Pace Truck Laps

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

After the Ethanol Summit program was over, it was time for a ride around the track. USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr is inside the truck you see here on his second lap.

I got to ride in the truck afterward. They allowed 3 of us to ride along with the driver. I interviewed them all as we were making our laps today in the Chevrolet Ethanol Pace Truck.

The guys in the truck with me were Dan Edwards, Indy Track Racking Operations Director (driver), National Corn Growers Association Chairman, Leon Corzine and Waitt Farm Network Director, Emery Kleven. Emery took the picture of me in the back seat with Leon. You can listen to the interview here: Indy Pace Truck Interview (3 min MP3)

Just to make it interesting I also shot video clips. The first one here is a Pace Truck drive-by with the USDA Sec. inside. The second one is my ride inside the truck while doing the interview you can hear above.

Pace Car Drive-By (1 min wmv)

Pace Car Laps (3 min wmv)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing, Video

Ethanol Summit Panel

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

At the conclusion of today’s Ethanol Summit, a little panel discussion was held.

Pictured are (l-r) EPIC Executive Director, Tom Slunecka, Indiana Lt. Governor, Becky Skillman and USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr.

I shot a short video clip of one of their answers for you.

You can watch it here: Ethanol Summit Panel (3 min wmv)

EPIC, Ethanol, Video

Update From Ethanol Car Driver

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

I had to get in one picture today! Here I’m interviewing Jeff Simmons, driver of the Rahal-Letterman Ethanol Car.

Jeff describes how his backup car is performing. He had to move to it after a little wall incident with the other car last week.

Jeff also says that the attention ethanol is getting from the people here at the Ethanol Summit, like USDA Under Sec. Tom Dorr, is overdue.

You can listen my interview with Jeff here: Jeff Simmons Interview (2 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

EPIC Executive Director

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

The Executive Director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is Tom Slunecka, who spoke to the crowd at the Ethanol Summit just a little while ago.

Tom made a point of saying how important a role the media and consumers play in the development of alternative fuels like ethanol. He urged consumers to look at what the gas pump is providing and if it doesn’t have ethanol, to ask for it.

I recorded Tom’s remarks for you. You can listen to them here: Tom Slunecka Remarks (5 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

USDA Provides Financial Assistance

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

The keynote speaker today at the Ethanol Summit here at the Indianapolis Speedway was USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr.

I interviewed the Secretary and asked him what his department is doing to assist in the development of alternative fuels. He says that the main ways they help are by providing small grants to companies that are starting up and developing alternative fuel alternatives like ethanol and then some initial financing in the form of low interest loans.

You can listen to my interview with Secretary Dorr here: Secretary Dorr Interview (4 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Government, Indy Racing

Greg Dana Remarks

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

One of the first speakers at today’s Ethanol Summit was the late Paul Dana’s brother Greg.

Greg talked about the vision and mission Paul had in bringing together the ethanol industry and the IRL. He paid a great tribute to his brother and I have to believe it was a tough thing to do here today in front of so many people in the industry who worked with and miss Paul. He did a great job though and I’ve got his full comments for you.

You can listen to Greg’s remarks here: Greg Dana Remarks (7 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Farmer and Administrator Meet Up

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

Prior to the start of the program here at the Ethanol Summit at the Indianapolis Speedway the chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, Leon Corzine (left), met with USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr.

It’s not the first time the Secretary has been here in Indianapolis and I’m sure it won’t be his last.

Dorr’s department is very involved with assisting in the growth of infrastructure for alternative fuels around the country as you’ll hear in a post coming up with my interview with him.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Ethanol Summit Underway

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

The Ethanol Summit is now in full swing. Buddy Rahal and his 3 drivers got us started with short statements. Tony George, President of the IRL, (pictured) just finished speaking.

Right now Greg Dana, brother to the late Paul Dana is speaking. It’s a very emotional moment and you can hear it in his voice. I know we all wish Paul was still here with us to celebrate this week’s race and the use of ethanol in the Indy car tanks.

I’ll have a number of posts with audio for you after the morning’s activities are completed. Coming up on the agenda are several more speakers.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

Ethanol Car Driver

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

To get you in the Indy mood today, here’s an interview I did on Ethanol Day with the number 17 car driver, Jeff Simmons.

Jeff talks about the significance of the event. He talks about how his fellow drivers feel about putting ethanol in their cars.

You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: Jeff Simmons Interview (3 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

Ethanol Forum At Indy

Chuck Zimmerman May 25, 2006

It’s a beautiful Thursday morning trackside here in Indianapolis as we get ready for the Ethanol Forum. As you know, our primary sponsor is the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and they are very involved in the event being held here this morning.

On the agenda this morning we’re going to hear from people like Jeff Simmons, Bobby Rahal, Danica Patrick, Buddy Rice, Tony George, Tom Slunecka, Becky Skillman and USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr. I’ll have audio and pictures later today for you.

Hopefully, the rain that passed through last night will leave us alone this morning.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

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