Hybrid pace car sends positive message to fans (cont'd)

By Portalatin's explanation, the Ford hybrid has all the same creature comforts of a typical car plus more. It reaches speeds up to 116 mph, but touts the best fuel efficiency in its class.

"Under the right conditions, you can drive in your neighborhood or mall parking lots without using a drop of gasoline," Portalatin added.

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For Ford to come out with a hybrid version of the Fusion ... I just hope that I can be on the pole, so I can be running up right behind it at the start of the race.

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CARL EDWARDS

Navigating through all the commercial car jargon and getting down to the cool points of the car, Portalatin pointed out that the Ford hybrid coaches you to drive more fuel efficient through what seems to be fantastic green foliage on the car's dashboard.

Better known as the SmartGauge with Eco Guide, it's a feature on a small LCD screen that provides real-time information guiding you to drive in a way that maximizes your fuel mileage.

The better you drive the more "efficiency leaves" bloom on your dashboard; drive aggressively and it's like fall foliage in Indiana -- you lose your "efficiency leaves."

Also, the seat fabric inside the car is made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastics, the tires are lower rolling resistance that improve fuel economy and even the wheels are more aerodynamic.

"I spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel," Portalatin said. "The wheels operate like a flat disc so air just rushes right by them instead of adding turbulence which slows the vehicle down."

Ford driver Carl Edwards is in favor of the car leading the drivers to the green flag Sunday.

"For Ford to come out with a hybrid version of the Fusion, that's best-in-class in terms of fuel economy, is really cool," Edwards said. "I just hope that I can be on the pole, so I can be running up right behind it at the start of the race."

That's a nice sound bite Carl, but what about putting your money where your mouth is.

Will the sport appoint a poster child for a greener NASCAR in the coming years? No one in the garage strikes me as the Birkenstock type who is keen on carrying a recyclable tote bag to the market for locally grown greens.

But there is Stanton Barrett, NASCAR's single-car team owner competing in the Nationwide Ford 300 this weekend.

Barrett says his family, hailing from California, is eco-friendly and conservation-minded. Stanton's uncle owns a company, Planet Green Unlimited, that produces energy-saving products in the home that ultimately saves money on power bills.

In an effort to promote a greener planet, Barrett will run his uncle's logos on the hood of his No. 30 Chevrolet during the race.

"I never thought we would see a day where NASCAR, who loves their V8 engines and super-charged power, [would] approve a hybrid car as its pace car. But, in today's economy, race fans are always looking for ways to save money," Barrett said. "And the whole world is becoming more knowledgeable on ways to make the planet greener."

Even NASCAR

Racetracks are planting more trees outside their facilities while inside crews are pushing fans to recycle their trash. NASCAR and the Environmental Protection Agency, once thought to be foes, are becoming the best of partners.

The sports newly constructed Hall of Fame is set to be a green building certified with energy management systems and low emitting building materials as is the International Speedway Corp.'s new office building in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Recycled Goodyear tires find a second life on new road and highways as well as ground coverage for playgrounds.

Examples in and around the sport abound, so it was only a matter of time before fans saw a plug-in car pace one of their favorite races. However, only time will tell if they chose to actually drive said plug-in cars themselves.

I vote Edwards trade in his motorcycle for a Fusion Hybrid and set the example!

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.