Gone are the days when NASCAR was about bootleggers tuning up their cars for a showdown in the dirt. As NASCAR heads deeper into the 2020s, the call for sustainability is higher than ever, and while some may call to ignore it, the folks at NASCAR are certainly paying attention. This time, it’s a fire that NASCAR has to put out.
While the long-standing partnership for sustainable fuel continues in 2025, NASCAR finds itself losing the American Ethanol branding around the fuel port. For over a decade, NASCAR’s green bio-ethanol rings around the gas port have been an iconic visual and a subtle nod to the sport’s embrace of renewable energy. But come 2025, they’re reportedly hitting the pit stop for good (at least for now)—and fans are having the time of their lives making fun of it.
Renowned motorsports journalist Joseph Srigley sparked the conversation when he tweeted: “The American Ethanol ‘Get Bioethanol’ branding (both around and inside the fuel port) will no longer be required starting in 2025. This change will apply to all three of NASCAR’s National Series.” Fans were quick to speculate about what this shift means for NASCAR’s environmental efforts—and, of course, to churn out their best corn jokes.
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Back in 2011, NASCAR shook things up by introducing Sunoco Green E15, a high-performance fuel blend made of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. The switch wasn’t just about fuel; it was a cultural shift, putting NASCAR on the map as a leader in motorsports sustainability. E15 promised reduced emissions (by about 20%) and even boosted horsepower, making it a win-win for both environmentalists and speed enthusiasts.
The signature green rings around the gas port served as a badge of honor for the sport’s commitment to going greener. By 2021, the “Get Bioethanol” branding rolled out in Nashville, further cementing NASCAR’s partnership with American Ethanol.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the move to bio-ethanol fuel carried significant economic impacts. It provided a boost to American agriculture, with NASCAR leveraging ethanol’s domestic production as a way to support U.S. farmers. This narrative became a key talking point for the sport, aligning its fuel choice with themes of patriotism and innovation, which resonated with its core fan base.
NASCAR fans react with banter and questions
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Fast forward to now, and things are looking a little less green. Srigley’s tweet hints that NASCAR might be quietly stepping away from the ethanol partnership, though it’s unclear if that means an end to E15 altogether or just the sponsorship deal. Fans haven’t missed a beat, with one cheekily asking, “Did ‘Big Corn’ decide not to cut more checks?” This fan hinted at the larger schemes at play in NASCAR. Several sponsors are slowly leaving the Cup Series arena. FedEx marked their exit from Denny Hamlin’s car and so did H—ers from Chase Elliott’s Hendrick Chevy. This change in branding requirements might just be the latest twist in the sponsorship battle.
Another fan jokingly predicted, “Plot twist: it’ll be 100% corn now. The entire car will be that shade of green.” The bid to turn NASCAR into a greener sport led to the adaptation of ethanol in the fuel for cars. In America, most ethanol comes from corn, since the crop is widely available all across the country. Some are taking the news in stride, serving up hilarious one-liners like “Colonel Kernel is no longer welcome at Daytona.” Regardless, it opens up a massive opportunity for NASCAR teams to get an additional sponsor on board since there is now an open slot on their cars where the sign for the fuel initially went.
One fan speculated, “Okay, since no one asked yet… why? My guess is it’s a sponsorship that costs money. Someone stopped paying.” Another raised a bigger question: “So is it still going to be a corn mix or back to 100% gas?” The major question on everybody’s minds was indeed the fuel choice for next year. However, the question of sponsorship doesn’t change NASCAR’s commitment to sustainability. It will continue its partnership with Sunoco and their Green E15, the 98-octane unleaded fuel.
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Regardless of the reason, the change highlights a possible shift in NASCAR’s sustainability journey. While the removal of the rings might seem like a small detail, it represents a potential pivot away from a fuel that’s been integral to NASCAR’s green narrative.