Iowa Speedway was the place for corn growers this weekend as Enogen presented the American Ethanol E15 250 NASCAR XFINITY race. Kicking things off was a press conference with representatives from Syngenta, American Ethanol, Growth Energy and Quad County Corn Processors.
Syngenta and Growth Energy are working together for the fourth consecutive year with Iowa Speedway to demonstrate the value of E15 at the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen on June 19, 2016.
Representing a wide array of ethanol supporters, from farmers to bioengineering firms, American Ethanol was established by Growth Energy in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association to increase awareness about the value of American-made ethanol.
“Ethanol is helping America reduce its dependence on foreign oil, lowering prices at the pump, improving the environment with lower emissions, and growing the economy with jobs that can’t be outsourced,” said Jack Bernens, head of Enogen at Syngenta. “The American Ethanol E15 250 is an excellent opportunity to engage consumers and help increase awareness for the benefits of Earth-friendly American ethanol. Syngenta is pleased to once again be working with Iowa Speedway, Growth Energy and the FFA to support the ethanol industry through our sponsorship of this signature event to tell ethanol’s story.”
Enogen® corn enzyme technology is an exclusive in-seed innovation from Syngenta and features the first biotech corn output trait designed specifically to enhance ethanol production. Syngenta is currently contracting with 20 ethanol plants in eight states with a combined production capacity of more than 1.5 billion gallons.
Last year, Syngenta announced it would donate one dollar for every acre planted with Enogen corn to the Prime the Pump Fund during 2015-16. Prime the Pump is helping high-volume, progressive-minded and industry-leading fuel retailers, who will demonstrate the performance, cost savings and profit opportunity of marketing higher ethanol blends such as E15. During race weekend, local FFA members will be engaging racegoers to help tell ethanol’s story and raise funds for the Prime the Pump Fund, which will be matched by Syngenta.
Retail partnerships like Prime the Pump are more important than ever as a strategy for growing demand for American ethanol, said Kelly Manning, vice president of development for Growth Energy.
“American ethanol has become an important success story,” Manning said. “For our industry to enjoy sustainable success, however, there needs to be an increase in ethanol demand. Looking ahead, retail partnerships will be key to expanding the availability for higher ethanol blends.”
Listen to or download the audio of the press conference here: Enogen Press Conference
You can find lots of photos from Iowa Speedway race weekend here: Enogen Syngenta NASCAR Photo Album