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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:61,280 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 12:08:31 PM 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:3,478 Points:731,375 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:25:39 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Seem to work okay last night.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:607,950 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 12:59:57 AM 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:2,328 Points:568,120 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 12:08:25 AM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Social conservative extremists, aka Rednecks, are not liking this.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:268,265 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:02:04 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:4,939 Points:1,014,670 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:37:21 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse whoop de doo
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,371 Points:757,095 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:42:08 PM 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:3,337 Points:162,700 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:24:06 PM 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:3,605 Points:736,795 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:23:14 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:2,420 Points:515,150 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:07:50 AM Ignore YaBassa Report Abuse EV and NASCAR - what a mis-match.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,478 Points:731,375 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:03:28 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:6,589 Points:1,292,510 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:23:46 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 9:23:08 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:7,766 Points:1,553,185 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:30:14 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:8,251 Points:2,446,300 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:26:22 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:3,263 Points:473,085 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:06:07 AM Ignore pscamp Report Abuse Good step!
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,957 Points:679,115 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:02:54 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:5,175 Points:1,115,915 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 7:40:10 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Go for it!
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,987 Points:630,545 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 7:32:23 AM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Please dont
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,520 Points:532,485 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 6:59:14 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Since when did rednecks know about being green?
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,890 Points:3,101,725 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:40:05 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse wow, wouldn't that be exciting to watch an all electric car race.......NOT!
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,729 Points:2,026,530 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:16:42 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:1,038,140 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:12:19 AM Ignore LogansGasPrices Report Abuse Ridiculous
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,687 Points:537,070 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:08:13 AM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Sick of the green clowns being so persistant.
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,383 Points:1,267,210 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:07:17 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse As if the races aren't boring enough!
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,497 Points:601,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:37:06 AM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse One small step for ...
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,242 Points:474,725 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 2:35:16 AM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Fear not, just words.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,349 Points:648,640 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 1:43:05 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Just a PR move.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,106 Points:821,445 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 1:36:11 AM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse What a waste of electricity!
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,073 Points:795,300 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:58:19 AM 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:93,330 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:51:45 AM 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:2,020 Points:675,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:45:54 AM Ignore pbear316 Report Abuse Ridiculous
danny1460 Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:84 Points:302,680 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:44:32 AM 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:2,079 Points:674,170 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:42:55 AM Ignore badspots Report Abuse Sad.
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,555 Points:603,660 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:42:29 AM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse ok
julesTN Veteran Author Nashville Posts:383 Points:164,870 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:41:50 AM 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:1,988 Points:1,053,980 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:40:15 AM Ignore commins Report Abuse Too expensive for the average car owner.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,120 Points:1,353,810 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:39:50 AM 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:30,938 Points:2,605,540 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:38:57 AM 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 28, 2012 12:35:42 AM Ignore gavinON Report Abuse hmmm
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,247 Points:1,359,290 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:35:02 AM 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:8,954 Points:1,767,770 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:34:59 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Who cares what NASCAR thinks
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:7,790 Points:1,583,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:34:42 AM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse Too expensive for the average car owner.
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,397 Points:529,350 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:33:05 AM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Still not sold on EVs...
Colts13 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,566 Points:547,010 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:32:02 AM Ignore Colts13 Report Abuse ok
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,515 Points:1,668,610 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:30:41 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds like a good PR stunt for NASCAR & Ford.
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,745 Points:575,235 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:30:07 AM 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:11,649 Points:2,358,995 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:28:52 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I thought they also burned pure ethanol in there vehicles for the races?
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,349 Points:2,256,805 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:27:33 AM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Well if NASCAR uses them electric cars must have arrived ... NOT
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,222 Points:816,820 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 12:26:26 AM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse pace car ...sure. race car...let them make another green race