A tanker truck recently left the Renova Energy plant carrying the first shipment of 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol that will power the IndyCar Series, the first in motorsports to embrace a renewable fuel source, in 2007. At Daytona International Speedway Jan 31-Feb 1, for the first time all IndyCar Series cars were run on the 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol.
The Torrington WY facility was contracted by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to supply approximately 120,000 gallons of the fuel to the IndyCar Series. Renova currently produces 10 million gallons of ethanol a year, with new construction planned for a 20-million-gallon plant in Heyburn ID.
Fuel from Torrington will be shipped to Indianapolis and stored at Superior Solvents and Chemicals, which can store up to 30,000 gallons. Superior's staff of chemists and technicians will be responsible for loading all tanker trailers and distributing the fuel to each IndyCar Series Open Test and race events during the season.