The biggest race in NASCAR is almost here! The Indy 500 happens at the end of May when racers from all over make their way to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They’ll race head-to-head for 500 miles and we’ll be glued to the track for all the action. However, watching drivers race for 500 miles can sure make you hungry. So before you gear up for the race, you better plan some tasty tailgate party food to snack on while you watch the race.
To help you plan your menu, we put together a list of some of the most famous NASCAR-inspired foods. Some of these dishes have a long history with the game. Others are favorites around Indianapolis where the race is held. We also included some dishes inspired by the NASCAR Refuel station for those who love the stadium favorites but can’t make it to the race this year. Let’s get started:
Give Your Tailgating Pit Crew A Flying Start
All great tailgate party food starts with a large spread of tasty appetizers. Here’s what we’re serving up:
St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail
Elmo Langley was a famous NASCAR driver from the 1950s. He drove with the number 64 and placed in the top at almost as many races. However, beyond his illustrious career, he left another legacy behind. His St. Elmo’s hot sauce. Paired perfectly with shrimp, this is an essential NASCAR tailgate party food dish.
Marc’s Race Day Dip
There’s probably nothing more popular at NASCAR than pizza. Pizza is the perfect food for watching the race. It’s easy to eat without mess, tastes fantastic, and keeps you full the whole race. If you’re watching the race from home, try this race day pizza dip as an appetizer. You may eat so much, you don’t need anything else!
Fully-Loaded Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a perfect tailgate party food. Easy to make, no mess, and can be served with a napkin. However, deviled eggs can get a little plain. However, these deviled eggs have spices, cheese, and even bacon! They’re a great starter!
Keep Your Pit Crew Full For 200 Laps
For main dishes, we’re sticking with all the NASCAR favorites. Here’s what to make:
Hoosier Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
There’s probably no more famous Indy 500 sandwich than the pork tenderloin sandwich. Served at the NASCAR Refuel, it’s a must-have for the race. A giant breaded tenderloin sits on top of a soft bun with lots of pickles. Top with a little hot sauce and it’s like you’re at the race.
Daytona Speedway Firecracker Dog
Savor the iconic Daytona firecracker dog, a culinary masterpiece that elevates the classic hot dog to new heights. This mouthwatering creation features a savory beef hotdog nestled in a toasted bun, complemented by homemade jalapeno coleslaw and zesty red pepper relish. Inspired by the culinary experts at the Food Channel, this dish is sure to excite your palate and earn its place among your NASCAR recipes!
Triple Decker Grilled Cheese
That’s right. Three, count them–THREE–layers of grilled cheese! The triple-decker grilled cheese uses delicious sharp cheddar, creamy goat’s milk, and stringy mozzarella cheese to make the perfect cheesy combination.
Pastrami Burger Bomb Recipe
Ready to try a new topping on your burger? Layer up the pastrami. It adds a smoky, salty, tangy kick to a basic burger. Pile it with some coleslaw for an Indy 500 favorite. This burger is easy to make and offers a fun NASCAR-themed twist your guests will love!
Prime Rib Sandwich With Au Jus
Probably second only to the fried tenderloin sandwich, the prime rib sandwich is NASCAR must. Served with a savory au jus dipping sauce, it’s a messy but heavenly NASCAR main dish. Make sure to layer up the cheddar cheese for the perfect gooey melt.
Doughnut Burger
We never would have thought about putting a burger on a doughnut, but we’re glad someone did! The combination of the sticky sweet doughnut goes perfect with the smokey salty of the burger. To make it a proper NASCAR meal, make sure to load it with bacon and cheese! Be warned though, you may never want to go back to normal buns.
Creamy Baked Homemade Mac & Cheese
Finally, perfect as a main or a side if you’d like, this creamy baked homemade mac and cheese will definitely power you through the race. It uses two kinds of cheese cooked into a thick roux. Then the elbow mac is smothered and baked to have a crunchy top. It’s a dense and delicious way to watch the race.
Take Your Victory Lap With These Sweet Finishes
Once the game is over, it’s time to celebrate with a little dessert. We’ve put together two dessert options. One for kids and one for adults:
Candy Bar Race Cars
This recipe takes a variety of different candies and makes little cars. Kids will love these. They’ll race them around the track before carefully eating them one part at a time. Honestly, adults will love them too because who doesn’t love candy.
Victory Lap MilkShake
The Victory Lap milkshake is always how we finish off the Indy 500 at the stadium. It’s a heavenly salted caramel milkshake topped with a chocolate chip cookie with a special surprise: Jack Daniels. This creamy boozy concoction is the perfect way to cool down after the race has been won.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this list of recipes helps you prepare your tailgate party food for the NASCAR 500. Many of these recipes are linked to the rich history of NASCAR and are crowd favorites for a reason. Let us know in the comments what you’ll be making, we’d love to hear! If you’re looking for more recipes for tailgate party food, check out our food section. We scour the internet for tasty recipes perfect for tailgating. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
