The Minnesota Governor’s Ethanol Challenge is happening this week at four Wissota dirt tracks– July 10 in Alexandria, July 11 in Madison, July 12 in Willmar and July 13 in Montevideo.

According to the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, the Midwest Modified class races are “auto racing at its roots – loud, local and promoting an alternative fuel grown, produced and sold in Minnesota.”

“This annual event means a lot to local racetracks, the communities and to the Midwest Modified racers who have embraced this renewable fuel,” said Chad Willis, a member of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council and big fan of dirt track racing. “I have attended just about every race since the Governor’s Challenge began. The racers often tell me they prefer using ethanol because it has high octane, burns cooler and allows them to use smaller engines and get the same horsepower.”