Indy Racing League founder Tony George joined
two-time series champion and current points leader Sam Hornish Jr.
on a visit to the White House earlier this week, and President Bush
took the opportunity to praise the IndyCar Series for its
leadership in bringing the alternative fuel source ethanol to
motorsports.
"You're the leading edge, leading edge," said Bush, who has
touted exploration and support of alternative fuel sources in his
State of the Union address the past two years.
The IRL is using a 10 percent ethanol, 90 percent methanol blend
to fuel IndyCar Series cars this season, but will covert to 100
percent fuel-grade ethanol for all races in 2007, including the
91st Indianapolis 500.
Ethanol industry officials hope that fueling the IndyCar Series
will help spread the word about ethanol's benefits as a motor fuel,
not only in high-dollar Indy cars, but also in everyday sedans,
minivans and SUVs.
"The IndyCar Series always has been recognized for its
technical leadership in automobile racing and now it is the
industry's leader in renewable and environmentally responsible
energy," said Brian Barnhart, president of the IRL. "We are proud
to partner with the ethanol industry to showcase a great American
fuel source."