On my first pit stop on the road with Chuck, I caught up with EPIC and IndyCar drivers Jeff Simmons, Scott Sharp, and Sarah Fisher at GasAmerica on LaFayette Road in Indianapolis. EPIC teamed up with GasAmerica and offered E10 fuel, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline to consumers for $2.25 a gallon. They IndyCar drivers manned the pumps alongside EPIC personnel and scribbled autographs for consumers. The special rate was available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, but motorists I talked to said they were lining up around the parking lot as early as 8:00 a.m. David Petros joked that he came out to celebrate his birthday. He said he figured he would save some money and fill up his tank. David added that ethanol is moving the fuel industry in the right direction. Click here to hear more:
When David pulled up to the pump he didn’t have to get out of his car. EPIC personnel were ready to top off his tank. He reminisces about fueling up in the old days:
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/petros-1.mp3]
Another consumer, Kristian Gibson, said she’s counting on ethanol to be more cost-effective and says she’s hoping that motorists will get a fairer price for fuel as the ethanol industry continues to grow. Kristian says her job requires a lot of travel around Marion County. For her, saving money on tank of gas is worth a couple hours for the wait. Hear what else she has to say about ethanol and its impact on the price of fuel:
EPIC officials say E10 fuel is warranted for use in any vehicle built after 1980, but the organization says E85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, requires Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s). EPIC estimates there are more than 6 million FFV’s on the road today. EPIC sponsored the promotion to highlight the first year that all vehicles participating in the Indy 500 race will use 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol.