Renewable Fuels Supporters Tout Ethanol at Iowa Speedway

It was a big day for Iowa supporters of renewable fuels, with the first-ever Iowa Corn Indy 250 held at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. An estimated crowd of more than 35,000 attended the race, and it was watched by a nationwide television audience on ABC.

Lead sponsors of the event were the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, highlighting the fact that Indy league cars are all fueled by pure ethanol. Driver Dario Franchitti won the race, and will go down in history as the first-ever winner of the Iowa Corn Indy 250.

Iowa elected officials applauded the new speedway and showed their support for renewable fuels at the event. Pictured are Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Lt. Governor Patty Judge (my mom), Governor Chet Culver, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Chuck Grassley and Iowa Speedway General Manager Craig Armstrong.


Senators Harkin and Grassley, my mom, and Secretary Northey get a look at the track shortly before the race.

Senators Harkin and Grassley hopped in this Honda Accord hybrid vehicle with my mom (and a professional driver). They had the honor of taking a fast lap around the track.

The Honda speeds around the track at about 100 miles per hour, giving the Senators and my mom a little bit of an idea of what its like to race around the Iowa Speedway.

The guys from Orange County Choppers, known for the TV show American Chopper, show off their custom E-85 motorcycle that was made especially for the Iowa Corn Indy 250.
American Chopper star Paul Teutul Sr. heads out on the E-85 chopper for a ride.