Driving like a Doge: Dogecoin-sponsored NASCAR races at Talladega

The internet, in more ways than one, is now NASCAR’s new best friend.

Josh Wise’s Dogecar has run its first NASCAR race at the famed Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Wise’s No. 98 car, adorned with Dogecoin’s beloved shiba inu on the bonnet and rear bumper, finished a respectable 20th place in the Aaron’s 499. Although Wise couldn’t quite scratch a win, the internet community and the cryptocurrency’s fans must see the achievement as a victory in itself.

Wise, prior to Talladega, ran the No. 98 car owned by Phil Parsons Racing team, without a sponsor. This all changed a few weeks ago, when fans on the /r/Dogecoin subreddit raised funds to sponsor the car. The community crowdsourced a massive US$55 000 which allowed Wise’s car the honour of being the first sponsored by a cryptocurrency in true “Doge NASCAR style.” As a perk of being a sponsor, Dogecoin had also received hours of publicity thanks to NASCAR’s national television broadcasts.

If you think that Dogecoin is a particularly strange sponsor for a motor racing team, remember that NASCAR had previously seen a Viagra-sponsored car a few years ago.

Fans of Dogecoin, NASCAR and more obtusely, Talladega Nights took to social media to express their delight.

@Josh_Wise Hey Josh, I made a poster for you. #dogecoin #shiba #doge #bitcoin #crypto @NASCAR #sprintallstar pic.twitter.com/YQGiWb6Hoo

— Justin Wu (@hackapreneur) April 28, 2014

Although some have lovingly embraced the new sponsor, other NASCAR faithful including the commentators, are still coming to grips with the strange world of Dogecoin. Here’s an excerpt from the race to prove just how clueless the commentators are:

http://youtu.be/K5nTwq5zlrw

We hope that this sponsorship will last for an entire season. If not, perhaps some day NASCAR or Formula 1 may just see a team owned entirely by Dogecoin fans? Very crowdsourcing.

Image: via Phil Parsons Racing