Green Plains Builds Business

Joanna Schroeder

Green Plains Renewable Energy announced today its acquisition of a grain storage facility located in Hopkins, Missouri. The grain storage facility can house up to 2 million bushels of grain and was formerly owned by Horizon Grain of Hopkins, Inc and GS Grain LLC. The grain elevator is located about 45 minutes from Green Plains’ ethanol biorefinery in Shenandoah, Iowa.

“Expanding our agribusiness operations to further diversify our revenues and cash flows remains a priority for us in 2011,” stated Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The close proximity to our ethanol production and grain facilities in southwest Iowa makes this elevator a solid fit within our business platform. Combining this acquisition with our existing storage capacity and the announced expansion of our Tennessee grain assets, we will have 35 million bushels of grain storage capacity within our agribusiness segment by this fall’s harvest. We continue to look for additional acquisition opportunities to grow our agribusiness segment.”

Company Announcement, corn, Ethanol

NASCAR STP 400 Winning Team Pleased with Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Brad Keselowski driving the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger won the inaugural Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at the Kansas Speedway Sunday where American Ethanol was prominently displayed.

When asked during the post-race press conference about NASCAR using 15% ethanol fuel this year, Keselowski said he applauded NASCAR for its green initiative. “It’s just an added benefit that (ethanol) comes from America,” he said. “That’s really cool.”

Fuel saving was what won the race for Keselowski and crew chief Paul Wolfe says he’s seen no change in performance since the series switched to 15% ethanol this year. “Seemed to be a pretty good fuel for us today,” he said.

Team owner Roger Penske is pleased with the NASCAR move to ethanol. “The reliability is there, the fuel mileage is there and you can see the performance, so I think it’s a win-win for everyone,” said Penske.

Listen to the STP 400 winning team talk about ethanol here: Brad Keselowski, Roger Penske and Paul Wolfe

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

American Ethanol, Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NASCAR, NCGA

Childress Believes NASCAR Could Use More Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Former NASCAR driver and owner of Richard Childress Racing thinks the racing series could go to higher ethanol blends sometime in the future.

Despite media attention regarding an “incident” between him and driver Kyle Busch on Saturday, Richard Childress was happy to come by the American Ethanol tent Sunday and voice his support for corn farmers and the domestically produced fuel.

“I’m a farmer myself and I understand the livelihood of farmers and I think it’s great for America what they are doing to help us not to have to depend on as much foreign energy,” he said. “I hope some day we can run it all on ethanol.”

Childress believes there is a good possibility that NASCAR could go to an even higher ethanol blend than the 15% started this year. “We tested the 30 and it ran really well but I think NASCAR wants to ease into it with fuel injection coming,” he added.

The American Ethanol paint job decorated the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driven by Clint Bowyer at Kansas Speedway on Sunday.

Listen to my interview with Richard Childress here: Richard Childress Supports Ethanol

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

American LeMans, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NASCAR, NCGA

Corn Growers Proud of Ethanol in NASCAR

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn growers are very proud to be a part of bringing the story of ethanol to the nation through NASCAR.

I talked with National Corn Growers Association president Bart Schott (right) of North Dakota and NCGA chairman Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota who were at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at the Kansas Speedway Sunday where American Ethanol was prominently displayed.

“This is the kick off and we’ve been waiting for it to come,” said Schott. “NASCAR has an 80 million fan base that is getting some real positive messages on burning a higher blend of ethanol.” All NASCAR series are running this season on a 15 percent ethanol blend.

Ihnen says they have a great representation at the race from corn farmers and ethanol producers, and they are getting a great message out to the fans with a big American Ethanol exhibit, especially when it comes to making the country less dependent on foreign oil. “The NASCAR fans, when they were polled, energy security is one of their major concerns,” said Ihnen.

Both Schott and Ihnen noted American corn growers are very able to grow enough corn to meet demand for all needs, including ethanol, despite weather issues. Schott says he has all his corn planted for the season while Ihnen does not, but he’s not worried. “It’s a long season,” Darrin said.

Listen to my interview with Bart Schott and Darrin Ihnen here: National Corn Growers at Kansas Speedway

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

American Ethanol, Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NASCAR, NCGA

American Ethanol on the Kansas Speedway

Cindy Zimmerman

The Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race is underway at the Kansas Speedway and American Ethanol is clearly on display.

The American Ethanol logo and paint scheme are not only on Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 Chevrolet, fans are also seeing the American Ethanol logo along the backstretch wall of the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway to spotlight the partnership between the National Corn Growers, ethanol and NASCAR.

About 1200 farmers and ethanol producers from all over the Midwest are here today to cheer on Bowyer, following his first place win Saturday in the Camping World Truck Series. All NASCAR series are running this season on a 15 percent ethanol blend, so no matter who crosses the finish line, ethanol and America are both winners.

See all the race photos here: American Ethanol at NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 400

American Ethanol, corn, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA

Growth Energy Ready for America Ethanol in KS

Cindy Zimmerman

Getting ready for the American Ethanol event at the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race on the Kansas Speedway, some 1200 corn and ethanol supporters are gathering to watch.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis is busy doing media interviews this morning, including a live shot with Fox News. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR, and no fuel more American than domestic ethanol,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “People in Kansas know the benefits of using ethanol as a fuel – from cleaning the air to creating jobs to fostering national energy independence. We’re pleased to raise the green American Ethanol flag in the heartland of America.”

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Tom Buis at Kansas Speedway

Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

Justin Aligaier Wins Inaugural STP 300

Chuck Zimmerman

The inaugural STP 300 Nationwide Series race is in the books. The winner is Justin Aligaier, Brandt Racing, in the #31 car. He actually ran out of fuel right after crossing the finish line. These guys plan it right down to the end!

The Family Farmer/Marquis Energy car driven by Kenny Wallace finished 7th. And since all these cars are running on a fifteen percent blend of ethanol I think farmers win and ethanol producers win. Actually the American public wins with this clean burning fuel. Hopefully the efforts being taken by organizations like American Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association and my sponsor for this event coverage, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, are paying off with better understanding by the public of the benefits and value of home grown fuel.

Here’s the press conference with Justin following victory lane:

Justin Aligaier Press Conference

I’m going to upload some more photos and hit the road. More interviews will be posted in the next couple days.

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Ethanol Burning Under The Lights

Chuck Zimmerman

Kenny Wallace is racing well early here in the STP 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. I’m doing a photo album update and will do another one after the race and winners press conference. I just heard an ethanol commercial in our press room live feed. Sounds great.

I’ve got pictures of all the drivers introductions as well as some from the start including the green flag. I hope you enjoy them and I’ll see you after the race. Meanwhile here’s how the race start sounded.

STP 300 Start Your Engines

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

American Ethanol Car Driver Wins Truck Race

Cindy Zimmerman

American Ethanol will dominate the Kansas Speedway track on Sunday, but the driver who will pilot the American Ethanol car during the the Sprint Cup Series STP 400 race dominated the track on Saturday, winning his first Camping World Truck Series race of the season.

The win was a big deal for Clint Bowyer, who is from Emporia, Kan., as it was his first NASCAR national-series victory in his home state.

“This place means a lot to me. I watched this place being built. I dreamed of being able to race here in anything, and to be able to roll into victory lane … is pretty cool.” Bowyer, however, has unfinished business at his home track. “I want to win a Cup race here bad,” said Bowyer, who will start 27th in Sunday’s STP 400 Cup event.

Just like the Nationwide and Sprint Cup, ethanol is part of the NASCAR truck series, as all vehicles are fueled with Sunoco Green E15. In addition, American Ethanol, which is a partnership between Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, provides weekly prize money for eligible competitors in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series based on finishing position.

On Sunday, race fans will see the American Ethanol logo and paint scheme on Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series STP 400, as well as the American Ethanol logo along the backstretch wall of the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway that will draw attention to the partnership between ethanol and NASCAR.

“It’s truly an honor to have American Ethanol on the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend,” said Bowyer. “Born and raised in Kansas, I support American farmers as they strive to develop energy independence for our country and I look forward to representing American Ethanol both on and off the track this weekend at Kansas Speedway.”

Domestic Fuel has been providing on-site coverage of the Nationwide Series STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend in Illinois and will be covering the Kansas race as well.

Ethanol, NASCAR, Racing

Kenny Wallace Ready To Burn Ethanol In Chicago

Chuck Zimmerman

I finally caught up to NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace today during the hospitality event for Illinois corn and soybean growers. Here’s Kenny signing autographs.

I’ve been following some race car advocates for clean burning ethanol for a while but I think Kenny has them all beat. I wish I had recorded his remarks to the crowd of farmers gathered here today for the Nationwide Series STP 300. It was awesome baby. I especially liked his message to America’s Family Farmers that what they do is important and that they are loved and appreciated regardless of any critics out there. Amen to that! They are feeding and fueling America and I’d rather burn ethanol than imported oil based fuel from countries and people who don’t like us!

Kenny Wallace Interview

STP 300 Nationwide Series NASCAR Weekend Photos

Audio, corn, Ethanol, NASCAR