Meet Marco: Andretti participates in pump promotion

IZOD IndyCar Series driver and defending Iowa Corn Indy 250 winner Marco Andretti will participate in a promotion that will bring him to Cedar Rapids as part of a four-city swing across the state Monday, June 4.

Andretti will appear at the Kum & Go at 30 SW Four Oaks Drive for an hour to pump gas for patrons and give away tickets to the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Andretti will also stop in Mason City, Sioux City and Council Bluffs on Monday.

Andretti is 18th in the overall points race, ranking 11th in he series with 25 points in oval track races.

Below is the press release from Iowa Speedway:

Pay It Forward Statewide Pump Promotion with Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver Marco Andretti

JOHNSTON, Iowa (May 21, 2012) – Fans have the opportunity to meet 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 winner, Marco Andretti, at pump promotions in Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs on June 4, 2012.

The pay it forward statewide pump promotions are a way to celebrate the IZOD IndyCar shift to E85 that Iowans can find at more than 170 flex fuel pumps across the state. Plus, Iowa Corn is partnering with Marco Andretti and Andretti Autosport™ in advance of the 2012 Iowa Corn Indy 250 race on Saturday, June 23, to promote the benefits of corn-based ethanol, specifically E-85 (85% ethanol). The partnership includes TV and radio advertising, and promotional materials as well as brand identification.

“It's an awesome track and an awesome event,” said Marco Andretti. “I started 17th and was able to work my way to the front, which was a lot of fun. This year, we have one goal at Iowa: win again. This time, we'll do it with the Iowa Corn logo on the No. 26 RC Cola car.”

In 2012, the Series will be showcasing E-85 at top-notch speeds at professional venues across the world. On June 23rd, fans can witness the power and performance first-hand at the Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn Indy 250, but leading up to the race, it only seems appropriate that the 2011 winner, Marco Andretti will be making appearances in Iowa prior to the race.

“On and off the track, Marco talks about choosing ethanol,” said Craig Floss, CEO for the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, collectively called, Iowa Corn. “Now Iowans can meet Marco and talk to him about how ethanol performs running over 200 miles an hour.”

Marco will be pumping fuel and signing autographs with fans at the locations listed below. E85 will also be sold for 85 cents per gallon during the promotional times. Limit 30 gallons per customer.

Cedar Rapids- Kum & Go, 30 SW Four Oaks Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Mason City -Kum & Go, 1920 Federal from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Sioux City- Kum & Go, 1925 South Lakeport from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Council Bluffs- Kum & Go, 4443 S. 84th St. from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.