Legendary No. 3 Returns to Daytona with American Ethanol

When the great Dale Earnhardt died in a horrific, head-on crash at Daytona in 2001, his number 3 was informally retired by team owner Richard Childress. Now, more than a decade later, the number 3 returns to Daytona with Richard Childress’ grandson, Austin Dillon. Dillon, for his part, wasted no time in returning the number 3 to glory, scoring the pole position at the 2014 Daytona 500 race with a black and white no. 3 Chevrolet … powered, in part, by American Ethanol.

Childress and his RCR NASCAR teams have been vocal supporters of ethanol’s use in reliable, high-performance engines for years- as well as tacit supporters of the Renewable Fuels Act. Add to all of the above the fact that NASCAR racers have successfully logged more than 5 million miles on an ethanol/gasoline Sunoco fuel mix without fuel-related failures in recent years, and you can see why we’re all so interested in Dillon’s progress here at Gas 2. Go, Austin!

You can read more about Austin’s chase for Daytona glory with American Ethanol in the company’s official press release, below. Enjoy!

American Ethanol Enhances Partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Driver Austin Dillon in 2014

WELCOME, NC – American Ethanol is enhancing its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and driver Austin Dillon for the 2014 NASCAR season. Beginning with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2, Dillon will race the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS in select races during the 2014 season.

“American Ethanol is extremely pleased to once again partner with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress and the entire RCR team to help promote a sustainable homegrown American fuel that is better for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and creates jobs right here in the U.S., while revitalizing rural economies across America and saving consumers at the pump,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

American Ethanol, launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association along with the support of other partners, is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15. Since the program launch for the 2011 season, NASCAR drivers have run more than 5 million miles on renewable Sunoco Green E15.

“We want to show the people coast-to-coast there is a great alternative to imported oil and our association with NASCAR and RCR is doing that extremely well,” said Jon Holzfaster, a Paxton, NE farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s NASCAR Advisory Committee. “Ethanol is also responsible for bringing a rural renaissance from Main Street to the family farm.”

American Ethanol will also serve as a major associate sponsor for Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet for the full 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season joining Dow, Cheerios, Realtree Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops and the University of Northwestern Ohio.

“Homegrown biofuels like American Ethanol have stepped up to help our nation’s economy,” said Dillon. “NASCAR drivers have run more than 5 million competitive miles on Sunoco Green E15 and I know we will reach even more milestones together. I am proud to wear the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR and I hope I can bring them to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014.”

Dillon is an official spokesperson for American Ethanol, the most commercially-viable alternative that America currently has to offset the economic impact of foreign petroleum. Corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent. And by strengthening America’s energy independence, ethanol helps create American jobs – studies have shown that for every $1 sent overseas for oil, $1.55 leaves the U.S. economy.

Source | Images: American Ethanol.