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I wanna grow fast: Ethanol-fueled Tasseldega Nights a success

July 13, 2015

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When gates opened for Tasseldega Nights at Deer Creek Speedway just south of Rochester on Saturday afternoon, race fans kept coming, and coming, and coming, and coming….

Nearly 4,500 fans took advantage of free admission courtesy of Minnesota’s corn farmers at Saturday’s Tasseldega Nights. The event was a way for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) to promote clean, renewable and homegrown ethanol. Young and old, individuals and families, kids and grown-ups — the crowd was a great mix of people and the perfect audience for MCGA to connect with about the benefits of ethanol.

In addition to the racing action, fans had the opportunity to walk through the Biofuels Mobile Education Center, get their picture with an ethanol-powered race car, win great prices from the American Lung Association in Minnesota and stop by the MCGA tent for several great ethanol-themed giveaways.

MCGA’s two Tasseldega Nights events — the other was held June 6 at Elko Speedway near the Twin Cities — drew nearly 14,000 people and generated widespread media coverage in the area. If you weren’t able to make either racing event, here are some photos.

Hopefully, we’ll see you at Tasseldega Nights 2016!

MCGA mascot Ted Tassel was front and center when the green flag dropped to kick off the feature races at Deer Creek Speedway.

Here's ethanol-powered driver Jonathan Olmscheid zooming around Deer Creek Speedway. Before the races, Olmscheid spent time near the grandstand to talk ethanol with fans and posing for pictures with fans by his car. Thank you, Jonathan! — Here’s ethanol-powered driver Jonathan Olmscheid zooming around Deer Creek Speedway. Before the races, Olmscheid spent time near the grandstand to talk ethanol with fans and pose for pictures with fans by his car. Thank you, Jonathan!

Almost 9,000 fans packed the stands for Tasseldega Nights at Elko Speedway on June 6.

This "Homegrown Vroooom!" billboard promotes ethanol year-round at Elko Speedway. — This “Homegrown Vroooom!” billboard promotes ethanol year-round at Elko Speedway.

The Braham Supermileage Challenge team had its ethanol-fueled cars on display at Elko. — The Braham High School Supermileage Challenge team had its ethanol-fueled cars on display at Elko Speedway.

Talking ethanol at the Biofuels Mobile Education Center at Deer Creek Speedway.

Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council member Scott Winslo (who also farms in Fountain, Minn.) drove the American Ethanol truck around the Deer Creek track during the national anthem. Yes, that's Ted Tassel in the back! — Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council member Scott Winslow (who also farms in Fountain, Minn.) drove the American Ethanol truck around the Deer Creek track during the national anthem. Yes, that’s Ted Tassel in the back!