On my way out of the track today I stopped by the Chevrolet exhibit area. It’s huge. They’ve got pace car Corvettes from past races on display and a selection of AFV’s as well.
One of the things they also have is a stage for music. This band was playing and I shot a video clip of them for you.
You can watch it here: 
Chevrolet Stage Band (2 min wmv)
One of the highlight events on Carb Day here at Indy is the Checkers/Rally’s Pit Stop Competition.
Rahal-Letterman driver Buddy Rice was doing fine until he came up against Helio Castroneves, who won the competition.
I shot a short video clip of one of the final competition matches. You can watch it here: Pit Stop Competition (23 sec wmv)
The big announcement from MFA Oil and Mid Missouri Energy was made this morning as we reported earlier this week. Pictured are members of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, along with Phil Lampert (NEVC), Ryland Utlaut (Mid-Missouri Energy) and Jerry Taylor (MFA Oil) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the launch of the partnership.
Thanks to the folks at the Missouri Corn Growers Association we’ve got some audio for you. Tyne Morgan interviewed MFA Oil President, Jerry Taylor. He talks about what the company is doing to increase the availability and accessability of E85 fuel around the state of Missouri. You can listen to that interview here: 
Jerry Taylor Interview (5 min MP3)
Representatives from two farmer-owner cooperatives have announced a partnership created to make E85 fuel more readily available and affordable to Missourians by offering it at 20 percent less than regular unleaded gasoline. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and is used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).
Read the rest of this post…
Here’s a little tidbit of information I just learned of.
Bob Dineen, the President of Renewable Fuels Association will preside over the opening bell of the NASDAQ Stock Market to “recognize the rapidly growing US Ethanol Industry.”
It’s scheduled to take place on Tuesday May 30th, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. EDT
The American Lung Assocation of the Upper Midwest just released survey results that say that drivers want E85. Some findings from the study include:
The 2004 Indy 500 winner is the third Rahal-Letterman team driver. He’s Buddy Rice and he addressed the Ethanol Summit yesterday.
I’ve been trying to find time for a personal interview but haven’t been able to do one yet. Give me some time.
In the meantime you can hear Buddy’s remarks from yesterday. Just like his teammates, he believes ethanol is a great fuel.
You can listent to Buddy’s remarks here: Buddy Rice Remarks (1 min MP3)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (442.2KB)
The Ethanol Car crew is hard at work doing that last minute tweaking.
It’s fascinating watching these technicians work and realizing how important their job is. They want this vehicle to stay on the track during the race and cross the finish line.
It’s a practice in patience too. I’ve watched them take a part off and put it back on and do it over and over until it’s sitting just like they want it to.
It’s Miller Lite Carb Day at the track. For an hour this morning all the cars in the race Sunday got to put in some laps.
Here’s the Ethanol Car heading out of the pits. This is a view of it from the 4th floor of the media “pagoda” building.
Ear plugs are a must because it gets loud. I think one of the biggest thrills is the sound these engines make. Just to rev you up I recorded a minute of the Carb day practice session.
You can listent to the the rpm’s here: Full Throttle On An Ethanol Blend (1 min MP3)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (494.7KB)
Have you ever wondered how you fill up a race car in Indianapolis? Just like you do. Well, not during the race.
These pumps are going to have to be re-done by next year since they still have methanol printed on them.
However, someone made sure a temporary sticker was applied to show that this year it’s being blended with ethanol.
I believe the ethanol for the race this weekend is coming from the New Energy ethanol plant near South Bend, IN.
I spoke to the guys working at this track fueling station. They said the fuel gets blended prior to being delivered here.
The Ethanol Car driver, Jeff Simmons, faced the press this morning early.
He also addressed the Ethanol Summit crowd yesterday and I recorded his remarks.
Jeff started out paying tribute to the work of Paul Dana and made it clear that he’s taking up the cause of promoting ethanol as well as hoping to win races for his team.
You can listent to Jeff’s remarks here: Jeff Simmons Remarks (2 min MP3)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (983.7KB)
The co-owner of Rahal-Letterman Racing is Bobby Rahal. He’s pictured here addressing yesterday’s Ethanol Summit.
After today’s press conference I got to interview him about what ethanol means to his team and the IRL.
He believes it’s a fuel that’s finally getting the recognition it deserves. He says it’s a hot button issue right now.
You can listent to my interview with Bobby here: Bobby Rahal Interview (2 min MP3)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.1MB)
She’s featured in USA Today’s Speed Weekend and also on the Friday cover. She’s Danica Patrick and she’s hoping to improve on her 4th place finish here last year.
At yesterday’s Ethanol Summit, Danica made a few remarks. She mentioned its environmental benefits
You can listent to her remarks here: Danica Patrick Remarks (1 min MP3)
The first press conference of the day on Friday was with Bobby Rahal (r) and his drivers, Jeff Simmons (l), Danica Patrick and Bobby Rice.
When the conference was over the drivers took off fast since they decided to let them run starting at 11am.
These folks love to drive and you can see the eagerness they have to get out there and perform.
While we’re on the subject of new ethanol facilities how about American Ethanol? According to their website they’re planning to build and build and build . . .
American Ethanol plans to develop more than two billion gallons of annual ethanol production capacity to address America’s growing renewable and high-octane fuel requirements. Ethanol reduces dependence on foreign energy sources in an environmentally responsible manner. The company plans to build fifteen ethanol plants and to invest in the expansion of a plant that is currently operating in Iowa.
This is why they say they’re investing in ethanol.
Ethanol is an octane-boosting fuel additive made from corn and other bio-sources. The demand for ethanol has soared as consumers and public policy makers recognize its positive impact on air quality, as well as its economic and national security benefits.
You can see some information about where they plan to build these plants here.
While all the promotion is going on here in Indianapolis there’s news to tell elsewhere. The Beatrice Daily Sun reports that there will be a groundbreaking for a new ethanol facility in Adams, Nebraska on June 2. It’s E Energy Adams. According to the story:
Jack Alderman, E Energy Adams president, said Gov. Dave Heineman and other state and local officials were expected to attend the ceremony.
“We are glad to finally be at this point,” Alderman said. “Everything is moving on schedule.”
While the groundbreaking ceremony is planned for June 2, he said actual construction would not begin until the following week. Construction is expected to take about 16 months, making projected completion in late 2007.
You can find a map to the property on the E Energy Adams website. Thanks to regular visitor Eric for the heads up!