American Ethanol spokesman Austin Dillon made a diversion on his way to racing for a slot in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship this weekend, and the shortcut in Pocono landed him another trophy for his collection. Dillon, who finds himself in a real tussle for rookie of the year honors in NASCAR’s top division, did a little warm-up race in the Camping World Truck Series Saturday where he smoked his tires right into Victory Lane.
The feat accomplished three things: it reminded people how the rising race star got to be the truck champion in 2010; the win in a Chevy truck ended Toyota’s 12-race winning streak in the series; and it showcased American Ethanol, which was displayed on the side of his truck. Dillon scored his sixth career Truck Series win by surviving a green-white-checkered finish.
Ethanol supporters behind American Ethanol hitched a ride with Dillon three years ago as we he was just emerging as a household name in the sport. The move has proven to be a good one, with Dillon moving through the ranks of NASCAR’s finest, first winning the truck series in 2010, capturing the intermediate Nationwide title last year, and now vying for Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors.
The competition has been a good one – some say the best in a decade – as Dillon has duked it out with fellow rookie Kyle Larson. As they have competed hard against each other, they both are on the door-step of carving out one of the 16 spots in the race for the chase where the Sprint Cup Champion will be determined.
Dillon returned to the track Sunday where he sported a full American Ethanol paint out for the 6 million fans watching on television, and turned in a 13th place finish.
“2014 has certainly been an incredible year for NCGA in terms of membership thus far,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre. “It is energizing to see our rolls grow as farmers take an active role in shaping their future together. With major issues surrounding the RFS, farm bill implementation and pending regulations on the horizon, we will need the strength of all of our members, the true grassroots, to continue pushing us to greater heights year after year.”