One of the people who spoke at the 2007 Ethanol Ceremony was the Vice President of the Indy Racing League, John Lewis.
John says the IRL is very proud to be the racing league that is the first to make a fuel conversion to ethanol. He says it fits right into their tradition of leading the way with innovations that are important and useful to all Americans.
I interviewed John after the ceremony and you can listen here: 
John Lewis Interview (5 min MP3)
In a forward-looking ceremony this evening the Indy Racing League and Team Ethanol held a ribbon cutting ceremony to re-emphasize the League’s decision to move to 100 percent ethanol as its fuel source in 2007.
This has been a transition year with a 10 percent blend of ethanol. Everyone seems very pleased with the performance of Indy cars on the blend this year. They’re really looking forward to what next year will be like when they’re burning even more American made fuel.
Pictured are officials from the ethanol industry and the Indy Racing League.
Bobby Rahal is very happy with his Team Ethanol car and driver Jeff Simmons this weekend (so far). That’s what he told me in an interview just a few minutes ago.
I was hoping to be able to interview one of the owners of Rahal-Letterman Racing and got my opportunity by the garages. Bobby says that he’s happy with the performance of the ethanol blend of fuel that’s being used this year in all Indy cars. He joked that he wishes he was the only one who could be using it.
Like most people who are involved in the ethanol industry he’s a believer in what using ethanol means to the environment and in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. He’s happy that the Indy Racing League has had the opporunity to be the showcase for how well ethanol works as a performance fuel.
You can listen to my interview with the Bobby here: Bobby Rahal Interview (4 min MP3)
I think we’ll be seeing a lot of this over the next year as the Indy Racing League moves to 100 percent ethanol fuel.
I don’t know if this is the first time this banner has been on display but it’s the first I’ve seen it.
This is the front of Liz and John Fry’s RV here at Chicagoland Speedway. You met them in my last post.
They say they’re Jeff Simmons biggest fans. They’re Liz and John Fry.
They’ve got an RV out here in the infield at Chicagoland Speedway and are ready to root for the Team Ethanol car tomorrow.
I interviewed Liz and John after hearing about their belief in ethanol and enthusiasm for following Jeff Simmons.
You can listen to my interview with the Fry’s here: Interview With The Fry’s (3 min MP3)
Speaking of EPIC members and fans.
Here’s a couple of them at the track today enjoying the sunshine and the racing.
As I write we’ve got the last race of the day taking place. I hope they had some sun block (I wish I’d put on some sun block!).
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has a number of members on hand here for Chicago racing weekend. This morning they were checking people in before heading out to the track.
EPIC members here represent a variety of companies who are directly involved in the production and promotion of ethanol. This evening they’ll all be gathered here at the track to hear from leaders in the industry and with the IRL as they talk about next year’s switch to 100 percent ethanol fuel.
Jeff had an awesome practice session today.
At one point he made it a 3 car wide practice lap as he was passing other cars. That got everyone excited.
Jeff ended up with the 7th fastest practice lap this morning at 214.152 MPH.
I never get tired of hearing these engines whine on a 10 percent ethanol blend. If you haven’t heard them, here’s a sound clip that starts while Jeff is still in the pit and for about a minute after he peals out: Practice Laps (1 min MP3)
Here’s a very confident looking race car driver.
This is Jeff Simmons about to get in his car for some practice laps this morning.
I talked to Jeff at yesterday’s 7-11 ethanol pump promotion. He says he’s had a lot of luck here at this track and can’t wait to get out on it. Well he’s about to. You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: Jeff Simmons Interview (3 min MP3)
Here’s the Rahal-Letterman Team Ethanol car being moved out to the pits for this morning’s practice session.
These guys have been working very hard on the car and now it’s time to see how it’s running.
This track has been good for driver Jeff Simmons and we hope that luck will continue this weekend.
