Indy Car drivers seem pretty pumped about ethanol, according to this Dallas Business Journal article, which quotes Bombardier Learjet 500 winner and two-time Indianapolis 500 winnner Helio Castroneves and 2004 IndyCar Series Champion Tony Kanaan – both Brazilians. The article says the IRL switch to ten percent ethanol this year has been “problem-free” and Dan Layton, spokesman for Honda Performance Development, makers of the sole engine used in the IRL, says that improved fuel mileage may require the fuel tanks in Indy cars to be reduced next year in order to keep drivers from out-running their tire-life.

Here’s an interview Chuck did at the Indy 500 with Ethanol Promotion and Information Council executive director Tom Slunecka, who is also quoted in the article. Tom discusses a number of the points in the article, including Brazilian support of ethanol, the fuel’s environmental benefits and performance aspects, and the expectations for next year when IRL goes to a full 100 percent ethanol. Tom Slunecka Interview (7 min MP3)