DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France boldly proclaimed America's No. 1 motorsport would be a true environmental leader, there was some initial skepticism.

Yet in the past few years, the sport under France has taken significant steps in conservation through programs described with big, impressive qualifiers: the world's largest recycling program, the world's largest solar-powered sports facility at Pocono Raceway, and the largest tree-planting program in sports, neutralizing all the carbon produced by Sprint Cup Series race cars.

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The engine builders have been testing the Sunoco Green E15 for several months, and reports have been very positive. In fact, many have reported they're actually getting a little more horsepower with it. We're confident fans will continue to see the same thrilling close, competitive racing.

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-- MIKE LYNCH

And now NASCAR has turned its attention to its racing fuel. For the 2011 season, the sport's major three national touring series will run on Sunoco GreenE15 -- a 15-percent ethanol blend made with American-grown corn.

Mike Lynch, managing director of the NASCAR Green innovation, discussed NASCAR's new fuel and how the sport continues to "go green."

Q. Why is NASCAR switching to a new fuel?

Lynch: NASCAR has made a commitment to being an environmental leader. Over the past several years, we've rolled out very impactful green programs in recycling, alternative energy and carbon reduction. Now we are announcing Sunoco Green E15 fuel -- a 15-percent ethanol blend using American-made ethanol from corn grown by American farmers. The transition to Sunoco Green E15 takes NASCAR's environmental commitment to the next level. American ethanol creates jobs here in the U.S., helps foster energy independence, and continues the greening of our sport.

Q. How will this fuel perform differently than the sport's current racing gasoline?

Lynch: The engine builders have been testing the Sunoco Green E15 for several months, and reports have been very positive. In fact, many have reported they're actually getting a little more horsepower with it. We're confident fans will continue to see the same thrilling close, competitive racing. A benefit not visible to the human eye is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, based on the EPA's classification of corn ethanol as a renewable fuel in the Renewable Fuel Standard-2 released earlier in 2010.

Q. How much will this cost teams?

Lynch: The transition to Sunoco Green E15 will require nominal costs associated with minor configurations to ensure materials compatibility.

Q. Isn't it true that ethanol decreases MPG? Will that mean more pit stops during races?

Lynch: E15 generally results in no measurable MPG differences with high-performance engines that take advantage of ethanol's high-octane fuel properties. Whether we see changes in MPG on the track is something we're asking teams about in testing. We don't think it will be a major change.

Q. Is NASCAR still behind Indy Car and other series running full ethanol?

Lynch: We're racing with Sunoco Green E15 because that's what works best with our engines and is the next step in NASCAR's green initiative. Using American-grown corn helps create jobs and foster energy independence. (Continued)