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MCGA’s Tasseldega Nights Brings Free Racing to Elko Speedway and Deer Creek Speedway

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Tasseldega NightsThe Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is bringing free racing to Elko Speedway and Deer Creek Speedway this summer through a new ethanol-fueled promotion called “Tasseldega Nights.”

Race fans receive free admission to Elko Speedway on June 7 and Deer Creek Speedway on July 19. Once inside the track, fans will have an opportunity to win a 4-pack of tickets and pit passes to the NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 23 and learn more about clean, renewable and homegrown ethanol.

“Tasseldega Nights is another way corn farmers can connect with consumers about the environmental and economic benefits of ethanol.” said Chad Willis, a farmer in Willmar who serves on the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council. “Educating consumers about ethanol is one of our biggest challenges. With Tasseldega Nights, we have an opportunity to reach thousands of loyal Minnesota race fans in metro markets with facts about ethanol.”

In addition to exciting racing action, everyone at the track will have an opportunity to participate in other fun ethanol- and farm-related activities.

  • Take a stroll through the Biofuels Mobile Education Center, a 45-foot trailer packed with interactive displays, videos and information about ethanol and other biofuels that tours the entire country.
  • Sit in the Ag Cab-Lab simulator, a giant simulator where kids can take their turn at the wheel of a tractor of combine and harvest corn, plant soybeans, cultivate a field and play other interactive games.
  • Get a picture with the Ethanol Racer. Jonathan Olmscheid fuels his race car with ethanol as he races at tracks throughout Minnesota. Kids can sit in Jonathan’s car and take pictures before each race.
  • Play games and win prizes from the American Lung Association of Minnesota. American Lung will also have a flex-fuel vehicle on display.
  • Buy your Tasseldega Nights T-shirt. You’re definitely going to want a T-shirt featuring MCGA mascot Ted Tassel to commemorate the event.

MCGA is also sponsoring the inaugural Ethanol Cup at Elko and Deer Creek this racing season.

Drivers who use a minimum of E15 (a high-octane gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol) in their cars will qualify to compete in the Ethanol Cup point fund. The competition will increase the use of homegrown ethanol blends in the local racing scene and is another way for Minnesota corn farmers to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of clean and renewable ethanol to loyal fans of Minnesota racing.

Tasseldega NightsGates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. June 7 at Elko Speedway, which is located about 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities at 26350 France Ave. in Elko. For more information, go to www.elkospeedway.com or RSVP on the event’s Facebook page.

The fun starts at 1 p.m. July 19 at Deer Creek Speedway — about 30 minutes south of Rochester at 25262 Highway 63 in Spring Valley – with a magician, live music and slingshot cars. The main races begin at 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.deercreekspeedway.com or RSVP on the event’s Facebook page.

See you at the track this summer for some ethanol-fueled racing!

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