The first indy 500 car to be sponsored by Bitcoin

In the 105th Indianapolis 500, held in May 2021, Ed Carpenter Racing announced that the No. 21 Chevrolet, driven by Rinus VeeKay, would be sponsored by Bitcoin. This marked a significant moment as it was one of the first instances where Bitcoin, rather than a company, sponsored a car in this prestigious racing event.
 

Team owner Ed Carpenter, who is personally invested in Bitcoin, was instrumental in bringing this idea to life. The sponsorship was not just a branding exercise; it was a community-funded effort. Bitcoin enthusiasts and supporters were encouraged to contribute to the sponsorship, and the car’s design featured a QR code that people could scan to donate Bitcoin directly to the team.
 

The No. 21 Bitcoin Chevrolet performed admirably in the race, securing a top 10 finish by placing eighth.