Roots Special: Iowa Corn 300 Recap

Promoting ethanol to a worldwide audience, the 2018 running of the Iowa Corn 300 will be one for the record books. For 12 years, Iowa Corn has been privileged to partner with the Iowa Speedway and IndyCar to showcase the clean-burning, lower cost of ethanol to corn growers, race fans and consumers.

On July 8, 2018, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe brought home his second win at the Iowa Corn 300 taking the lead with just over 40 laps remaining.

“The crowd is always great here,” Hinchcliffe said. “The support from the Iowa Corn has been there from day one, which is just awesome to see as somebody involved in the business side of the sport.”

This year’s race also included many unique aspects showcasing Iowa Corn farmers and the corn-based ethanol that fuels IndyCars. The new pit row of corn display features fuel nozzles coming out of the stalks placed in the inner track and on the start/finish line of the Iowa Speedway track were highlights — these displays were placed to make the connection to the cornfields of Iowa to the ethanol-powered racing on the track.

Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Duane Aistrope launched the race with, “Drivers, start your Iowa corn ethanol powered engines,” while Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Recker waved the green flag. Aistrope and Recker presented Hinchcliffe with the Iowa Corn 300 trophy in victory lane.

“Iowa Corn would like to congratulate James Hinchcliffe on his second win at the Iowa Corn 300,” Aistrope said. “This event offers race fans an up-close view of the power and performance of corn-made ethanol on the fastest short track on the planet! Iowa corn farmers work hard to raise their corn crop each year and Iowa Corn works hard on their behalf to expand the access to ethanol-blended fuel wherever you pull up to the pump. It’s a great way to remind consumers to fill up like the pros.”

More than 1,500 members and race fans heard from Iowa’s ethanol fighting leaders including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, U.S. Congressman David Young, U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenny.

“I am so proud to be the governor of the No. 1 corn and ethanol producing state in the country and proud of our long tradition of feeding and fueling the world,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa’s innovative farmers and our productive fields have proven that we can indeed do both. I’m proud of our Iowa farmers who work hard every single day and they are a big reason Iowa is the No. 1 state in the country.”

Iowa Corn distributed more than 1,000 water bottles to race fans at the speedway entrances, educating and advocating to consumers about how farmers care about the water we all share. Attendees also enjoyed a sweet corn feed which was hosted in partnership with Premier Chevrolet. More than 1,500 ears of sweet corn were distributed, giving farmers a chance to educate consumers on the differences of field corn versus sweet corn.

Iowa Corn has announced they will not renew their title sponsorship of the Iowa Corn 300 beginning in 2019 to focus on the new demand opportunities. The Iowa Corn 300 is a great platform to showcase the power and performance of ethanol, educate consumers on how farmers grow food & fuel and the thousands of products made from corn. “It was a tough decision made by both the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association farmer-leaders who felt it was time to explore new avenues to build new demand for our corn crop,” explained Aistrope.

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