The Truth About Ethanol and Indy

Chuck Zimmerman

Patron CarWe got to the Scott Sharp Patron party a little late yesterday but we did sample a very good margarita. I think this is a sharp looking car don’t you?

I noticed a guest editorial on Dean Kleckner’s Truth About Trade and Technology website that I think sums up the feelings of a lot of farmers this weekend. It’s written by Tim Recker, a corn/soybean grower from Iowa.

A guy with my last name probably shouldn’t go anywhere near the sport of auto racing.

Yet I can hardly wait until one o’clock on Sunday, May 27 when the Indy 500 is scheduled to begin. Just about every corn farmer I know is equally excited.

Drivers will compete to win the 91st running of the Indy 500. And for the first time ever, their vehicles will be powered by corn: They’re using 100-percent fuel-grade ethanol.

If ethanol is good enough for the most famous auto race in the world, shouldn’t it also be good enough for your commute to work? Granted, you may not need to drive 219 miles per hour–the qualifying time of the slowest car in the Indy 500’s 33-vehicle field–unless you hit the snooze bar a few too many times.

Still, there’s no reason why ordinary motorists shouldn’t demand outstanding fuel performance from a quality product such as ethanol.

Well said Tim.

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Ag Groups, Ethanol, Indy Racing