Dogecoin Makes a Splash at Indy 500, Raises $26,000 for Children’s Hospital

Dogecoin’s signature Shiba Inu is back in the spotlight—this time on one of the world’s biggest racing stages. At this year’s Indianapolis 500, Devlin DeFrancesco’s IndyCar will sport a bold, Dogecoin-themed design, thanks to a unique collaboration aimed at both fan engagement and real-world impact.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Dogecoin Foundation, House of Doge, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and DeFrancesco himself. Ahead of the race, fans voted on the final livery from three custom designs, ultimately selecting a fiery concept called “Blaze.” The winning look now graces both the car and the driver’s helmet, making Dogecoin impossible to miss on race day.

DeFrancesco, who finished 13th at last year’s Indy 500, is still chasing a top-10 result. Though prediction markets like Polymarket give him less than a 1% chance of winning this year, he’s already capturing attention—just not solely for his driving.

Alongside the visual buzz, the Dogecoin sponsorship has fueled a charitable campaign that raised nearly 118,000 DOGE—valued at approximately $26,000—for Riley Children’s Foundation. The foundation supports Riley Children’s Health, one of the top neonatal care centers in the U.S., helping provide specialized treatment for newborns with complex conditions.

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman and NFL Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins even joined the effort, contributing 8,000 DOGE from a wallet he created during race weekend.

Adding a personal touch, DeFrancesco plans to auction off his Dogecoin-branded helmet after the race, with proceeds also going to the children’s hospital. The gesture carries special significance for the driver, who spent four months in an incubator after birth at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

While this marks Dogecoin’s debut at the Indy 500, it’s not the coin’s first lap in motorsports. The Dogecoin community previously backed a NASCAR car in 2014 and another in 2021. Its return to the track reflects a broader trend of cryptocurrency making inroads into professional sports.

Just last year, rival blockchain Polkadot sponsored Conor Daly’s IndyCar, and several sports teams globally have adopted crypto-based sponsorships and payment systems.