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With electric pace car, NASCAR puts pedal down on green efforts

The Washington Post -- At its essence, NASCAR is an ear-blasting, exhaust-spewing, gas-guzzling celebration of unbridled horsepower. Its racecars get five miles per gallon under optimum conditions. And over the course of a 36-race season, NASCAR’s elite Sprint Cup division burns through more than 135,000 gallons of fuel.

But in a world turned green, NASCAR is waking up to the reality that American attitudes about automobiles are shifting — from consumers’ demands for better gas mileage to heightened concern about global warming. Lest NASCAR be relegated to the scrap heap as a pointless spectacle that squanders precious fossil fuel, the sport in 2008 launched an initiative known as NASCAR Green and, ever since, has been advocating environmental stewardship — with a straight face, no less.

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Submitted Apr 28, 2012 By: ziyulu

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GreyWolf01 Veteran Author Ontario Posts:270 Points:61,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:08:31 AM Ignore GreyWolf01 Report Abuse Maybe they can put cards in the spokes of the wheels so it sounds like a car.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,499 Points:735,345 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 6:25:39 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Seem to work okay last night.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:612,200 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:59:57 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Richmond is the shortest (3/4 mile) track on the NASCAR circuit. I missed the start of the race today... did the EV make it all the way around the track?!?
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,355 Points:573,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:08:25 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Social conservative extremists, aka Rednecks, are not liking this.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:269,765 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 7:02:04 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse Ask nascar fans what's on their minds and one answer your not going to get is global warming.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,964 Points:1,019,545 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:37:21 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse whoop de doo
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,396 Points:761,970 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:42:08 AM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse It will be interesting to see if it lasts for the entire race if there are many yellow/caution laps.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,342 Points:163,050 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:24:06 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse The plan is to have it catch fire at the end of the race so they can have fireworks.
cmptrmush Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,630 Points:741,670 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:23:14 AM Ignore cmptrmush Report Abuse Maybe NASCAR can make it work, but it doesn't seem like a good fit to me.
YaBassa Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,445 Points:520,025 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:07:50 AM Ignore YaBassa Report Abuse EV and NASCAR - what a mis-match.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,499 Points:735,345 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:03:28 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Interesting article. Good to see a us make to be the pace car. A lot of other other information. some I knew, some I did not. Nothing like the soud of a V-8.
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,609 Points:1,296,410 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 7:23:46 AM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse I guess Bubba will be driving an EV for the 500? I can just hear it now......"And here comes Bubba....zzzzzzzzz....and there he goes"
fracknsave Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,666 Points:58,000 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 6:23:08 AM Ignore fracknsave Report Abuse Nascar should just concentrate on automobile racing, the politics makes them just a bit more irrelevant.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,791 Points:1,558,060 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:30:14 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse Conceding to the non-NASCAR-fan political green extremists. Those thousands of fans driving to the track have never considered a Volt or Leaf.
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,277 Points:2,451,175 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:26:22 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse How long would the pit stops be? would they change out the right side batteries or wait for the recharge. would the teams be penalized for a hidden solar panel?
pscamp Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,299 Points:477,910 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:06:07 AM Ignore pscamp Report Abuse Good step!
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,987 Points:684,765 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:02:54 AM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse This would make for short races and a lot of extra airtime for additional programming.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,195 Points:1,120,565 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 4:40:10 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Go for it!
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,015 Points:635,420 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 4:32:23 AM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Please dont
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,525 Points:536,460 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 3:59:14 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Since when did rednecks know about being green?
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,961 Points:3,107,675 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:40:05 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse wow, wouldn't that be exciting to watch an all electric car race.......NOT!
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,754 Points:2,031,405 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:16:42 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse Good for them to consider, but their fans really don't care.
LogansGasPrices Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,639 Points:1,041,890 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:12:19 AM Ignore LogansGasPrices Report Abuse Ridiculous
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,712 Points:542,045 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:08:13 AM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Sick of the green clowns being so persistant.
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,413 Points:1,272,410 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:07:17 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse As if the races aren't boring enough!
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,522 Points:606,375 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:37:06 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse One small step for ...
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,250 Points:476,610 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:35:16 PM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Fear not, just words.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,379 Points:654,490 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:43:05 PM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Just a PR move.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,131 Points:825,570 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:36:11 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse What a waste of electricity!
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,098 Points:800,175 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:58:19 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Interesting. NASCAR should wake up to reality that no one would want to watch a race with EV's making no noise, with a top speed of 45 to 55 MPH and racing so 50 miles. Boring....it's the end of NASCAR. :) What a bunch of crap....like global warming or climate change.
MusicalMan7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:597 Points:93,430 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:51:45 PM Ignore MusicalMan7 Report Abuse Not just ridiculous - beyond ridiculous. An electric pace car to pace cars that probably get a half mile to the gallon of fuel and are driven for hours for pure amusement and entertainment, a total waste. But, I suppose, "Every little bit helps."
pbear316 Champion Author Akron Posts:2,045 Points:680,065 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:45:54 PM Ignore pbear316 Report Abuse Ridiculous
danny1460 Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:84 Points:302,830 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:44:32 PM Ignore danny1460 Report Abuse Staples has a fleet of electric 1 ton trucks..They have Led Headlites and garage door opener for backdoor (don't know how that extends the charge. And yes their max speed is 55
badspots Champion Author Houston Posts:2,081 Points:677,185 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:42:55 PM Ignore badspots Report Abuse Sad.
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,580 Points:608,535 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:42:29 PM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse ok
julesTN Veteran Author Nashville Posts:383 Points:164,870 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:41:50 PM Ignore julesTN Report Abuse ROFL - the winning speed would be what? - 50mph at the MOST??? and, uh, would any of them be able to FINISH without having to be recharged???
commins Champion Author Riverside Posts:2,014 Points:1,058,855 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:40:15 PM Ignore commins Report Abuse Too expensive for the average car owner.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,141 Points:1,358,605 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:39:50 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse Right, Big deal. They have the pace car an ev, that saves the gas burned by one vehicle for a couple laps, woopee. It is merely a Advertising gimmick too me, at least for now.
SteelPenny Champion Author Dallas Posts:31,013 Points:2,610,740 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:38:57 PM Ignore SteelPenny Report Abuse I don't think Indy cars even use petroleum products (like gasoline).
gavinON All-Star Author Toronto Posts:562 Points:112,935 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:35:42 PM Ignore gavinON Report Abuse hmmm
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,277 Points:1,364,470 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:35:02 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse The fuel is E15. Given the amount of fuel burned weekly they are trying to be aware of other efforts to offset that.
bobdec Champion Author Miami Posts:8,984 Points:1,773,820 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:34:59 PM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Who cares what NASCAR thinks
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:7,815 Points:1,588,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:34:42 PM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse Too expensive for the average car owner.
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,427 Points:534,550 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:33:05 PM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Still not sold on EVs...
Colts13 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,596 Points:551,460 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:32:02 PM Ignore Colts13 Report Abuse ok
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,540 Points:1,673,585 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:30:41 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds like a good PR stunt for NASCAR & Ford.
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,775 Points:581,185 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:30:07 PM Ignore chuckwthompson Report Abuse It will be disasterous to see the pace car get rear ended when they drop the green flag!
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,674 Points:2,363,970 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:28:52 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I thought they also burned pure ethanol in there vehicles for the races?
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,374 Points:2,261,680 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:27:33 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Well if NASCAR uses them electric cars must have arrived ... NOT
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,242 Points:821,470 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:26:26 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse pace car ...sure. race car...let them make another green race