Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports announced April 9 that Polkadot will serve as the primary sponsor for the No. 24 Chevrolet driven by Conor Daly in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26.
This partnership represents the first time a major athlete's sponsorship has been decided by a vote using blockchain technology. With Polkadot's support, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports aims to showcase the power of collaboration and innovation in the racing world.
The proposal to sponsor Daly passed with an overwhelming 95.8% approval, demonstrating the community's eagerness to showcase blockchain technology’s real-world applications and Polkadot’s vision for a freer, more open web (Web3). Launched in 2020 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, Polkadot is positioned to serve as the powerful, secure core of Web3. Polkadot’s decentralized governance places the community at the center of decision-making processes; every holder of the Polkadot token (DOT) has a voice toward shaping the platform’s future direction.
“The fact that thousands of individuals in the Polkadot community – not a corporate marketing team – used their voices to vote and select me as their ambassador is an incredible honor and reflective of the power of what a more free and open internet can look like in the future," Daly said. "The fact that I’m racing not just for a brand name or logo but representing developers, investors and regular people that are building tomorrow’s web is thrilling and overwhelming. We’re bringing power back to people, while making sports history.”
Said Chris Wade, the Polkadot community member who championed the proposal: “This landmark sponsorship proves the transformative power and trust of blockchain technology in making a previously exclusive process open and inclusive. It’s a testament to Polkadot’s forward-thinking innovative community, robust network and progressive governance model. It's a blueprint for future collaborations.”
This collaboration represents a significant shift from the traditional models of sports sponsorships, which are typically negotiated behind closed doors. By using Polkadot's OpenGov platform for decentralized governance, the Polkadot community is pioneering a new, transparent way to engage with sponsorships, showcasing the immense potential of blockchain technology to enable transparent, community-led decision-making in the realm of sports and beyond.
"We are delighted to welcome Polkadot as the primary sponsor of the 24 car for the Indianapolis 500," said Dennis Reinbold, owner of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. “Polkadot's commitment to technological advancement and pushing boundaries aligns perfectly with our team's ethos of excellence and continuous improvement. Together, we aim to make a significant impact on and off the track and reach fans worldwide.
Polkadot, a leading blockchain platform enabling interoperability between different blockchains, sees this partnership as an opportunity to connect with stakeholders and showcase its commitment to innovation and performance. For more information, visit polkadot.network.
Daly, from Indianapolis, is attempting to make his 11th Indianapolis 500 start. He finished sixth and eighth in 2022 and 2023, respectively.