dog lovers nationwide can tune in live on FOX as Team Corn Dog makes its race-day debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

After a breakout debut that quickly became a summer sensation — drawing 85,000 fans in the stands and 8 million streaming live via the Fox Sports app and @INDYCARonFOX social platforms — Oscar Mayer is firing up the grills and revving up for the second annual Wienie 500. Returning Friday, May 22, all six Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a high-stakes race to crown the Top Dog. The race kicks off summer, proving that even the most unexpected places — like a professional racetrack — are the perfect setting for an Oscar Mayer wiener. Now back for another lap, the Wienie 500 brings new competition, refreshed race-day livery, special guests and can’t-miss entertainment — all broadcast live on FOX.

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Oscar Mayer is firing up the grills and revving up for the second annual Wienie 500. Returning Friday, May 22, all six Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a high-stakes race to crown the Top Dog.

Earlier this year, Oscar Mayer handed the keys to fans with its first-ever “Pick Your Dog” bracket, letting America decide who would claim the coveted sixth spot. The results? Corn Dog is officially in, bumping Sonoran Dog and joining Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest) and reigning champion Slaw Dog (Southeast) in a high-stakes race around the Brickyard to see who cuts the mustard. With a new contender in the mix, teams are hungrier than ever and ready to show off their well-cooked strategy to make it to the “Wieners Circle.”

All six Wienermobiles and racing suits will debut new colors, decals and designs, and for the first time in over a decade, the brand is dropping limited-edition Wiener Whistles to mark the occasion. And this year, Oscar Mayer is bringing serious horsepower: Nolan Siegel, Stingray Rob, Scott McLaughlin and fellow INDYCAR SERIES drivers will coach the Hotdoggers, offering pro-level racing tips as teams compete for the coveted Borg-Wiener Trophy. Together, it’s a one-of-a-kind delightful racing experience only Oscar Mayer can deliver.

Fans at home can get in on the bun-derful action by purchasing exclusive Wienie 500 merchandise at shop.ims.com and casting their vote for who will take Top Dog on Instacart — correct predictions will score free Oscar Mayer wieners while supplies last.

“Last year’s inaugural race proved the Wienie 500 is more than just a one-time spectacle, it’s a real race cemented in culture,” said Kelsey Rice, Brand Communications Director at Oscar Mayer. “This year, we are turbo-charging all race elements to give fans a fresh take on the disarmingly delightful experience they fell in love with year one. From ushering in Team Corn Dog to bringing in the pros, we are going all-in to encourage fans everywhere to pick up Oscar Mayer wieners, kick off summer and enjoy the ride with us.”

Race day coverage begins live on FOX and FOX One at 2:00pm ET on Friday, May 22. FOX INDYCAR play-by-play announcer Will Buxton again calls the race alongside FOX INDYCAR analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe, with pit reporting by Georgia Henneberry and Kevin Lee. For more information on the meatiest race in motorsports, including how to purchase tickets, attend watch parties at Tom’s Watch Bar locations across the country and get in on other fan engagement opportunities, follow @OscarMayer, @Wienermobile, @IndianapolisMotorSpeedway and @IndyCarOnFox on Instagram and TikTok.

*To learn more about the Instacart promotion see official rules HERE.

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with approximately $25 billion in net sales in 2025 and a portfolio of iconic brands enjoyed by consumers in more than 40 countries. By investing in our capabilities and brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Primal Kitchen, and Lunchables, we are unlocking the full power of our portfolio. We deliver high-quality, great-tasting, and affordable food for the consumers of today, while shaping the future of food. Learn more at www.kraftheinzcompany.com.