American Ethanol Summer 2017 | Page 25

“Drivers, Start Your Engines” by Austin Broin The American Ethanol E15 250 held at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on June 24 was a notable success for the U.S. ethanol industry. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, served as grand marshal and gave the famous “Drivers, Start Your Engines” call. Brendan Gaughan of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) competed in the red Kum & Go/American Ethanol/ E15 No. 62 car, and finished 24th in the XFINITY Series race. Iowa State University engineering students interested in renewable energy were on hand and toured the No. 62 hauler. Along with Gaughan and Skor, RCR XFINITY Trackside Manager Danny Lawrence, discussed with them the benefits of E15 on and off the track. These students are members of a club building a solar powered car expected to race up the east coast of Australia next summer. NASCAR racers Before the race, a press panel have run more than including Gaughan and Skor, along with Enogen’s Ron 10 million miles Wulfkuhle and Kum & Go’s Jim on Sunoco Green Pirolli, discussed how American E15 Ethanol and E15 positively impacts so many—from the seed company (Enogen) to the driver (Gaughan) and everyone in between. Gaughan explained the benefits of higher ethanol blends for NASCAR drivers, mechanics, and employees, as well as for the daily driver. Skor participated in radio interviews with AgWeb, KMA Radio, and Motor Racing Network Radio, and communicated the importance of E15 to engine performance, the environment, and the consumer’s pocket book. Above left: Brendan Gaughan during qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway on June 24, in Newton, Iowa. (Photo courtesy of NASCAR) Above: Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor poses with William Byron, driver of the #9 AXALTA/WINDSORWin- dow&Door Chevrolet, after Byron won the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250. (HHP/Andrew Coppley) Left: (From l to r) Enogen’s Ron Wulfkuhle, Growth Energy’s Emily Skor, Kum & Go’s Jim Pirolli, and RCR No. 62 driver Brendan Gaughan at a press conference in the media center at Iowa Speedway. SUMMER 2017 25