Monday, October 18, 2010

NASCAR says it will use E15 in 2011

The ethanol industry scored a public-relations boost over the weekend as NASCAR announced it would begin using E15 blend gasoline beginning in 2011. The auto-racing circuit announced "it will utilize a 15 percent ethanol blend fuel provided by Sunoco in its three national series – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks – beginning next season," Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer reports. NASCAR said the ethanol it uses will come from U.S. corn farmers.

"While fueling the same close, door-to-door racing that thrills our fans, American ethanol creates jobs in the United States, helps foster energy independence and continues the greening of our sport," said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s director of competition, told Utter that testing with the fuel has shown a modest increase in horsepower. "We can’t make mistakes in this area," France said. "This has got to be a smooth transition. We’re pretty confident it will be just that." (Read more)

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