Domestic Fuel

Just a few minutes ago I got interviewed by one of the journalists here and he asked what I had heard from corn growers who are at the track. I told him they’re very proud to be growing the fuel that’s being used in the IndyCars out here and that they’ll recover from the flooding problems they’ve been having.

Representing the Iowa Corn Growers Association at this morning’s ethanol press conference was their CEO, Craig Floss. They’re one of the main sponsors of this weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 250. Craig said he had a chance to fly over the state yesterday and he was not prepared to see how much water is still standing in fields. However, he also had to say that he saw a lot of corn growing in areas outside of the river bottoms. He thinks they’ve still got a good opportunity to produce a good crop this year.

You can listen to Craig’s comments here: iowa-08-floss.mp3

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.8MB)

One of the speakers at the ethanol industry press conference here at Iowa Speedway this morning was Mike Sobestski, Vice President/COO, LifeLine Foods. Besides talking about the company he also explained how they use various parts of a corn kernel to make food and fuel.

An interesting point he made was that the part they use to make ethanol is the undesirable part that’s not good for much else. He even brought along some jars of product to show reporters the different elements of corn they use. The company and their methods are a great example of how much is being done by ethanol producers today to make their operations more sustainable while helping meet our energy demands.

You can listen to Mike’s comments here: iowa-08-sobetski.mp3

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.1MB)

This morning at Iowa Speedway, representatives of the ethanol industry held an “inside look at ethanol” press conference. One of the speakers was Toni Nuernberg, Executive Director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Toni started out talking about the mission of EPIC and talked about the types of promotional work they’ve been doing. She says that motor sports was the springboard that helped get the ethanol message out in the public. She says that working with the IRL has proven the performance capability of the fuel. I thought she made an interesting point in saying that the role of EPIC has evolved to one of defense of the industry due to the attack that has been launched against it.

You can listen to Toni’s comments here: iowa-08-toni.mp3

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.3MB)

We had a sunny day yesterday at Iowa Speedway until mid-afternoon when a thunderstorm popped up and absolutely drenched the track. It cut short practice plans although there’s going to be plenty of that today if the weather cooperates.

I found Team Ethanol driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay, seen walking to the first practice session yesterday, taking a break near the team garage. He seemed pretty pleased with the car’s performance and as of now is still 7th in practice speed.

You can listen to my interview with Ryan here: iowa-08-hunter-reay-2.mp3

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (544.1KB)

The first practice session for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is just about to conclude and Team Ethanol’s #17 car is doing very well.

Ryan Hunter-Reay clocked a practice lap at 181.676 mph and is currently 7th fastest. The track was heating up this afternoon as we have a sunny day, something people here in Iowa are very happy to see. There’s another practice session this afternoon and they’ll be back out tomorrow.

We’re hoping to see Ryan crossing that finish line first on Sunday!

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

I finally got to meet the Team Ethanol driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay. Ryan was on hand at the Kum & Go pump promotion and posed here with the Highway Patrolmen who helped us with security and traffic and other drivers. He’s the tall guy on the left.

Ryan says the Iowa race is very important, especially due to the connection to the corn growers here in the state. He says he’s learned so much from working with people in the ethanol industry, especially how it’s a real part of the solution to our energy crisis.

You can listen to my interview with Ryan here: iowa-08-hunter-reay-1.mp3

Or watch it on this video:

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.2MB)

There were several IndyCar drivers on hand at the Kum & Go ethanol pump promotion in Ankeny, IA. One of them was Ed Carpenter, Vision Racing, seen here talking with one of the people who came out to fill up their tank.

Ed hopes that promotions like this help people learn more about ethanol. He says that he’s been racing on it for a while now and thinks it’s really positive that when the IRL switched fuel he didn’t notice any change in engine performance.

Ed says that the IndyCar Series and Iowa Speedway have created the Race to Recovery Program to help out flood victims here in Iowa. Basically, they’ll be donating $60,000 from the race proceeds to help the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

You can listen to my interview with Ed here: iowa-08-carpenter.mp3

Or watch it on this video:

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.4MB)

The Senior Vice President of Marketing for Kum & Go is Kevin Krause. His company has been very involved in the promotion of ethanol by blending it with regular unleaded gas and offering E85 pumps. This year the company worked with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board to hold a pump promotion at their store in Ankeny, IA.

He says that the focus is on E85 and with the gas price challenges they wanted to help bring community awareness to the flex fuel vehicles that are on the road. He says it also recognizes the farmers who are helping grow the corn that’s being turned into fuel right now.

You can listen to my interview with Kevin here: iowa-08-krause.mp3

Or watch it on this video:

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (947.1KB)

Pioneer Hi-Bred is sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 again this year and I spoke to Russ Sanders, Marketing Director, about how the company is involved. He’s pictured here (left) with Team Ethanol driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay and EPIC Director of Communications, Joanna Schroeder.

Russ says that the company sees a great opportunity in the biofuels arena and their participation in this race provides them with a great opportunity to get the message out about the positive benefits of a fuel like ethanol.

You can listen to my interview with Russ here: iowa-08-sanders.mp3

Or watch it on this video:

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.2MB)

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board was one of the groups sponsoring a pump promotion at an Ankeny, IA Kum & Go as a way to help increase awareness of ethanol which was being sold for a reduced price. Julius Schaaf is the ICPB’s Chairman and a farmer himself. I spoke with him briefly prior to the activity to learn more about how and why they’re involved.

He also addresses the flooding situation and says not to count out Iowa farmers. We certainly won’t.

You can listen to my interview with Julius here: iowa-08-schaaf.mp3

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.3MB)

Consumers in Ankeny, IA were treated to a little relief at the gas pump today when the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council teamed up with Kum & Go for a pre-race ethanol promotion.

Regular (E10) was selling for $2.50/gallon and E85 was $1.85. I filled up my flex fuel van before I left.

Four of the IndyCar drivers were on hand to help out including Team Ethanol driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay, pictured here doing fill up duties.

I’ll have interviews and more pictures to come. We just got finished with the promotion and are taking a break to get something to eat.

Post Update: Here’s a link to the photo album I’ve started: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Visitors to the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop this week in Nashville had a chance to meet Indy car champion and Team Ethanol car owner Bobby Rahal of Rahal Letterman Racing in an appearance sponsored by ICM, Inc.

With a model of the Number 17 Team Ethanol car behind him, Rahal chatted with ethanol industry representatives about the season so far and the talent of driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.

“This year he’s been very strong,” said Rahal. “I’m very enthusiastic about our chances and I couldn’t be happier with the kind of work he’s doing for us.”

Rahal is looking forward to the Iowa Corn 250 this weekend and thinks they have a good shot. “It’s going to be an interesting race but with each race Ryan’s getting more confident and so I expect we’ll be competitive.”

Rahal says ethanol has been great for the Indy Racing League and he thinks there is a lot of misinformation out there about the fuel. “Hopefully we are helping to dispel many of the myths and misinformation exists,” he says. “Ethanol is a credible solution to a large part of the problem that we face and the truth will reign out in the end.”

Listen to an interview with Rahal from the 2008 FEW here:
few08-rahal.mp3

2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.8MB)

It looks like the flooding in Iowa has not affected things at the Iowa Speedway where I’m headed this afternoon for pre-race activities for this weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 250.

Iowa’s flooding disaster is not directly affecting scheduled events for the IndyCar Series weekend, June 20-22, at Iowa Speedway. The facility has immediate access to I-80 and is located on elevated ground near an adjacent airport. Racing fans who plan to attend the Iowa Corn Indy 250, especially those out-of-state, are encouraged to proceed with plans to attend the event.

There are a number of activities planned from various pump promotions to press conferences. I’ll be attending them all and providing pictures and interviews whenever I can. Our coverage of the activities is once again sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Hoosier Ag Today has featured Team Ethanol IndyCar Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay in its HAT Podcast Channel this month. It’s the first podcast in a series HAT will produce that will be focused on Team Ethanol. The “Eye on the Ethanol Car” will feature weekly updates with Ryan, which will be available online each Thursday.

In last week’s podcast, Ryan describes sitting on the track in a mangled car that had been contending for a Texas Motor Speedway win. Ryan also shares his thoughts on Marco Andretti.

Click here to listen.

In celebration of the Iowa Corn Indy 250, E85 will be sold at a discount at 25 location on Thursday, June 19. This promotion will take place at 15 Kum & Go stations and 10 additional stations throughout the state.

Kum & Go will discount E85 at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2801 13th Ave., Ames
1910 SW White Birch Circle, Ankeny
2905 4th Ave., S Clear Lake
1950 Princeton Dr., Grimes
715 Long Creek Ave, Grinnel
6130 NW 86th Street, Johnston
2091 E Main St, Lamoni
1920 South Federal Avenue, Mason City
29356 298th, Neola
2991 Sunset Drive, Norwalk
2508 North Court St, Ottumwa
5970 Morning Star Court, Pleasant Hill
141 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines
822 1st Avenue, Coralville
1206 Guthrie Street, De Soto

E85 will be sold at a $1.85 discount at the following stores from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Eastern Iowa Propane & Petro, 4540 Lincolnway Street, Clinton
Lakeside Ampride, 4040 S. Expressway, Council Bluffs
Madison Avenue Ampride, 1836 Madison Avenue, Council Bluffs
Big 10 Mart, 2100 JFK Road, Dubuque
Riverside Sinclair, 102 Central Ave., Estherville
218 Fuel Express, 68 Monroe St, Floyd
New Century FS, 1017 Ogan Avenue, Grinnell
County Line Mart, 609 East Broadway, Keota
Casey’s General Store, Hwy 141, Mapleton
Prairie Gas, 4300 South 22nd East, Newton

The state of Iowa currently houses 90 E85 fueling stations.