Dogecoin’s Shiba Inu Mascot is Racing Into the Spotlight

The meme-inspired cryptocurrency will be prominently displayed on Devlin DeFrancesco’s IndyCar at the Indianapolis 500

Dogecoin, the meme-inspired cryptocurrency Shiba Inu mascot, is racing into the spotlight once again.

This time, the coin will be prominently displayed on IndyCar driver Devlin DeFrancesco’s vehicle at the Indianapolis 500, one of America’s most-watched motorsport events.

The initiative is backed by a partnership involving the Dogecoin Foundation, House of Doge, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and the driver himself.

In the weeks leading up to the race, Dogecoin supporters selected the car’s final livery through a community vote, choosing from three DOGE-themed designs.

The winning look, called Blaze, will feature prominently on both the vehicle and the driver’s helmet.

Although DeFrancesco has yet to crack the top 10 at the Indy 500—his best finish was 13th in 2023—he remains a fan favorite. His odds of winning this year sit below 1%, according to crypto-based prediction market Polymarket.

Still, the campaign’s real traction may come off the track.

A fundraising initiative linked to the Dogecoin sponsorship has raised 117,947 DOGE, or roughly $26,000, for Riley Children’s Foundation.

The organization supports Riley Children’s Health, one of the top neonatology centers in the United States.

NFL Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins added to the momentum with an 8,000 DOGE donation from a self-custodial wallet created during the race weekend.

The donations will support intensive care treatment for newborns with complex medical conditions.

Following the race, DeFrancesco plans to auction off his Dogecoin-themed helmet, with proceeds also going to Riley Children’s Hospital.

Notably, the driver once spent four months in an incubator at Sunnybrook Hospital in downtown Toronto.

Meanwhile, this isn’t Dogecoin’s first motorsport sponsorship. The crypto community previously funded a NASCAR car in 2014 and backed another entry in 2021.

Now, its presence at the Indy 500 marks a renewed effort to combine digital currency fandom with real-world impact.

Essentially, this Dogecoin campaign underscores crypto’s growing visibility in professional sports.

Last year, Polkadot’s branding appeared on Conor Daly’s IndyCar, and several major teams across leagues have adopted crypto payments and sponsorships.