This week, the NASCAR world got a colorful surprise when Hyak Motorsports unveiled something no one saw coming: a bright blue and white No. 47 Chevrolet covered in cartoon penguins.

Not just any penguins, but NFT penguins from the Pudgy Penguins collection, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will take this digital-age paint scheme to Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500, marking one of the most eye-catching crossovers between crypto culture and stock car racing.

How Did Pudgy Penguins Land on a NASCAR Chevrolet?

Hyak Motorsports dropped the announcement on social media platform X with minimal fanfare, posting a sleek image of the Chevrolet alongside the caption, “‼️NEW‼️ Penguin pit crew loading……🐧”. The design mirrors the light sky blue and white aesthetic of Pengu, the cartoonish digital penguin character that serves as the face of the NFT brand.

The official Pudgy Penguins account quickly jumped into the conversation, commenting enthusiastically on the post: “Pengu looks fast here 👀”.

This partnership isn’t a random marketing stunt. Last month, a project security director, Beau, laid out the company’s strategy, stating that Pudgy Penguins prioritizes “partnering with Lufthansa and NASCAR” over other ventures. The NFT firm has been deliberately targeting major brands to “develop together,” positioning this NASCAR collaboration as part of a calculated push into mainstream culture.

The project describes itself as a web3-born brand that fosters creativity, freedom, and community through content and merchandise. For Pudgy Penguins, which began as a 2021 NFT collection and evolved into a global cultural phenomenon, getting prime real estate on Stenhouse’s car at a legendary track like Darlington represents massive exposure.

What Are Fans Saying About This NFT-NASCAR Crossover?

The reveal sparked an immediate flood of reactions that split right down the middle. Supporters couldn’t contain their excitement about the bold visual approach. One fan exclaimed, “FREAKIN AWESOME…WIN IT!!!,”

Another requested, “NEED A DIECAST PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE”.

The crypto community showed particular enthusiasm, with one fan bridging both worlds perfectly: “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.”

However, skeptics didn’t hold back their criticism. One fan commented bluntly, “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”.

The pushback extended beyond social media, with Reddit users questioning both the legitimacy of NFTs and Hyak’s sponsor choices. One called crypto a “scam that is a drain on energy resources and only serves the rich.” Another expressed confusion about the team’s partnerships, noting, “This team has some of the most random sponsors. Half of the companies I don’t think are real”.

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Despite the polarized reception, this partnership highlights NASCAR’s ongoing evolution in sponsorship strategies. Teams are increasingly looking beyond traditional industries, exploring emerging digital markets for revenue opportunities. Whether fans embrace or reject this trend, the bright blue penguin car heading to Darlington has already accomplished one goal: getting everyone talking.