On Dec. 2, top National Corn Growers Association leadership met with officials from NASCAR and Growth Energy in Las Vegas, Nevada to announce the signing of an agreement stating every NASCAR vehicle would be fueled with a 15 percent ethanol blend beginning in 2011. The official announcement, which featured a parade of NASCAR drivers and ethanol industry leaders, raised pulses as the move toward E15 shifted into full gear.

NCGA President Bart Schott, First Vice President Garry Niemeyer and Chairman Darrin Ihnen, along with a delegation of grower leaders and CEO Rick Tolman, represented the organization during the highly publicized festivities. To hear their thoughts on the day, the new American Ethanol and NASCAR initiative and the future of ethanol, click here.

As part of the multi-year agreement, America Ethanol will be highlighted on every vehicle running in a NASCAR race and be prominent on NASCAR's Green Flag. In addition, American Ethanol will sponsor a new award for every race, be featured on-site race day events and more. American Ethanol will support drivers, teams and tracks with marketing, promotional activities and advertising.

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities - from individual ethanol plants to NCGA to biotech companies - are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their ethanol message.

For more information, visit www.americanethanolracing.com.