NASCAR fans have opportunity to learn about farming at race

Illinois farmers have an opportunity to join the Family Farmers High Performance Team, bringing the farm to more than 30,000 NASCAR fans this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Kenny Wallace, currently the seventh-ranking driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will pilot the ‘Family Farmers’ car in Saturday’s race, which will be aired live at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Partnered with the television exposure of the ‘Family Farmers’ car, the nearly 18,000-square-foot ‘Farm Experience’ will allow race fans to learn more about farming, and more importantly, meet family farmers themselves. As members of their respective commodity organizations, farmers can purchase tickets. Illinois Corn Growers Association members and Illinois Soybean Association members can get a discounted rate of $25, half the rate available to non-members. At the ‘Farm Experience’ display, the American Lung Association of Illinois will present information about the health benefits of ethanol and biodiesel. Additionally, two combines will be on display, one with a corn head and the other with a soybean platform. To see if tickets are still available, call the Illinois Corn Growers Association office at 1-309-827-0912. Information is also available on the organization’s website – www.ilcorn.org.