Free Republic

Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis 500 will soon become Ethanol Alley: The Indy Racing League is switching from methanol to a new mixture relying on corn-derived ethanol. The league's IndyCar Series will start using ethanol next year, the league said Wednesday. It's a small market for ethanol, involving 160,000 gallons out of 3.5 billion produced each year. But it's a big symbolic gesture meant to counter perceptions that ethanol doesn't perform as well as gasoline or other fuels. "It's a performance fuel that's going to go around the track at 220 miles an hour," said Dave Vander Griend, president of...

[snip]This might be the last year [Robby Gordon or anyone for that matter] can attempt the Memorial Day weekend double. Officials at ABC have discussed the possibility of pushing the starting time of the Indy 500 back by a couple of hours to help with TV ratings. If that happens, the chance of anyone competing in both races is diminished. "It would mess it up, but it is what it is," Gordon said. "I think that would be a mistake on the IRL's side because then Tony Stewart or myself would never be able to come over and compete. "It...

Friday, May 23, 2003Crumbling Brickyard-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jim Armstrong Special to Page 2 Gentlemen, start your apathy. And since, outside of Hootie Johnson's house, we're all one big, gender-equal, happy family, you can, too, ladies. Ignore the Indy 500, that is. There was a time not so long ago when Indy had more It than the Addams family tree. The Battle at the Brickyard was as ingrained in American culture as rock 'n' roll, backseat makeout sessions at the drive-in and church on Sunday. Memorial Day weekends were reserved for Indy, double-headers, SPF 8, and backyard burgers and brewskis. In the...

<p>Former President George H.W. Bush's office confirmed Friday that the 41st president will be in town to watch the Indianapolis 500 on May 25.</p> <p>He won't be the only former president at the Speedway on race day. President Bill Clinton's visit to the track was announced a few weeks ago.</p>