The media event that the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council coordinated last Friday was truly an awesome piece of public relations! It sure doesn’t hurt to be tied into the greatest spectacle in racing. Way to go Tom Slunecka and the folks from the Integer Group, led by Joanna Schroeder.
As a wrapup I had promised some more photos. This is my first time trying this so hopefully when you use this link you’ll be taken to the Flickr photo album I created for this event. Indy 500 – Team Ethanol
Last Friday agriculture received a great amount of publicity through the media event coordinated by the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC). It was easy to see that they generated stories because there were many reporters already covering the pending Indy 500 race. They were eager to interview all the media contacts for the event.
There’s apparently more to learn about the recent Supreme Court decision on the beef checkoff. What I wonder is how many of those 26 million homes will be tuned in!
Well, Jimmy got 47 laps in but he’s done. I don’t have any information on why but he’s out. That’s tough but it gives me a good excuse to pack up and leave early and beat the crowd out. At least while the car was running it looked good!
It is one of the most famous sayings in sports, “Gentlemen, (and ladies now), start your engines.” 
I know there’s no way I could fit inside this thing. This is what Jimmy Kite will be holding onto for dear life at 220 or more mph in just a few minutes from now!
Before the race gets started the pit crew has to practice their tire changing. They changed tires several times before they felt like they were ready.
This is what Jimmy Kite hopes no one sees in their rear view mirror at the end of the race.
The garage area is inside the track and it’s here that all the last-minute work is done on the cars. Some cars are already being wheeled out and some are still in pieces as they fine tune the engines.
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. I went to church yesterday not knowing that there’s a racing ministry that arranges on-site services here in the conference center on Sunday morning. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a priest with a b&w checkered stole!