Domestic Fuel

Thanks to the collective support of a number of sponsors, including ICM-Ethanol USA, Ryan Hunter-Reay will continue to drive the No. 37 IZOD-sponsored car for Andretti Autosport for the rest of the season.

The car will continue to have the primary sponsorship of Team IZOD, with the exception of the August race at Chicagoland Speedway and another race to be decided where Ethanol USA will be the main sponsor as it was for the Iowa Corn Indy 250. ICM-Ethanol USA announced sponsorship of Hunter-Reay last month at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis. Along with Ethanol and IZOD, he is supported by sponsorships by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inland, AirTrain Airways, Comfort Revolution, the Michael Fux Foundation, and Exel.

Andretti Autosport also unveiled a charitable initiative connected to the No. 37 entry called “Racing For Cancer.” The program will help support cancer research in honor of Ryan’s mother Lydia who died of cancer in November of last year.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. So many people pulling together to make things happen,” said Hunter-Reay. “I was really close to my mom. For all of this to come together, it was for the right reasons. All of the sponsors in this amazing team have contributed to make this happen.”

The Racing For Cancer program officially launched July 4 and will raise funds for the rest of this season for two national charities, The Michael Fux Foundation and LIVESTRONG. To contribute, go to www.racingforcancer.org.

The IndyCar Series is in full swing and only a week ago, the Team Ethanol IndyCar was back on track at the Iowa Indy Corn 250. But there is plenty more to look forward to this season. SweeterAlternative.com has announced a contest that will send one lucky winner and a guest to the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on August 20-22, 2010. For those of you not familiar with California, Sonoma is one of the country’s most famous places for wine.

The contest is supported by the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), and this year sugarcane ethanol fuels the majority of the IZOD IndyCar races in the U.S.

“The contest will raise awareness about the benefits of sugarcane ethanol, a clean renewable fuel that could help Americans save money at the pump and cut dependence on Middle East oil,” said Joel Velasco, Chief Representative of UNICA. “Unfortunately, the fuel is practically unavailable in the U.S. due to a 54-cent per gallon tariff which is set to expire at the end of this year. We hope this sweet deal will broaden awareness about the benefits of sugarcane ethanol and motivate Americans to demand greater choice at the pump,” he added.

The winner will receive roundtrip airfare, hotel for three nights, and VIP seating at the race as well as a embark on a five-hour guided tour through the area’s scenic regions, engaging in some wine tasting along the way. For a chance to win, go to www.SweeterAlternative.com/Sonoma. You must be a legal resident of the U.S. and 21 years of age to enter.

Indy cars recently tore up the track running on clean-burning ethanol, right next to the Iowa corn fields where the feedstock for the green fuel is grown.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we bring you some of the sounds and interviews from the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Our own Chuck Zimmerman had the chance to talk to Ron McQueeny, director of photography for the Indy Racing League and a nearly 40-year veteran photographer of the sport, who says the clean, green fuel has made a world of difference in clearing the haze that used to accompany the start of each race. In addition, we catch up with farmer and President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Don Elsbernd, and Todd Frazier with Pioneer Hi-Bred. They see the Iowa Corn Indy 250 as a great showcase for the green fuel and are glad that so many corn farmers are able to see the fruit… a very high-performance fruit… of their labors in corn-based ethanol in these fantastic racing machines.

It’s a great conversation, and you can hear more of it in the player below.
Domestic Fuel Cast

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Iowa corn growers are big winners again on race day in Newton, IA. Actually the winner of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is Tony Kanaan, #11 the 7-11 Car. He lifted the big gas pump trophy in joy since he’s had some tough luck here on this track in the past.

The Iowa Corn Growers and Pioneer Hi-Bred have got to be thrilled that the bad weather of late held off today so that racing fans got to enjoy a very good one. At the same time they got full value for their investment in the race as it was televised in its entirety. Ethanol and corn grower messages were aired frequently throughout the broadcast and the announcers really did a great job of thanking and pointing out all the green shirts in the crowd.

I’m just about to upload the last of my photos for the day before heading home to ZimmComm World Headquarters. I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage. I’ve still got several interviews to post here and on Domestic Fuel in the next few days.

Tony Kanaan held a press conference following the race and all the picture taking and you can listen to it below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.1MB)

The Iowa Corn Indy 250 is underway in Newton, IA.

Waving the green flag is Iowa Corn Growers Association President, Don Elsbernd. I’m just guessing what his pulse rate is!

The weather is cooperating and I’ll be updating with our winner later this afternoon. Right now it’s time to load some race photos to the photo album

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

The Chairman-Elect for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board is Dick Gallagher, pictured (right) with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. They’re attending all the activities of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 which is scheduled for later today.

I spoke with Dick earlier this week at an E-85 pump promotion at a Des Moines Kum & Go. Dick says the corn crop got planted just fine in his area near Washington, IA but since then they’ve had too much rain. Hopefully the sun will shine in that area soon! Dick says that the Iowa Corn Indy 250 has provided an opportunity for a lot of racing fans to go to an Indy race for the first time. It has shown that the fuel can perform at the highest level.

You can listen to my interview with Dick below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.5MB)

At least for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 there will be a car with the word “Ethanol” prominently displayed. Driving the #37 Ethanol USA Team Izod Indy car will be Ryan Hunter-Reay who qualified 12th today for the race. His qualifying speed was 179.666 mph.

Our pole winner was Will Power, #12, Verizon Team Penske car with a speed of 181.337 mph. It was a competitive session with Milka Duno crashing in turn 2 on her laps. She’s okay.

Mindy Larson Poldberg, Director of Government Relations for the Iowa Corn Growers Association sang the National Anthem tonight before the races taking place. I caught it on my phone.

I’ll be on the track all day tomorrow collecting more photos and interviews as American made ethanol is once again featured in the heartland.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

This was me moments before rain drops hit Iowa Speedway again yesterday. After years of taking photos of other people getting a ride in the Indy 2-Seater I finally had my chance. But just as we were about to pull onto the track rain canceled the deal. Oh well, maybe another time. I do think I look good in an Indy Car though. Thanks to Ann Marie Edwards, Edwards Communications, for the photo. Our two drivers for the event were Sarah Fisher and Davey Hamilton.

When I got in line I was surprised to be right behind Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Bill follows me on Twitter and is an AgWired fan btw! So, I got my iPhone out for a short interview. He says that the challenges in the Gulf remind us that a home grown fuel like ethanol is one we ought to be producing more of. He’d like to see an extension of the ethanol tax credit this year. He says we need domestic fuel, we need jobs and we need economic activity and ethanol answers those needs.

You can listen to my interview with Sec. Northey below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1,005.5KB)

The Vice President of Iowa Speedway is Craig Armstrong. He’s the always smiling face that we in the media get to see when we cover the Iowa Corn Indy 250. This is a photo of him introducing the drivers at their press conference.

I don’t think you’ll find a bigger supporter and fan of American made corn ethanol and for good reason. The race track has had a very close partnership with the race sponsor, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Pioneer Hi-Bred. He says they all win in this deal. The race track is really glad to have this race because although there are more race fans per capita in Iowa than any other state in the country, they are under-served in terms of feature races.

You can listen to my interview with Craig below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.1MB)

There were a lot of volunteers helping pump gas during the Kum & Go E-85 pump promotion in Des Moines in advance of the Iowa Corn Indy 250. Some of them were from the Polk County Farm Bureau.

I spoke with Carol Miller, past President and Board member. She and her family are farmers. They really appreciate the relationship with Kum & Go and getting the word out about E-85. She points out that 35 gallons of E-85 purchased replaces a barrel of foreign oil. She says the Indy Car drivers love it because they use less fuel. She’s hoping to be at the race on Sunday.

You can listen to my interview with Carol below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.1MB)

Who doesn’t like cute baby pictures? No one I know. Meet Marcus who met Marco Andretti at the Kum & Go E-85 pump promotion in Des Moines. They share the same birthday too!

But that’s not the story here. It actually is about Venom Energy Drinks, part of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Venom is Marco’s sponsor and they were on hand to share product samples. I spoke with Tom, Regional Representative. He says that the product has been out about 3 years and their premier sponsorship is the Venom Race Car. There are photos in my online album.

He says the Indy Car has been a great way to get there name out in front of the public. I asked him if he thought it would mix well with American made ethanol. That got a laugh since I don’t think the subject has ever come up. You can listen to our interview below

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1,022.1KB)

This afternoon the IRL and Iowa Speedway held a driver’s press conference. Participating are (l-r) Graham Rahal, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alex Tagliani. The drivers were in a great mood but you could sense how eager they are to get on the track. They’ll be testing tomorrow.

I recorded the press conference and thought I’d share the opening questions and statements from the drivers. They talk about the track (things like bumps) and you’ll hear Ryan say how much he appreciates being able to race for Ethanol again.

After years of covering Indy races I finally had a chance to ride in one of 2-seater cars this afternoon. I actually got strapped in and was ready to go before the rain drops fell and it was canceled. Bummer. Maybe next time.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.1MB)

It’s going to be a happy Father’s Day for Iowa corn growers and Pioneer Hi-Bred when the Iowa Corn Indy 250 gets underway Sunday. The race is being presented by both organizations again this year.

I met Pioneer’s Joe Foresman, Senior Marketing Manager, Biofuels and MarketPoint Resource, during the Kum & Go E-85 pump promotion yesterday. He says the story this race tells for Iowa and for farmers is a very exciting one. It sends a great message to the state and the nation about how we can use the renewable fuel, ethanol. Pioneer has 3,000 employees in Iowa who are very proud of their involvement in the race. I asked him if he liked the analogy between the high tech engines powering the Indy cars and Pioneer’s seed technology. He did.

By the way, if you’re tweeting the race or want to follow the Twitter conversation then please use #indycorn in your tweets. You can use Twitter Search to see who’s tweeting.

You can listen to my interview with Joe below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.9MB)

Pumping gas into your car that only costs 85 cents/gallon sure seems like a sweet deal and it was for many motorists pulling into an east Des Moines Kum & Go yesterday. The company has been committed to the support of this American grown blend of fuel and showed it in style with a party atmosphere late on a weekday afternoon.

Pictured in the middle of the Iowa Corn Growers gas pumpers is Matt Chase, Kum & Go. He works in the gasoline department for the company and E-85 is one of his priorities. He says that they’ve been working with Iowa Corn Growers for about 5 years. The timing of the grand opening for their E-85 pumps at this location was just perfect with the Iowa Corn Indy 250 race this weekend. You can listen to my interview with him below.

I also shot a video clip of Indy Car driver Marco Andretti pulling up in race car driver style to have the Iowa Speedway car filled by fellow driver Ryan Hunter-Reay. More interviews from the pump promotion will be coming your way soon. Today I’m heading out to the track (after a severe storm passes) to check out the activities so I’ll be coming to you next from there.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (858.4KB)

It’s time for another Iowa Corn Indy 250 and that means that drivers are in promotion mode. Today Ryan Hunter-Reay (right) and Marco Andretti were on hand for the grand opening of E-85 pumps at a Des Moines Kum & Go where you could buy the fuel for 85 cents/gallon!

Ryan will be driving the Ethanol USA Team Izod Indy Car in the race. He and Marco are both glad to be racing with an American made renewable fuel. They’ve proven the performance capability of ethanol and expressed their appreciation for the support of Iowa corn growers. I’ll be covering the activities of this year’s race weekend once again thanks to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. I’ve got a photo album started for the weekend which I’ll be adding to periodically: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

You can download my interview with Ryan (mp3) or listen here: ia-corn-indy-2010-ryan.mp3

You can download my interview with Marco (mp3) or listen here: ia-corn-indy-2010-marco.mp3