Pudgy Penguins, a brand that has successfully transitioned from an NFT collection to a prominent player in the crypto and consumer products market, is making waves as it partners with NASCAR for an exciting event this weekend. With their products available at major retailers like Walmart, Five Below, Target, and Amazon, the Pudgy Penguins brand has gained significant recognition.
This weekend marks a pivotal moment for Pudgy Penguins as they debut their partnership with NASCAR. The racing team HYAK Motorsports, home to driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the
47 Chevrolet car, has unveiled the car’s design featuring the Pudgy Penguins logo. The Southern 500 race is set to take place on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET, with live coverage on USA Network, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (CMCSA). Qualifying for the race will occur the day before, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, broadcasted on truTV.
“Pengu looks fast here,”
said Pudgy Penguins in a tweet alongside images of the car. This event represents one of the first public displays of their collaboration since the partnership was announced in June 2025. Steve Starobinsky, Head of Partnerships at Pudgy Penguins, expressed excitement over the event, stating,
“Over 2MM estimated viewers and hundreds of thousands more throughout the weekend in person! We are excited to drive top of the funnel awareness on the biggest stages and bring Pudgy Penguins to every nook & cranny of the USA.”
The involvement of cryptocurrencies in professional racing is not new; previous instances include Dogecoin (DOGE/USD) featuring on race cars in 2021 and on an IndyCar for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. However, the Pudgy Penguins’ foray into this arena marks a significant milestone in their brand evolution.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been a notable figure in NASCAR for over 14 years, having made his debut in 2011 and joining the league full-time in 2013. He was honored as the Rookie of the Year in 2013 and boasts several accolades, including winning the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2023. As of the 2025 racing season, Stenhouse ranks 29th among NASCAR drivers with a total of 436 points. Out of 26 races this season, he has not yet secured a win, with only three top 10 finishes and one top five finish. His average starting position stands at 28.385, while his average finishing position is 22.192.
Given Stenhouse’s current performance, the betting odds for the Pudgy Penguins car to win the Southern 500 are particularly enticing. According to DraftKings Inc. (DKNG), a $1 bet on Stenhouse Jr. to win could yield a profit of $250 if he crosses the finish line first.
Pudgy Penguins has experienced a notable resurgence in the NFT and cryptocurrency sectors since entrepreneur Luca Netz acquired the brand in April 2022. In 2025, interest in the Pudgy Penguins Coin (PENGU/USD) has surged, with the coin trading at approximately $0.03067, making it the 49th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization at $1.9 billion.
This weekend’s race not only showcases the Pudgy Penguins brand but also represents a significant step forward in its journey from digital assets to mainstream recognition. As the excitement builds for the Southern 500, fans and investors alike will be keenly observing the developments on and off the track.
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