Interview With Tonya Dana

Chuck Zimmerman

Tonya DanaYou may remember the tragedy that occurred last year at the first IndyCar race when Paul Dana was killed in a pre-race crash. I had conducted his last media interview prior to that. I finally had a chance to do a short interview with his wife, Tonya here in Indy. Paul is the man who worked so hard to bring the ethanol and racing industries together. He was the driver of the #17 Ethanol Car prior to Jeff Simmons. This year’s running of the Indy 500 with all the cars fueled with ethanol is the fulfillment of his dream.

Tonya is pictured here outside the Rahal-Letterman Racing hospitality suite. I was impressed with how strong she seems to be. It has to take courage to come out here in light of what happened to Paul. Tonya says that the support she’s received from friends in the ethanol industry and the IRL has been tremendous. She does see this year’s race as the fulfillment of Paul’s dream and she says she’s ready to help the ethanol industry in any way she can.

You can listen to my interview with Tonya Dana here: indy-07-tonya.mp3

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Wyffels Picks Hondo Group

Chuck Zimmerman

The Hondo GroupIt looks like The Hondo Group is moving forward quickly in its development by landing a great new client.

Wyffels Hybrids, one of the nation’s largest independent hybrid seed corn companies, announced today the selection of The Hondo Group as its new agency of record.” The agency was selected by the executive and senior management teams at Wyffels following an extensive national search.

“Wyffels Hybrids has some exciting opportunities coming in the next 18 months and we look forward to working with The Hondo Group to help us deliver them to the market,” said Mark Risley, Marketing Director of Wyffels Hybrids. “With their dedication, industry knowledge and passion for our business, we know they will be the perfect partner for Wyffels.”

The Hondo Group will be responsible for providing strategic marketing communications services and integrated sales support to Wyffels Hybrids. The account will be under the direction of Vice President, Kim Jones, who manages The Hondo Group’s Midwestern office based in Darlington, Wisconsin.

Agencies, Agribusiness, Seed

Joining AARWBA

Chuck Zimmerman

Helio CastronevesI’ve been covering enough IRL races for EPIC that I decided to join the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association. Actually president Dusty Brandel talked me into it.

This morning Laura and I attended their annual awards breakfast. Helio Castroneves (right), the Indy 500 pole winner joined us for a short question and answer session. He was very upbeat and like all of us, hopes the weather cooperates tomorrow.

One of the members at the podium will be covering his 63rd consecutive Indy 500. That’s amazing. That would be like me saying someday that I’m covering my 63rd Commodity Classic or something like that. Who knows? It could happen.

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Indy Racing

The e is Everywhere

Chuck Zimmerman

Ethanol Golf CartThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has been promoting the “e” as the brand for ethanol. So if you’re going to brand something you slap that baby everywhere you can.

In this case even on a funny looking little golf cart. The cart is being driven by EPIC director of marketing, Reece Nanfito. Waving at me is Laura McNamara.

At the time of this photo they were going to drive through the crowd to the Kid Rock concert. Me I headed on back to my hotel for a little bit of relaxation before the Rahal-Letterman Racing media dinner which was held at Mo’s in downtown Indianapolis.

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Indy Racing

Ethanol Car in Practice at Indy

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff Simmons in PracticeIt’s Miller Lite Carb day here at the Brickyard. Let’s just say that after looking at the fans it’s safe to say that not all the ethanol being poured here is going into cars.

This morning the Indy cars got an hour of practice in. I got here just in time to see them pull into the pits. Traffic was a nightmare getting here from our hotel.

Here’s Jeff Simmons, my main man, coming in off his practice laps. Everyone looks all smiles and I hope they are by Sunday afternoon as well.

During the day today I’ve been taking some pictures for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council as well as meeting with and interviewing representatives of some of their member companies.

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing

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

Not a Blah Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Pork BillboardThis year I’m renting a Nikon 80-400mm zoom lens to enhance my shooting experience. While I was practicing in turn 3 here at the Speedway I noticed The Other White Meat on display (rotating billboard). Now I’m hungry.

Tonight a group of us are going to the Scott Sharp, Team Patron event at El Torito Grill, a restaurant near our hotel. Here’s my thinking. End of day. Patron Tequila promotion/party. Hotel across the parking lot. Uh . . . . I’m covering that event!

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Ag Groups, Indy Racing, Pork

Indianapolis Skyline

Chuck Zimmerman

Indy SkylineIt’s a beautiful day here in Indianapolis as you can see from this photo I hope. Sometimes you get a nice picture at the most unexpected times.

These are the Indy flags in front of the downtown skyline.

At today’s Ethanol Summit, which you can learn more about over on Domestic Fuel I ran into a man representing the Minnesota Farm Bureau. He wanted to meet me because he likes what we’re doing here and subscribes to my podcasts. He said he listened to the latest ZimmCast on the way here!

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Indy Racing

Having Fun With EPIC

Chuck Zimmerman

Reece Nanfito and MeHere’s Reece Nanfito, EPIC director of marketing and me having fun at the GasAmerica pump promotion. We weren’t even drinking ethanol yet.

Laura took this picture. I think it captures the essence of working with a client your really enjoy doing business with. I’ve spent a lot of time with the folks at EPIC and truly appreciate not only their mission but their support in sponsoring my coverage of events and allowing us the opportunity to do other work for them too, like re-building their member website.

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Indy Racing

Winning a Flex-Fuel Silverado

Chuck Zimmerman

Green Flag Sweepstakes WinnerHANK FM, along with Gas America and EPIC ran the Green Flag Sweepstakes with the winner being picked yesterday afternoon after the pump promotion. HANK was doing a live remote throughout the event. Here’s how it worked.

Participants had to listen to the station or visit a Gas America station for keywords. Then they had to text the word to the station and if they were a winner they got a bounce back text message saying so. The winners all had to show up to press a buzzer and if it played “Dixie” you won a 2-year lease on a Flex-Fuel Chevy Silverado!

Well the winner is Kathleen from Franklin, IN. She was very excited as you can tell. I interviewed her to see how she felt and what she thinks of ethanol. indy-07-kathleen.mp3

2007 Indy 500 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing