[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4691-S4692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE INDY RACING LEAGUE

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to applaud the Indy Racing 
League, IRL, for its decision to use ethanol in its race cars and the 
impact that decision has had on efforts to inform Americans about this 
important alternative fuel. Since 1911, Indiana has been the center of 
the autoracing world, setting the standard in racing for drivers and 
fans alike. And now, the Indy Racing League is setting a new standard, 
this time for greater energy independence.

[[Page S4692]]

  This year all of the IndyCars will race on a 10-percent ethanol blend 
before switching to a 100-percent ethanol fuel next year. With this 
change, the corn harvested on farms across the country will power the 
fastest cars in the world.
  The ethanol that will power its race cars will deliver the same high-
performance capabilities that drivers rely on, only without harmful air 
pollution. It also represents an important step toward reducing 
America's dependence on foreign oil, by providing a renewable energy 
source grown in our own fields. By tapping the energy potential of 
America's farm fields, we can ensure a reliable domestic energy supply 
to meet our Nation's needs while ending our reliance on unstable 
countries such as Saudia Arabia, Russia, and Venezuela for their oil 
and creating thousands of jobs for Hoosier farmers.
  Every Memorial Day weekend, millions of Americans and sports fans 
from around the world watch the Indy 500. But this year, when they tune 
in to see who wins the Brickyard, they will also be watching the future 
of American energy unfold at 220 miles per hour.
  With its decision to use ethanol as the fuel for the IndyCar series, 
the IRL is leading the way to encourage greater public use of renewable 
fuels. After all, if a high-performance vehicle can win the Brickyard 
running on ethanol, then surely ethanol is good enough for the family 
minivan, too.
  I have introduced a bipartisan bill that will promote the use of 
ethanol and other biofuels, and I will continue to support efforts to 
find new ways to use ethanol in the future. I applaud the Indy Racing 
League for leading the way in this effort and, along with thousands of 
other Hoosiers, look forward to this year's ethanol-powered races.

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