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One of the founders of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and Team Ethanol is Ron Fagen, Fagen, Inc. Ron’s here (lower left) in the EPIC hospitality tent watching today’s race.

I spoke to Ron when we were in one of our caution periods and things kind of quieted down. He really likes how the relationship with the Indy Racing League has showcased the performance value of ethanol. You won’t find a bigger champion of the key benefits of this renewable fuel which includes being more environmentally friendly, relieving our dependence on foreign oil and helping out our economy.

Here’s my interview with Ron: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-fagen.mp3]

Just prior to the Iowa Corn Indy 250, presented by Ethanol I ran into Bob Dinneen, the CEO/President of the Renewable Fuels Association. He was one of the industry dignitaries on the stage just before driver introductions.

I interviewed Bob and he says this whole ethanol showcase event has been wonderfully done. Here’s my interview with Bob: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-dinneen.mp3]

Welcome to race day here at the Iowa Speedway as we near the start of the Iowa Corn Indy 250.

To get things started we had a press conference titled, “Ethanol: Fueling Our Future” which was coordinated by the Iowa Corn Growers Association. On hand were Iowa’s state senators, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, seen here getting interviewed afterward. Also on the program was IA Lt. Governor, Patty Judge, IA Sec. of Ag, Bill Northey, Peter Hemken, DuPont VP, Bob Bowman, ICGA president and Kyle Phillips, ICPB Chairman.

I did not get to attend the conference but thanks to Tim Hoskins, IA Farmer Today, I have the full audio of the press conference for you to listen to. Right now the dignitaries are touring the garages.

Here’s this morning’s press conference: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-race-press.mp3]

I think the logo for the Iowa Indy Corn 250, presented by Ethanol is very nice. It really looks good on the lawn in between the track and the pits here at Iowa Speedway.

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is very involved in the promotion of this race, working very closely with organizations like the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred. EPIC’s executive director Tom Slunecka was in the media center this afternoon. Tom was happy. And if Tom’s happy, I’m happy (EPIC is the founding and primary sponsor of Domestic Fuel).

I got him to sit down for a minute and talk about how he thinks it’s going. He’s just as excited about this race as all the corn growers I’ve spoken with this week. He says that the work EPIC has been doing to create a brand that consumers are aware of and trust is really paying off and venues like this race as well as all the IRL races have been key to showcasing the performance value of ethanol.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-slunecka.mp3]