The Friday leading up to the Indianapolis 500 is set to look quite different this year.
Why? Well, it’s all thanks to six hot dogs on wheels speeding around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Referred to as the Wienie 500, these six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles are gearing up for their inaugural racing event on the iconic track during Friday’s “Carb Day.”
Here’s what you should know.
What is Wienie 500?
This year marks the very first Wienie 500, with all six Wienermobiles making their rounds at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“The Indy 500 is often seen as the unofficial start of summer and hot dog season,” said Kelsey Rice, Oscar Mayer’s director of brand communications, in a press release. “It feels right to bring a fun, epic race to the Speedway and celebrate such a cherished tradition.
The Wienermobiles completed several practice laps on Thursday, getting ready for the big day.
And, yes, there’s even a hype video for the first Wienie 500.
Which six Wienermobiles are participating?
As mentioned, the Wienie 500 features six Wienermobiles, each representing a different region of the U.S. They are Kai (Midwest), New York (East), Slow (Southeast), Sonolaan (Southwest), Chile (Southwest), and Seattle (Northwest).
Why is this happening?
Simply put, it’s all about fun. We enjoy fun, right?
Even the drivers seem thrilled.
It’s a great time out there.
Plus, the race includes exciting elements. “From custom racing suits to trophy ceremonies at ‘Wiener’s Circle,’ every detail aims to create a joyful atmosphere,” they noted.
Speaking of trophies, check this one out:
I’m sure we can expect quite a few mustard-covered fans, right?
And if a mayonnaise bowl can be that big, why not this, too?
What is “Carb Day”?
Now let’s delve into some history regarding the Indianapolis 500.
“Carb Day” is a nod to the old days when teams would adjust carburetors on gas-powered cars. Although carburetors are long gone, the term has stuck around in this hybrid-powered Indycar era due to the day’s rich traditions and mystique.
I recalled a chat last year with Alexander Rossi, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2016, about what takes place on Carb Day.
For teams, race engines take center stage.
For drivers, they want to minimize the number of drivers in the mix.
“Yeah, Friday is a bit challenging, as the gap on track is the largest, so the insights and feelings from Carb Day can often be misleading,” Rossi said last May. “It’s tough not to overreact; you might feel discouraged when things seem off, but I’ve learned to trust the month’s results. ‘Please don’t tweak anything. The car was solid, so hopefully, it will perform well on Sunday.’”
“So, Friday is crucial for us; race engines are inspected. The car is taken apart for analysis and testing. You want to break in the new engine and ensure everything runs smoothly,” he continued.
“You also try to limit laps since there’s always some risk involved; you definitely don’t want to damage the race car.”
It’s perhaps better to see some wienermobiles get hurt instead.
How do I watch the Wienie 500?
If you’re still reading this, shout out to Mom.
But seriously, if you want to catch the Wienie 500, it’ll be streamed live on the Fox Sports app on Friday, May 23rd, at 2 p.m. ET and also on the @indycaronfox social media account.
Fans can also enjoy highlights before the Sunday Indy 500 pre-race on FOX.
