ACE Conference 2026

A NASCAR Conversation at FEW

Chuck Zimmerman

Our “Keynote Conversation” this morning at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop was between Brian France, NASCAR CEO (left) and Tom Buis, Growth Energy, CEO. These two CEO’s talked about the relationship between the racing league and American Ethanol and what it means for ethanol producers and the general public. As we have seen with the Indy Racing League starting several years ago and continuing today, the high performance race cars of NASCAR are now proving that they can run just fine on a fifteen percent blend. At the beginning of the conversation you’ll hear Brian talk about how well ethanol performs in their cars. “Our industry with a lot of testing in the most difficult circumstances, 500 miles at 200MPH . . . this fuel has been a great fuel for NASCAR and we’re happy to be your partner.” He says it has been a step in the direction of going green since the fuel reduces emissions. I think you’ll find the conversation very enlightening, especially if you’re one of the critics out there who for some reason refuse to believe the facts on performance and why we should all be supporting an American made biofuel.

You can listen to or download the conversation here. A NASCAR Conversation at FEW

2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Audio, Ethanol, FEW

Ethanol Express on the Water

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ethanol Express was one of more than 50 racing boats that sped around Cedar Valley Reservoir running ten percent ethanol fuel (E10) at the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals” this past weekend in Garnett, Kansas, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

The custom boat is piloted by “Burnin’ Vernon” Barfield, a boat racer from Kansas who hosted the race in Garnett. “We’re running a bone stock engine on that particular boat and it has been testing out about 81-82 miles an hour,” said Barfield, pictured below showing off the boat to some young fans.

RFA partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. “We’ve stuck with pump fuel, right out of the same pump that everyone else is using to put in their cars. We mix in our oil, and that’s what we run in our two-strokers, been running it all year and I personally have had no problems whatsoever,” said Barfield. “The only thing that I’m seeing, which is a pleasant surprise, is just a little more speed.”

Barfield says he believes that with proper maintenance, boat engines run just fine on ethanol-blended fuel. “I think it’s just an unfair scenario that everybody likes to blame ethanol because he’s the new kid on the block,” and he thinks over time every one will embrace ethanol “because it keeps Americans working.”

Listen to my interview with Vernon Barfield here: Burnin' Vernon Barfield

Each race in each class is just three laps around a relatively small course, which takes a total of about three minutes. Takes a look in the video below:

See photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, Video

NCGA CEO Receives FEW High Octane Award

Chuck Zimmerman

At the beginning of this morning’s opening session of the Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association, was presented the High Octane Award by Tom Bryan, BBI International. I will post Rick’s comments later this morning after this plenary session.

Our morning session includes a conversation between NASCAR CEO Brian France and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. That’s taking place now. I will also have that posted later today as well.

Post Update: Here are Rick’s comments from this morning’s award presentation. Rick Tolman Award Remarks

2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, NCGA

The 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Kicks Off

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is underway in Indianapolis, IN. The program gets underway tomorrow. I’ll be providing photos and interviews during the next several days.

I got in during the opening reception which was held in the trade show. It was a nice relaxing time to catch up with friends in the industry.

The program is fully packed with simultaneous workshops and general sessions that will cover some of the most current issues in the industry. I’m collecting photos in an online photo album which you can find here: 2011 FEW Photo Album

Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

FEW, RFA

Racing Boats on Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

All of the more than 50 boats that raced in this past weekend’s National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals” had to prove they were using 10 percent ethanol fuel in order to compete for prize money in the race sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

“We have fuel testing to make sure we’re running ethanol because of the contingency prize money,” said NBRA president Dan Crummett. “We are testing all the fuel before the race and then the top three entries in any class are tested when they come in to make sure they are running ethanol.”

The simple fuel test is done with a vial marketed by Mercury Marine that uses water to allow the ethanol to come out of suspension with the fuel to be measured. Most of the racing fuel is purchased at local gas stations since regular unleaded in most areas contains 10 percent ethanol.

The NBRA races include a number of different classes with light, single person boats than run as fast as 96 miles per hour. “We race stock and modified outboards with hydroplanes and runabouts,” said Crummett. Ethanol is a sponsor for all the NBRA races being held around the country this year to show its performance in marine engines. Crummett says most of the issues that boaters experience when using ethanol-blended fuel are maintenance related. “Any fuel will degrade over not a long period of time once the oil is mixed in it,” he says, which is why it’s so important for boaters to avoid leaving fuel in the tank for an extended time without running the engine.

Listen to my interview with Dan Crummett here and watch him demonstrate the ethanol test in the video below: NBRA President Dan Crummett

See photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Racing, RFA, Video

Ethanol Producing Town Hosts Boat Race

Cindy Zimmerman

Boat racers from coast to coast gathered in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas over the weekend to speed around Cedar Valley Reservoir on ten percent ethanol fuel (E10) at the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals.”

“This was an opportunity to tell our story that E10 blends will run in any commercial type of vehicle, whether boats, auto or whatever,” said Steve Gardner, general manager of Garnett’s ethanol plant East Kansas Agri-Energy. “If this will run in racing boats, it will run in any type of boats.”

Gardner (pictured here in the middle) is on the board of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) which partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. The partnership includes the use of the RFA “Fueled with Pride” logo on signage around the racing events, as well as on all the racers boats and haulers.

Representatives from RFA, East Kansas Agri-Energy, and the Kansas Corn Growers Association had a hospitality tent at the race this past weekend and handed out fan bags to help provide information and answer questions about the use of ethanol in marine engines.

Listen to my interview with Steve Gardner here: East Kansas Agri-Energy at NBRA Boat Race

Get an idea of how loud and fast these speed boats are here: NBRA Boat Race

See photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Marco Andretti Wins Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

In an American corn ethanol fueled race at Iowa Speedway, Marco Andretti wins the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in Victory Lane with leaders of the Iowa Corn Growers.

Following Victory Lane Marco and his Dad, Michael Andretti, held the winners press conference. I asked him his thoughts on racing in front of 2,500 corn growers and using fuel they grew. I had just interviewed him two days ago at a local ethanol promotion. He says, “I think it’s great we can be green and still have performance. We’re thankful to have their support. I love this place. Iowa’s great.” Marco Andretti Ethanol Remark

You can listen to the full press conference here: Marco/Michael Andretti Press Conference

2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Green Flag For Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

The fifth running of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is underway and has been an exciting race so far. Here’s the green flag being waved by Iowa Corn Growers Association President Dean Taylor.

Once again this year Mindy Larson Poldberg, Director of Govt. Relations for the Iowa Corn Growers sang the National Anthem during the pre-race activities. I’ve recorded that for you and just updated my photo album. Hope you enjoy them. I’ll have the winner later this evening. National Anthem

2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Pioneer Presenting Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s what the hood of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 official pace car looks like. It’s proudly displaying the Pioneer logo as the presenting sponsor.

Todd says the relationship with the Iowa Corn Growers in sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 has been very beneficial. As he puts it, “It’s a great event for the state of Iowa. It’s great for agriculture.” All of the cars racing this evening will be running on 100% corn ethanol showing how well the fuel performs in an engine. Pioneer brings in a lot of their customers for the event. In fact, I’ve heard that there will be approximately 2,500 farmers at the race track today. I’ll be out on location this afternoon in advance of tonight’s race. Let’s hope the weather improves. Todd Frazier Interview

2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Danica Patrick Says Ethanol Is Great

Chuck Zimmerman

After practice runs for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 Indy Car driver Danica Patrick held a press conference.

I asked her for a comment on having Iowa corn growers supporting this race again and what she thinks about racing with ethanol. She said, “I think that we’re in definitely in an age where everybody is doing what they can to take care of this wonderful world we live in. Ethanol is definitely something that has been a real presence in IndyCar years ago to NASCAR now. It’s really great.” Danica Patrick Ethanol Remark

You can listen to the full press conference with Danica here: Danica Patrick Press Conference

2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing