24-05-2025
Time to ketchup: Here's what happened during the inaugural Oscar Mayer Wienie 500
It's not everyday you get to see a 27-foot-long hot dog bus. But what about six?
On Friday, the six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles − yes, there are six − gathered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to participate in the inaugural Oscar Mayer Wienie 500. Two "Hotdoggers," the fresh college graduates who drive the Wienermobiles, sported Indy 500-style attire as they loaded up to race around the track.
The Wienie 500 was held on Carb Day, the final practice day before Indianapolis 500 kicks off on Sunday, May 25.
Miss the wienie race? Here's what to know about the inaugural Oscar Mayer Wienie 500.
More Wienermobile: I rode 'shot-bun' in the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Then we got pulled over.
The inaugural Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 was held on Friday, May 23 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Slaw Dog took home first place. The 27-foot-long winning bus, which represented the "Saucy South," was driven by Grill Master Matthew Bailey of Madison, Georgia and Mustard Maddie Meyers of Kirkwood, Missouri.
"I MUSTARD'mit, I will relish this moment forever," Mustard Maddie shared on her Instagram Story after the race.
Fox Sports streamed the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 on its social media sites.
Over the course of a year, the Hotdoggers visit different regions of the country from inside the Wienermobile: East, Southeast, South, Midwest, Northwest and Southwest. During the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500, each of the Wienermobiles represented a regional hot dog. Here's how to grill them up:
New York Dog (East): Kosher hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and homemade onion sauce, sat between a bun smothered in spicy brown mustard, as shared by Bobby Flay per Food Network
Slaw Dog (Southeast): Hot dog topped with homemade chili, mustard and creamy coleslaw, per a recipe by Spicy Southern Kitchen
Chili Dog (South): Hot dog topped with homemade chili and cheddar cheese, as outlined by Food Network
Chi Dog (Midwest): All-beef frankfurter, like Vienna Beef, inside a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, pickle relish, chopped white onion, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers and celery salt, as reported by New York Times Cooking
Seattle Dog (Northwest): Hots dog topped with cream cheese, sauerkraut, brown mustard and sweet onions, per Allrecipes
Sonoran Dog (Southwest): Hog dog wrapped in bacon and topped with pinto beans, onions, jalapeno salsa and tomatoes, as shared by Serious Eats
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is Oscar Mayer's hot dog on wheels − a 27-foot-long hot dog-shaped bus used to advertise the brand. Today, six Wienermobiles travel throughout six different regions of the country.
The Wienermobile made its first appearance in 1936 but it looked a bit different than it does today. A 13-foot-long metal hog dog on wheels was the first iteration of the Wienermobile. The vehicle featured an open cockpit, so the driver was seen sticking out of the top of the hot dog, according to Oscar Mayer. By 1940, a glass enclosure was added to better protect the driver.
In 1952, after taking a hiatus during World War II, five 22-foot-long Wienermobiles began traveling throughout the country, per Oscar Mayer. They were the first to have a sound system and sunroof.
The Wienermobile continued to adapt over the years and today's fleet has remained the same since about 2004, according to Oscar Mayer. The vehicle is made of custom fiberglass and contains a V-8, 6.0 liter engine. As for the interior, each Wienermobile features a hog dog-shaped dashboard, six mustard and ketchup seats, a 52-inch flat screen television, gull-wing doors with retractable steps, a removable roof, blue sky ceilings and a wiener jingle horn.
To find a Wienermobile near you, visit the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile locator at You can also request the Wienermobile to visit near you on the Oscar Mayer website at
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Time to ketchup: What happened during inaugural Oscar Mayer Wienie 500
