The first Linux-sponsored car in the Indianapolis 500 was also the first car to crash at the event on Sunday.

A Tux500 internet campaign raised enough funds to put the penguin logo on the front of the Chastain Motorsports car.

But the car crashed on the infamous first corner less than a quarter of the way through the 500-mile race.

The Tux500 project was the brainchild of two enthusiasts, Bob Moore and Ken Starks, and was set up with the intention of raising $350,000 and building a Team Linux car.

In the end the project raised just $18,308 and settled for a sticker on the front of Chastain Motorsports car No.77, driven by Roberto Moreno.

"Maybe it was just too much to hope for," team boss Tom Chastain told the Indianapolis Star with a sigh as he surveyed the wreckage in Gasoline Alley.

"I wanted to race with the big boys and I guess I did. Maybe next year I'll pick goals that are a little bit more realistic."

The team plans to race again next year.