Check-in on the Checkoff: Grown by Farmers, Loved by Fans

By: Ralph Lents

Ralph Lents is a farmer from Menlo, Iowa, and currently serves as the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) President and on the Industrial Usage & U.S. Production Committee.

Last year, we hosted the inaugural Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. This was the first ever NASCAR Cup Series race within the state, and the event garnered over 2.693 million views on the USA network alone, capturing the attention of viewers around the world.  

As soon as you arrived at the speedway you could feel the excitement in the air. Fans from all over gathered to cheer on their favorite racers while supporting Iowa’s corn farmers. Race enthusiasts witnessed first-hand the power and performance of Unleaded 88, a fuel that powers NASCAR lap after lap, and 95% of vehicles on the road today.  

As the title partner of the Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, Iowa Corn was given a platform to showcase the versatility of corn on a national stage to over 30,000 fans in the stands and millions of viewers. The partnership highlighted education, market development and research – hitting all of the pillars the Iowa Corn Promotion Board invests in to drive corn demand.  

The race celebrated all of Iowa’s hardworking corn farmers by highlighting the vital role of American agriculture, serving as a powerful reminder that each gallon of ethanol is backed by a dedicated farmer committed to providing food, feed, fiber and fuel to consumers. Their products not only fuels vehicles but also support the global community, bridging the gap between rural fields and urban roads. 

The 2025 race will be held on Sunday, August 3, and we hope to see you there. For more information, visit https://www.iowacorn.org. 

Thank you,

Ralph Lents

Iowa Corn Promotion Board President