NCGA Promotes Ethanol at Indy 500’s Ethanol Summit (5-26-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) attended the Ethanol Summit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, helping promote America’s renewable fuel as it becomes part of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” this weekend at the Indianapolis 500.

The Indy Racing League (IRL) made the switch from 100 percent methanol to 90 percent methanol-10 percent ethanol blend for the 2006 season. Next year, the circuit’s drivers will all use 100 percent ethanol.

NCGA Chairman Leon Corzine and NCGA Director of Ethanol and Business Development Geoff Cooper represented NCGA at the event. Members from the Indiana Corn Growers Association, the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Ohio Corn Growers Association also attended the event.

“It was a great event,” said Corzine. “It was great recognition for NCGA and our member states, telling people what we’ve been able to do in providing solutions for our country’s energy problems. The event was a fantastic way to highlight ethanol and inform a world audience about the performance benefits of ethanol.”

Jeff Simmons will drive the No. 17 Team Ethanol Honda/Panoz/Firestone car. Simmons qualified for 26th position. He replaced Paul Dana, who died in an accident during warm-up laps before the first race of this season. Dana advocated the use of ethanol and persuaded IRL officials to make the switch to ethanol. The Illinois Corn Growers Association is a sponsor of the Team Ethanol car.

Corzine said several important people attended the event: U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary of Rural Development Tom Dorr; Rahal-Letterman Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal; drivers Simmons, Danica Patrick and Buddy Rice; IRL CEO Tony George; and Jeff Horton, IRL director of engineering who is monitoring the switch to E-10 and testing E100 for the 2007 season.

Corzine said the engineers think the switch to E-10 has gone better than expected.

IRL officials and drivers said the switch to ethanol has had zero effect on car performance. They also mentioned other important reason for switching to ethanol: the environmental benefits.

“The Rahal team specifically mentioned how excited they are about the environmental benefits of ethanol,” Corzine said. “Everyone with IRL is excited about showcasing the benefits of ethanol to worldwide audience.”

The Indianapolis 500 starts at 1 p.m. this Sunday. ABC will televise the event.
To hear an interview with Corzine, click here .