INDIANAPOLIS – This May, the iconic Wienermobiles are set to return to the Brickyard, ready to take center stage during racing’s most celebrated weekend.

Oscar Mayer has confirmed that all six of its beloved vehicles will once again race on the prestigious 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event, known as the Wienie 500, is slated for May 22, coinciding with the annual Carburation Day festivities.

After last year’s successful debut, organizers were eager to offer fans another chance to enjoy this whimsical race, just days before the Indianapolis 500, the highlight of the IndyCar series.

The event will maintain the same charm as last year, ensuring fans a familiar and entertaining spectacle.

Each Wienermobile will be adorned with toppings that celebrate a different American regional specialty, complete with custom decals. Drivers will sport Hotdogger racing suits, and the beloved “Wiener Song” will play as the winning vehicle enters the “wieners circle.”

Slaw Dog, representing the Southeast, will attempt to defend its title. Joining the competition will be other regional favorites: Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), and Seattle Dog (Northwest).

But the Sonoran Dog may be replaced after failing to cut the mustard in 2025.

Fans can choose the final entrant from a menu of seven possibilities, including the Sonoran Dog, by visiting Instagram in the first “Pick Your Dog” Wienie 500 bracket. Updates will be provided on the Instagram account or on TikTok.

“The response to the first Wienie 500 was overwhelming, and we heard the fans loud and clear that they were hungry for more,” Kelsey Rice, Oscar Mayer brand communications director said in a statement. “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.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing