Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is set to make headlines at Darlington Raceway with a brand-new look tied to the emerging digital world, as he brings the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Pudgy Penguins NASCAR car to the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500. The car’s vibrant blue and white paint scheme, covered with cartoon penguins from the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection, marks an innovative fusion between the web3 community and mainstream stock car racing.
NFT Penguins Take Center Stage on the Track
This week, Hyak Motorsports revealed their eye-catching Chevrolet No. 47, featuring the Pudgy Penguins NFT brand, with a low-key post on social media platform X. Their announcement showcased the sky-blue and white vehicle, its design reflecting Pengu—the iconic mascot of Pudgy Penguins—bringing the popular NFT collection from the digital marketplace directly onto one of NASCAR’s most recognized circuits.
The Pudgy Penguins project itself publicly celebrated the collaboration with the comment, “Pengu looks fast here 👀”. This partnership isn’t a one-off marketing play. Last month, Beau, a security director with Pudgy Penguins, explained that the group is intentionally developing substantial collaborations, highlighting partnerships with giants such as Lufthansa and organizations like NASCAR. The strategy aims to integrate Pudgy Penguins into established mainstream platforms, using partnerships like this NASCAR venture to reach new audiences and reinforce the brand’s global appeal.
Originating in 2021 as a web3 initiative, Pudgy Penguins has expanded from being a simple NFT collection into a cultural phenomenon renowned for its celebration of creativity, freedom, and online community. With the addition of their brand’s visuals to Stenhouse’s car for one of stock car racing’s historic events, Pudgy Penguins secures prominent exposure and validates their push into major entertainment arenas such as NASCAR.
Fan Reactions Span the Spectrum
The unveiling of the Pudgy Penguins-themed car immediately fueled heated discussions among both NASCAR fans and crypto enthusiasts, quickly dividing opinions. The vivid paint scheme drew enthusiastic praise from supporters, including one who declared, “FREAKIN AWESOME…WIN IT!!!” —fan. Calls for official replicas quickly followed, with another fan exclaiming,
“NEED A DIECAST PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE”
—fan.
The crossover’s supporters in the cryptocurrency community celebrated the collaboration as well, with one excited fan stating,
“as a @pudgypenguins holder and $pengu whale. Also a big fan of NASCAR and Ricky, can I get a piece of sheet metal after the race, please? photo for proof.”
—U B, fan
Yet, strong skepticism emerged alongside the enthusiasm. One commenter openly challenged the decision, remarking,
“An NFT sponsor in the year of our lord 2025 are we fr lmao. Y’all can’t be that down bad for sponsors come on now”
—fan. Others, particularly on Reddit, questioned both the same trend of NFT sponsorships and the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies themselves. One user argued,
“scam that is a drain on energy resources and only serves the rich.”
—user, while another raised concerns about sponsor credibility, observing,
“This team has some of the most random sponsors. Half of the companies I don’t think are real”
—user.
An Evolving Sponsorship Landscape in NASCAR
Despite mixed reviews, the Pudgy Penguins and Hyak Motorsports partnership highlights a shifting sponsorship landscape across NASCAR. As revenue streams diversify, racing teams are increasingly targeting partnerships outside of conventional brands, exploring digital-first companies and the web3 universe for exposure and financial backing. While reactions to the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Pudgy Penguins NASCAR car remain split, the collaboration has already achieved significant buzz by bridging motorsport traditions with modern online culture, drawing both praise and criticism from diverse corners of the fan base.
As the Cook Out Southern 500 approaches at Darlington Raceway, the spotlight will be firmly on Stenhouse’s penguin-adorned car, signifying both an ambitious marketing experiment and a sign of how sports teams are adapting to new opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Industry watchers are now waiting to see if this crossover marks a one-time spectacle or the start of a lasting trend in NASCAR sponsorship strategy.
