There will be something new for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 this year,-ábut most fans won't notice the addition.
For the first time since 1965, the Indy Racing League is using a fuel other than methanol in the cars.-áThis year a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent methanol will be used.
But the Speedway has no plans to change the name of "Gasoline Alley" anytime soon.
In the past, methanol has been the predominately used fuel for the race. But in the 1927 race, Leon Duray experimented with ethanol.
"We are proud to partner with the ethanol industry to showcase a great American fuel source," said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the IRL.
It is not only renewable but is also made in the United States.
Used as a cleaner burning fuel additive, ethanol is an alcohol created by distilling grain mash, usually from corn.
Top ethanol producing states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Tennessee.
The ethanol blend was first introduced to the IndyCar Series earlier this season in Homestead, Fla., and was used again in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The IRL senior technical director, Phil Casey, has expected the ethanol blend to have little effect on the race.
The cars shouldn't sound, smell or run any differently than before, Casey said.
But over the next two seasons, the 500 will change over to 100 percent ethanol fuel.
Out of the 3.5 billion gallons of ethanol produced this year, the IRL will use only 160,000. The IRL also hopes to prove that ethanol performs just as well as gasoline and other fuels. By 2012 expected ethanol production should reach 7.5 billion gallons.
Ethanol burns hotter and cleaner in the engine compared to methanol.-áAlso, ethanol-blended fuel has more oxygen than regular gasoline so it burns more completely. Interestingly, ethanol is chemically similar to moonshine, but with detergents and additives for the engine.-á
Ethanol is a drinkable alcohol, the active ingredient in beer, wine and spirits. However, fuel-grade ethanol is blended with gasoline, so ingesting it would be hazardous to your health.
With Sam Hornish, Jr., breaking the qualifying track record at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this season, the ethanol blend has proven its ability against the formerly used methanol.
When Paul Dana, a big promoter of ethanol, lost his life earlier this season in an accident in Homestead, his team members were the ones to take over his promotion efforts. Danica Patrick, last year's rookie of the year and team member to the late Dana, is taking the the task of ethanol promotion seriously, emphasizing its environmental benefits.
Ethanol is a great thing to promote since it's a renewable source of fuel, Patrick said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
