Austin Wayne Self enhances partnership with Sorghum Checkoff

Enhancing his relationship with Texas-based companies, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Austin Wayne Self (@AustinWSelf) will expand his relationship with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program for the upcoming Texas State Fair, as well as the JAG Metals 350 at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2, 2018.
 
Self, a native of Austin, Texas, began his relationship with the Sorghum Checkoff and Texas Grain Sorghum Board last fall. Since then, the partnership has pinnacled to new levels and will continue throughout the 2019 season, building on the successful partnership between Self’s managing partner AM Racing and GO TEXAN.
 
“As we strive harder to provide a healthier environment, I’m proud to have the support and represent the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, promoting the Sorghum: The Smart Choice
® brand at the Texas State Fair and Texas Motor Speedway in November,” said Self.

“I plan to educate the fans as much as possible about the benefits of sorghum and why it’s a smart choice for ethanol, a clean-burning, high octane fuel with a strong connection to NASCAR.

“I’ve learned a lot over the past year and continue to learn new things all the time. I never realized all of the uses for sorghum. It’s an extremely versatile crop, and I look forward to promoting its use.”

Tim Lust, United Sorghum Checkoff Program CEO, said the partnership provides a platform to tell an important story about the value ethanol provides to the American consumer and rural communities.

“Increased demand for E15 and higher blends of ethanol is key for continued sorghum farmer profitability in the U.S. Ethanol currently consumes 20-30 percent of domestically-produced sorghum, so driving increased market share for the fuel is paramount,” he said.

“Ethanol is a clean-burning, high octane fuel that lowers the price of gas for consumers while creating thousands of good-paying jobs in rural America, and we look forward to showcasing it through our partnership with AM Racing and Austin Wayne Self.”

The Sorghum Checkoff will serve as the primary partner for the penultimate intermediate track of the season at Self’s hometown track of Texas Motor Speedway with his No. 22 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado team. This partnership will also expand into the 2019 season.

Sorghum is the world’s fifth-most important grain crop and is grown on approximately 100 million acres worldwide, including approximately six million acres in the U.S. Currently, Texas and Kansas account for 80 percent of U.S. sorghum production.

In the ethanol industry, the Sorghum Checkoff focuses on developing direct awareness of the benefits of using sorghum as a fuel and feedstock. This serves as the foundation of demand for the sorghum industry, as ethanol producers typically use about one-third (approximately 120 million bushels) of the sorghum crop to produce clean-burning, high octane fuel.

Outside of the 20,000 family farmers who grow sorghum in the United States, their connection to NASCAR runs full-circle.
 

  •        The ethanol industry’s long-running partnership with NASCAR has been one of the most successful in the history of U.S. agriculture.
  • NASCAR drivers have traveled 15 million miles on E15 with no incident, showcasing the fuel’s ability to safely and successfully deliver horsepower week after week.

 

  •        Increased demand for E15 creates additional markets for sorghum, so driving increased market share for the fuel is paramount.

In 58 NCWTS races, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year has one top-five (second at Daytona 2017) and four top-10 finishes. The Texan maintains an average finish of 18.2 during his three years of competition.

For more on Austin Wayne Self, like his Facebook page (Austin Wayne Self) or follow him on Twitter @AustinWSelf.

To learn about the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and sorghum’s benefits, please visit sorghumcheckoff.com

For more on Niece Motorsports, please visit niecemotorsports.com.

Niece Motorsports PR