Helio Castroneves celebrates Iowa Corn 300 win with Iowa corn growers

The IndyCar spotlight was on Helio Castraneves Sunday as he cruised to his first win in three years at the Iowa Corn 300 and celebrated with his trademark Spider-Man climb up the track fence – giving the #IowaCorn300 hashtag lots of Twitter traction, since it was coincidentally the opening weekend for the new Spider-Man: Homecoming movie.

The race showcases Iowa’s corn farmers, who awarded Helio with the Iowa Corn 300 trophy in victory lane. Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Larry Klever kicked off the race by saying “Drivers, start your Iowa corn ethanol power engines” while Iowa Corn Growers Association President Kurt Hora waved the green flag.

“This event continues to be an excellent platform for promoting and showcasing the true power and performance of ethanol,” said Klever. “Over the past decade, INDYCAR drivers have logged millions of miles racing on E85.”

Hora says the race was a good time to celebrate the Iowa Corn Growers Association 50th anniversary this year. “We thank our Iowa Corn members and their families for helping us celebrate 50 years and another great Iowa Corn 300,” he said.

Iowa corn growers members heard from a number of fans and visitors who stopped by their hospitality tent, including IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand, who finished second in the race, as well Senator Joni Ernst, Reps. Rod Blum, and Dave Loebsack, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.