With its switch to 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol for the 2007 season, the Indy Car Series is already leading in the country’s race to reducing dependence on foreign oil, as called for by President Bush in his State of the Union address.

“The IndyCar Series shares the President’s commitment to energy security,” said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the Indy Racing League, in a news release. “We accept the challenge of making these goals a reality.”

“The partnership between the IndyCar Series and the ethanol industry exemplifies the spirit of energy independence, American ingenuity and innovation,” said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

The series will hold its first Open Test of the season at Daytona International Speedway Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2007 where for the first time all IndyCar Series cars will run on the 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. The 17-race IndyCar Series season opens March 24, 2007 under the lights at Homestead-Miami Speedway.