Going Green May Mean Faster Cars for NASCAR

The starter's flag won't be the only thing 'Green' at NASCAR races in 2011. NASCAR announced in a press conference today that teams in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series should be prepared to run their racers on Sunoco's Green E15 ethanol blended fuel throughout Daytona Speed Weeks and the rest of the 2011 season.

This step is the latest in NASCAR's Green Program which has benchmarked some fairly bold initiatives for an industry that leaves such an enduring carbon footprint on the planet. Sunoco, NASCAR's fuel supplier will introduce their Green E15 fuel which will be blended in Fulton, New York, with the ethanol provided from corn grown by American farmers. The blend will be dispensed at the track from trucks instead of in ground tanks. Early testing by NASCAR team engine builders has shown promising results. Some engine departments are actually finding additional horsepower with the new blend of fuel.

NASCAR has undergone some comprehensive 'Green' changes since the inception of its Green Program and has seen generous support for their conservation initiatives including recycling from the teams, tracks and sponsors alike. Nascar Plaza in Charlotte, the home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame is LEED certified, as is the home of NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation in Daytona Beach. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Some of NASCAR's green efforts include Pocono Raceway's ground breaking achievement to provide the facility with 3 megawatts of power generated by a solar energy system. Not only does the system provide for all the electrical needs of the track, but provides power for Pocono area homes as well.

NASCAR also has their Green Clean Air Program. The initiative that is aimed at reducing the sport's carbon footprint plants 10 new trees for every green flag that drops during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The program claims to capture 100% of the carbon produced by the on track competition at each race.

NASCAR also claims the largest recycling program for any sport. The program includes sponsors Coors Light, Office Depot, UPS and Coca-Cola Recycling, and anticipates capturing and reclaiming over 100 tons of recyclable material during NASCAR events next season. Additionally NASCAR and NASCAR teams recycle all tires, oils, fluids and batteries used in NASCAR racing.

Some will claim this is not enough with the troubles that green house gasses present for the future of the planet, but NASCAR has stepped up and is continually working to further their efforts and make our sport less of a burden on the world.