Domestic Fuel

Former NASCAR driver and owner of Richard Childress Racing thinks the racing series could go to higher ethanol blends sometime in the future.

Despite media attention regarding an “incident” between him and driver Kyle Busch on Saturday, Richard Childress was happy to come by the American Ethanol tent Sunday and voice his support for corn farmers and the domestically produced fuel.

“I’m a farmer myself and I understand the livelihood of farmers and I think it’s great for America what they are doing to help us not to have to depend on as much foreign energy,” he said. “I hope some day we can run it all on ethanol.”

Childress believes there is a good possibility that NASCAR could go to an even higher ethanol blend than the 15% started this year. “We tested the 30 and it ran really well but I think NASCAR wants to ease into it with fuel injection coming,” he added.

The American Ethanol paint job decorated the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driven by Clint Bowyer at Kansas Speedway on Sunday.

Listen to my interview with Richard Childress here: Richard Childress Supports Ethanol

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

Corn growers are very proud to be a part of bringing the story of ethanol to the nation through NASCAR.

I talked with National Corn Growers Association president Bart Schott (right) of North Dakota and NCGA chairman Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota who were at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at the Kansas Speedway Sunday where American Ethanol was prominently displayed.

“This is the kick off and we’ve been waiting for it to come,” said Schott. “NASCAR has an 80 million fan base that is getting some real positive messages on burning a higher blend of ethanol.” All NASCAR series are running this season on a 15 percent ethanol blend.

Ihnen says they have a great representation at the race from corn farmers and ethanol producers, and they are getting a great message out to the fans with a big American Ethanol exhibit, especially when it comes to making the country less dependent on foreign oil. “The NASCAR fans, when they were polled, energy security is one of their major concerns,” said Ihnen.

Both Schott and Ihnen noted American corn growers are very able to grow enough corn to meet demand for all needs, including ethanol, despite weather issues. Schott says he has all his corn planted for the season while Ihnen does not, but he’s not worried. “It’s a long season,” Darrin said.

Listen to my interview with Bart Schott and Darrin Ihnen here: National Corn Growers at Kansas Speedway

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

The Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race is underway at the Kansas Speedway and American Ethanol is clearly on display.

The American Ethanol logo and paint scheme are not only on Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 Chevrolet, fans are also seeing the American Ethanol logo along the backstretch wall of the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway to spotlight the partnership between the National Corn Growers, ethanol and NASCAR.

About 1200 farmers and ethanol producers from all over the Midwest are here today to cheer on Bowyer, following his first place win Saturday in the Camping World Truck Series. All NASCAR series are running this season on a 15 percent ethanol blend, so no matter who crosses the finish line, ethanol and America are both winners.

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

Getting ready for the American Ethanol event at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race on the Kansas Speedway, some 1200 corn and ethanol supporters are gathering to watch.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis is busy doing media interviews this morning, including a live shot with Fox News. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR, and no fuel more American than domestic ethanol,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “People in Kansas know the benefits of using ethanol as a fuel – from cleaning the air to creating jobs to fostering national energy independence. We’re pleased to raise the green American Ethanol flag in the heartland of America.”

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Tom Buis at Kansas Speedway

The inaugural STP 300 Nationwide Series race is in the books. The winner is Justin Aligaier, Brandt Racing, in the #31 car. He actually ran out of fuel right after crossing the finish line. These guys plan it right down to the end!

The Family Farmer/Marquis Energy car driven by Kenny Wallace finished 7th. And since all these cars are running on a fifteen percent blend of ethanol I think farmers win and ethanol producers win. Actually the American public wins with this clean burning fuel. Hopefully the efforts being taken by organizations like American Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association and my sponsor for this event coverage, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, are paying off with better understanding by the public of the benefits and value of home grown fuel.

Here’s the press conference with Justin following victory lane:

I’m going to upload some more photos and hit the road. More interviews will be posted in the next couple days.

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Kenny Wallace is racing well early here in the STP 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. I’m doing a photo album update and will do another one after the race and winners press conference. I just heard an ethanol commercial in our press room live feed. Sounds great.

I’ve got pictures of all the drivers introductions as well as some from the start including the green flag. I hope you enjoy them and I’ll see you after the race. Meanwhile here’s how the race start sounded.

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

American Ethanol will dominate the Kansas Speedway track on Sunday, but the driver who will pilot the American Ethanol car during the the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race dominated the track on Saturday, winning his first Camping World Truck Series race of the season.

The win was a big deal for Clint Bowyer, who is from Emporia, Kan., as it was his first NASCAR national-series victory in his home state.

“This place means a lot to me. I watched this place being built. I dreamed of being able to race here in anything, and to be able to roll into victory lane … is pretty cool.” Bowyer, however, has unfinished business at his home track. “I want to win a Cup race here bad,” said Bowyer, who will start 27th in Sunday’s STP 400 Cup event.

Just like the Nationwide and Sprint Cup, ethanol is part of the NASCAR truck series, as all vehicles are fueled with Sunoco Green E15. In addition, American Ethanol, which is a partnership between Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, provides weekly prize money for eligible competitors in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series based on finishing position.

On Sunday, race fans will see the American Ethanol logo and paint scheme on Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series STP 400, as well as the American Ethanol logo along the backstretch wall of the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway that will draw attention to the partnership between ethanol and NASCAR.

“It’s truly an honor to have American Ethanol on the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend,” said Bowyer. “Born and raised in Kansas, I support American farmers as they strive to develop energy independence for our country and I look forward to representing American Ethanol both on and off the track this weekend at Kansas Speedway.”

Domestic Fuel has been providing on-site coverage of the Nationwide Series STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend in Illinois and will be covering the Kansas race as well.

I finally caught up to NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace today during the hospitality event for Illinois corn and soybean growers. Here’s Kenny signing autographs.

I’ve been following some race car advocates for clean burning ethanol for a while but I think Kenny has them all beat. I wish I had recorded his remarks to the crowd of farmers gathered here today for the Nationwide Series STP 300. It was awesome baby. I especially liked his message to America’s Family Farmers that what they do is important and that they are loved and appreciated regardless of any critics out there. Amen to that! They are feeding and fueling America and I’d rather burn ethanol than imported oil based fuel from countries and people who don’t like us!

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

This is why we’re out here at NASCAR this weekend. Every car on the track here at Chicagoland Speedway and tomorrow at Kansas Speedway will be sporting the American Ethanol name around their gas cap. A fifteen percent blend of ethanol will be fueling these cars to help show consumers that the fuel is perfectly safe in their cars and is also good for performance.

It’s race day here in Joliet. I’ll be attending the Illinois Corn Growers/Iowa Soybean Association hospitality area midday and then back inside the track for the afternoon’s activities. I’ll be posting some interviews and final results too. The STP 300 doesn’t start until 7pm tonight!

Although ethanol is in all these cars I’m paying special attention to Kenny Wallace in the #09 Family Farmers/Marquis Energy car. In the final practice last night he had the best 10 consecutive lap average speed of 169.577 mph. Not bad Kenny. We wish you and all the drivers a safe race today.

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Regulatory approvals have come through for Shell and Cosan’s partnership to called Raizen. The new company’s goal is to produce low-carbon biofuels from sugarcane. This Brazil-based multi-billion dollar venture is one of the largest to date. Raizen will produce and sell over 2 billion litres per year of ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane through the more than 4,500 Shell stations throughout the country. As part of this new venture, Shell has transferred its shares in biofuel company Codexis to the new company Raizen.

“We are building a leading position in the most efficient ethanol-producing country in the world,” said Peter Voser, Shell Chief Executive Officer. “Low-carbon, sustainable biofuels will be increasingly important in the global transport fuel mix.”

While Shell has invested in biofuel development and sells biofuels at the pump, this announcement marks the first time the company will be active in producing biofuels. Shell says this venture is part of a larger strategy for growth in the fuels business. Right out of the gate Raizen is the third largest fuels company in Brazil and long-term plans to export ethanol. Today, Raizen’s 24 mills can process up to 62 million tonnes of cane into sugar or ethanol with the flexibility to increase production based on demand.

“This is a turning point in the search for alternative energy sources. Raizen is one of Brazil’s largest companies and is ready to offer international markets a clean, renewable and economically viable solution,” concluded Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello, Cosan’s Chairman of the Board.

I have now shifted my location and focus to Chicagoland Speedway. It’s set up and practice day for the Nationwide Series drivers. I’ll be meeting with Kenny Wallace who will be driving the Family Farmers car in his garage in a few minutes.

Earlier today I stopped by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board display that is being set up in Champions Park. Two of the guys working there are (l-r) Jim Tarmann, Field Services Director, and Mark Schneidewind, Will County Farm Bureau and a corn grower. I asked them to tell me what race goers will find when they come out to the Speedway and what they hope to accomplish.

Jim Tarmann Interview

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Last month Osage Bio Energy announced that is would be selling its plant without going into production. Had the plant gone online, it would have been the country’s largest biorefinery using barley as its main feedstock. In light of this announcement, Perdue AgriBusiness is assuring its customers that it will honor all contracts for the 2011 barley crop.

Perdue AgriBusiness had an exclusive agreement with Osage Bio Energy to source barley for the Hopewell plant. “Perdue AgriBusiness will honor all barley contracts with producers and Osage Bio Energy’s decision to sell its plant will have no impact on those agreements,” said John Ade, vice president of grain. “In addition, we maintain our long standing ‘you-grow-and-we’ll-buy-it’ policy. Our grain elevators are prepared to receive the local barley harvest.”

Perdue AgriBusiness, a global merchandiser of grains and agricultural commodities, is working with Osage to determine other markets for the barley crop. Ade added, “We will be able to minimize the impact on our company while protecting the local farmers.”

One of the Illinois corn growers who send his product into Marquis Energy is Jim Rapp, Princeton, pictured on the far right next to NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace and Jim’s sons, Nick and Ben. Jim says that the NASCAR promotional opportunity that the industry has become involved in proves that a fifteen percent blend of ethanol works. He’s a major advocate for the renewable fuel that’s good for our country! As a family farmer he’s thrilled to have Family Farmers emblazoned on the #09 car that will be driven in the STP 300 Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos

One of the dignitaries attending the Marquis Energy Appreciation Day was Darin LaHood, Illinois Sen. 37th Dist., pictured (left) with NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace. Darin represents ten counties and agriculture is the number one industry. He says that the economic impact that ethanol makes on their communities is tremendous. He says that Marquis Energy talks about feeding and fueling the world and the reality is they feed and fuel the local economy too. He going to continue to advocate for what they’re doing at every opportunity in the state legislature.

Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos

SunPower Biodiesel is official producing biodiesel at its plant located in Cumberland Wisconsin. The plant is using locally grown canola oil to produce the biodiesel. To celebrate, SunPower held a grand opening event that included a biodiesel workshop, plant tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Sun Power is very unique in our region,” said Laura Richard, Wisconsin Clean Cities, Southeast Area. “It’s a full circle. The canola is grown here in Wisconsin, the oil is processed into biodiesel, and they sell it right back to fuel users. They have a huge positive impact on their community and the state of Wisconsin.”

The SunPower Biodiesel plant was the pillar for the creation of an International Biofuels Research and Development Park. To aid in the success of the project, the plant received funds from the Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program (WCTP) to help with the purchase of equipment as well as for operating capital. WCTP is administered jointly by the Wisconsin Department of Administration – Office of Energy Independence and Wisconsin Clean Cities—Southeast Area.