Category Archives: NASCAR

BASF Sends Ohio Grower to Daytona 500

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kixor daytonaThanks to BASF Crop Protection, Ohio farmer Jason Davis and three of his guests got to see one of the most memorable Daytona 500 races in history as the winner of the Kixor® herbicide technology Road to DAYTONA® sweepstakes.

A corn and soybean farmer from Hillsboro, Ohio, Jason says he uses Sharpen® herbicide, powered by Kixor, to help control his tough weeds. “We have heavy marestail pressure on our farm, so I used a fair amount of Sharpen last spring,” he said. “It’s a good product and always works well.”

kixor daytonaJason, pictured here in the red shirt with his guests at the race, not only received tickets to the 54th annual DAYTONA 500®, they also got an expenses-paid three-day, two-night trip to Daytona Beach. That race, you might remember, was one for the history books – rain-delayed for the first time ever, the first under the lights race in prime time, and a sensational fire-ball crash into a jet dryer truck. After all that, Jason says they had “a real nice trip, and it was a real fine race.”

The Kixor® Road to DAYTONA® sweepstakes was open to all growers 18 years or older with an operation of 250 acres or more. Ten other winners received $100 gift cards.

American Ethanol on the NASCAR Track

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The American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy made its debut recently at the Las Vegas Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 with rookie driver Austin Dillon finishing strong in 7th place.

Representatives of American Ethanol partners, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Growth Energy, were at the March 10 race – pictured here with RCR team owner (and Dillon’s grandfather) Richard Childress (left) are Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis next to Dillon and Illinois corn farmer Martin Barbre, chairman of NCGA’s NASCAR Advisory Committee on the right.

The excitement surrounding the second year of the American Ethanol partnership was evident at the Commodity Classic, where I talked to Tom Buis about how NASCAR is helping the ethanol industry by spotlighting 15% ethanol blended motor fuel (E15) which is what NASCAR uses in all races. “A lot of our promotion and activities this year, now that E15 is approved to go in the marketplace, will be connecting the fans and the viewers to the fuel they’ll soon be able to see in their retail areas,” Tom said. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR and there’s no fuel more American than ethanol.”

Best of all, Tom says with gas prices up and ethanol priced $1 less than gasoline, E15 will save consumers money at the pump.

In this photo from Classic, Tom is holding one of our ZimmComm photo calendars, which featured a couple of American Ethanol photos. We still have a couple of calendars left if you want to buy one – click here.

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Interview with Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis

Get Ready for the NASCAR Pioneer Hi-Bred 250

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Pioneer Hi-Bred has been a major sponsor of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 for many years – now the DuPont business will be title sponsor for the May NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Iowa Speedway.

The Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 will be held Sunday, May 20, at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.

“This is a great event for the state of Iowa,” said Todd Frazier, Pioneer business director for Iowa and Missouri. “The race shines a spotlight on the state and helps showcase how Iowa agriculture is stepping up to the challenge to help meet the food and fuel needs of the world.”

Last year marked the first time Iowa Speedway hosted two NASCAR Nationwide Series events in the same season. The May 2011 Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway was a standing-room-only event, and the race was one of the highest attended events in speedway history with over 37,000 people.

Pioneer has helped sponsor NASCAR Nationwide and IndyCar events at Iowa Speedway for several years. This marks its first event as a title sponsor. In addition, Pioneer will be the pole sponsor of the second NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season at the Iowa Speedway in August.

“Given that a majority of our fan base is tied into and around agriculture, it is a natural fit that Pioneer Hi-Bred has come on as the title sponsor for our first NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season,” said Iowa Speedway vice president of Sales and Marketing Chuck Spicer. “Pioneer’s presence at Iowa Speedway will enhance a race fan’s experience while out here on race weekend. From pre-race week promotions to at-track activation, fans will be the forefront of what we do.”

Boehringer Ingelheim to Join NASCAR Farm American Team

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The start of the 2012 NASCAR season was delayed due to rain at the Daytona 500 Sunday, but next year the field could include a new player with a new partner.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has signed a letter of intent to develop a business plan for partnering with the Furniture Row Racing NASCAR team’s Farm American program for the 2013 season. David Korbelik with BIVI’s Cattle Division is pictured here (left center) with South Dakota cattle producers Stacy and Troy Hadrick (left and right) and Pat Driscoll of Furniture Row Racing.

“There has never been a better time to show support for American Agriculture. It is a strong, vibrant business that consumers need to know more about – that’s why we’re so honored to work with Furniture Row Racing to develop a plan on becoming a Farm American partner in 2013,” said BIVI Cattle Division executive director Colin Meyers. BIVI’s cattle division introduced a new way of thinking this year called Prevention Works and Meyers says the partnership with Farm American enhances this industry commitment.

Furniture Row Racing created the Farm American program in 2010, an initiative to bring awareness to the importance of keeping America’s food supply produced in the United States. “We are thrilled that a world-class company like Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has shown an interest in becoming a 2013 partner with our Farm American program, which continues to attract attention in the agriculture community,” said Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row racing.

Richard Childress Races Green, Farms Blue

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farm progress show 2011NASCAR team owner and former racer Richard Childress was at the 2011 Farm Progress Show last week to talk about the partnership between the racing series and American Ethanol, but he also put in a plug for the New Holland equipment he uses in his farming operation.

“I been over to the New Holland booth,” Richard said during a press availability with Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association. “That’s what we run on our farm, our vineyards. They have special tractors and it really works out great.”

Listen to Richard sing the praises of blue tractors in this sound bite, courtesy of Dave Russell, Brownfield Ag News (Thanks, Dave!)
Richard Childress likes New Holland

Richard says he has had a cattle operation since the 1980s and is growing some soybeans this year in addition to his vineyard. “I got about 100 acres of grapes at home that we make some good North Carolina wine out of,” he told me.

The agriculture connection is what made Richard want to be a part of the American Ethanol NASCAR partnership when the series started using a 15% ethanol blend this year. Richard says it has been great. “I’m a huge supporter of everything we do in America, from our farmers to our military,” he said. “This country has to quit depending on so much foreign energy and resources. We gotta do better.”

He says that NASCAR has had no problems making the transition to 15% ethanol fuel and next year they will go to fuel injection. “The fuel injection and the American Ethanol is really going to work out great,” Richard says.

Listen to or download my interview with Richard here. Richard Childress and American Ethanol

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album


AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

NCGA and Pioneer Offer Growers NASCAR Dream Day

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Start your engines, NASCAR fans, because the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Pioneer HI-Bred are offering NCGA members a chance to win a NASCAR dream day to the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn., on Saturday, Aug. 27.

The dream day race package includes access to the DuPont-Pioneer hospitality tent, a pit tour, and a visit with racing legend Jeff Gordon. To enter, just visit www.ncga.com/racing and sign up for NASCAR-NCGA’s Fuel for Members Program before 12 pm central time this Friday, Aug. 5. The winner will be randomly selected from those NCGA members who have signed up for the Fuel for Members program.

Fuel for Members is one of the benefits of belonging to NCGA and state corn grower associations, providing exclusive access to discounted NASCAR tickets and merchandise and insider access to America’s most popular sport. Plus, members receive discounts on goods and services from a wide range of NASCAR partners including: UPS, DirecTV, Office Depot and MGM Resorts.

NCGA is part of the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR, which began racing on 15% ethanol this season.

Don’t delay – sign up today!

STP 300 Winner Justin Aligaier

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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.

After victory lane activities Justin came into the media room and gave a great shout out to America’s farmers. Of course Brandt Racing has some real ties to agriculture!

Justin Aligaier On Ethanol and Farmers

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

Master AgVocate Kenny Wallace

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I finally caught up to NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace today during the hospitality event for Illinois corn and soybean growers. Here’s Kenny revving up the crowd before afternoon qualifying.

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!

Kenny Wallace Interview

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

NASCAR AgriPhotographer

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Who says agriblogging isn’t hard work? I dare them to come out to a 90+ degree race track, strap on some Nikons and a vest and wander around getting the shots you need.

I love it though. Whether it’s out in a field or at a race track, anywhere, anytime is a great time to agvocate for America’s farmers and ranchers. I’m collecting photos today here at Chicagoland Speedway all the way through the inaugural STP 300 Nationwide Series race tonight. I just got out of the photographer’s meeting which is mandatory if you want to shoot a race. It’s all about safety while still getting the opportunity for a great shot. I’ll be doing my best. I got the #2 vest and keep getting asked who is number 1. I dunno and don’t care. LOL.

Here’s where my photos are being collected throughout the day and including tonight’s race: STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Race Day In Chicago – Go Ethanol

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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.

Here’s where my photos are being collected throughout the day and including tonight’s race: STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Marquis Energy Sees Great NASCAR Ethanol Opportunity

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The President of Marquis Energy is Mark Marquis, seen here introducing NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace to the crowd attending yesterday’s event held at the Hennepin ethanol plant. I spoke with Mark and learned that Marquis Energy is a real family type business that he had built after growing up on a family farm in this area and branching out into the grain business. In my interview with him you’ll hear him talk about plans to double the size of the Hennepin plant.

Mark is a Growth Energy board member. He says the organization saw the long term agreement with NASCAR as a great opportunity to help get in front of American consumers who will feel more confident about putting higher blends of ethanol in their cars after seeing how well it performs in the race cars. They’ve accomplished that through American Ethanol, a partnership with the National Corn Growers Association. The local NASCAR Nationwide Series STP 300 race on Saturday provided his company with an opportunity to make a special contribution to the effort. He says NASCAR is very popular with his employees and the farmers who send in about 150 trucks of corn a day to the plant. Mark Marquis Interview

I’ll be out on location this morning at Chicagoland Speedway getting my media credentials and checking out the action in preparation for tomorrow’s race.

You can hear Mark’s introduction of Kenny and Kenny’s remarks in this video clip:

Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos

Getting Ready To See NASCAR Burn Ethanol

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Cindy and I are going NASCAR this weekend with most of our activity being posted onto Domestic Fuel.com. I’ll start things off with the Nationwide Series STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday with support from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. Then Cindy will pick up at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday with support from the National Corn Growers Association. I know you were wondering today, “Chuck seems quiet, must be traveling.” Yep. You got it.

I drove to Marquis Energy in Hennepin, IL for their Appreciation Day. The company is a major sponsor of the #09 car that Kenny Wallace will be driving in Joliet, IL on Saturday. Kenny and the actual car he’ll be driving (pictured) were on hand. So, there will be lots more to come over the next several days. In the meantime you can see photos, including more of the car and Kenny online: Marquis Energy Appreciation Day Photos.

American Ethanol Racing In Texas

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Another way farming will be showcased on the race track this weekend is when American Ethanol heads to Texas this weekend for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at the Texas Motor Speedway on April 8th beginning at 8:30 pm EST on ESPN2. While the ethanol logo is on all the race cars, keep your eye on the No. 9 Toyota Camry driven by Kenny Wallace, who is sponsored for the season by the ethanol industry in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“It is an honor to be chosen as an American Ethanol spokesperson,” said Wallace who drives for RAB Racing. “I am very passionate about this subject and excited to spread true knowledge about American Ethanol throughout the United States. I’m proud and excited to go to Texas with new sponsor American Ethanol, and most of all I’m looking forward to getting my 10th NASCAR Nationwide Series win.”

During the entire 2011 season, all three of NASCAR’s national touring series will be racing on Sunoco Green E15, a blend of 15 percent corn-based ethanol and 85 percent racing fuel.

NCGA President Bart Schott noted, “Having Wallace as the driver is a great benefit. The RAB Racing team is racing very competitively this season and they are proving to be great proponents for Sunoco Green E15. Kenny understands the important economic and environmental contributions of the nation’s ethanol producers and family corn farmers. As a passionate and media-savvy spokesman, he is helping us reach millions of driving consumers with a positive message about domestic ethanol.”

Farm American Car On Track In Texas

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It looks like Furniture Row Racing will have the Farm American car on the track this weekend in Texas. The No. 78 NASCAR Chevrolet will showcase the Farm American colors for the first time in the Samsung Mobile 500 Sprint race.

Regan Smith’s car at the 1.5-mile Texas oval will be known as the No. 78 Farm American Chevrolet, presented by Furniture Row Companies and Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers.

“The Farm American program continues to gain momentum which gives farmers and ranchers a national stage to share their story and bridge the dialogue gap between the consumer and members of the agriculture industry,” said Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row Racing. “We are excited about Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers joining Furniture Row Companies as a partner and becoming our first agribusiness financial partner to join the Farm American program. We continue to seek additional partners and are encouraged by the interest we have received from the agriculture community and also from a wide range of non-agriculture businesses.”