The Indianapolis 500 takes place on Memorial Day weekend every year. Last year, in a surprise move, Indy added a new event to the pre-race activities. Fans ate up the inaugural Wienie 500, so Oscar Mayer and NTT INDYCAR are serving it up again. I grew up in southern Wisconsin. Oscar Mayer is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Seeing the Wienermobiles cruising around makes everyone smile. Seeing them on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway made the race an instant hit. Oscar Mayer sent out a news release with nearly every pun possible announcing that the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 is back for more.
Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 Returns for Second Year
The Wienie 500 is back “With Sizzling New Twist”.
“The response to the first Wienie 500 was overwhelming, and we heard the fans loud and clear that they were hungry for more,” said Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer. “This year, we're supercharging the experience, delivering an even bigger, bolder and more unforgettable event that puts the fans at the forefront. With amplified engagement, intensified rivalries and more surprises in store, we're giving the people what they want – an unparalleled live experience that will leave them craving more.”
The second annual Wienie 500 will be back on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 22 leading up to the 110th Indianapolis 500. While Oscar Mayer sent out a light-hearted press release, auto racing is big business. Organizers are always looking for ways to draw more fans to motorsports and the Wienie 500 was a huge hit. Not only will the Wienermobile race be back but it will be broadcast live.
Memorial Day Tradition
The Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial kickoff to summer with barbeques nationwide. An estimated 72 million hot dogs are consumed that weekend alone. The original hot dog spectacle that saw six of the Wienermobiles competing last year drew 85,000 fans in the stands at IMS and 8 million more via livestream. The top speed on the track was 60 mph. This year’s race will once again feature six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles, who will be competing for the title of Top Dog.
Five of the traditional Wienermobiles will once again take the track but fans can vote for which regional favorite should compete in the sixth slot. This year, Slaw Dog (Southeast) is back to defend its title along with Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South) and Seattle Dog (Northwest). Last year, Sonoran Dog failed to cut the mustard, leaving a spot open for a new regional dog to enter the competition. Race fans can visit @Wienermobile on Instagram to cast their vote in the first-ever ‘Pick Your Dog’ Wienie 500 bracket where they can choose from a fresh lineup of seven new regional hot dogs or opt to give Sonoran Dog another shot at qualifying.
Oscar Mayer is promising that many of the features from the inaugural Wienie 500 are back for this year’s race, including custom Wienermobile decals, Hotdogger racing suits, the iconic “Wiener Song” anthem and finally, the trophy presentation at the “wieners circle” podium. They will even have their own version of the Borg-Warner trophy called the Borg-Wiener trophy.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles
Carl Mayer, a nephew of Oscar’s, created the first Wienermobile in 1936 as a promotion for the company. College students known as "Hotdoggers," travel the U.S. promoting Oscar Mayer. You often see them at parades or festivals. The Wienermobiles have condiment-themed interiors and the hotdoggers give out swag including signature Wiener Whistles.
The 27-foot-long Wienermobiles are built on a Chevrolet truck chassis. They are fitted with a fiberglass hot dog body and are powered by a Chevy 6.0L V8 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, making it a functional, road-legal vehicle with modern safety features. The engine has 350 horsepower.
Whether you love racing or not, you have to admit, it will be fun!
Oscar Mayer Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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