Ethanol Power on the Track
In this high-octane episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, the crew sits down with Kyle Kirkwood, one of the brightest young stars in the NTT INDYCAR Series, to explore how agriculture fuels racing’s future—literally.
Kyle, driver of the #27 car for Andretti Global, opens up about his journey from discovering jet cars at age five to standing on the 2025 podiums at Long Beach and Bommarito. The episode blends speed, science, and sustainability—showing how the roar of an IndyCar engine is more connected to rural America than you might think.
🏁 The Making of a Champion
From karting prodigy to rising IndyCar powerhouse, Kirkwood’s career has been marked by grit and consistency. His early dominance in the Road to Indy program taught him discipline, precision, and the importance of reading data—skills that align perfectly with how modern farmers approach production and technology.
“It’s all about details,” Kyle explains. “Every fraction of a second matters—just like every acre does in farming.”
⚙️ Inside Andretti Global
Kyle pulls back the curtain on Andretti Global, one of racing’s most storied teams. With a legacy of innovation, the team thrives on data, teamwork, and relentless improvement—principles shared by today’s progressive producers and agribusiness leaders.
From aerodynamics to analytics, Andretti’s approach mirrors how farmers use precision ag tools to fine-tune performance and push limits.
🌽 Ag Meets IndyCar: Sukup Manufacturing’s Bold Move
When Sukup Manufacturing joined forces with Kirkwood and Andretti Global, it wasn’t just a logo deal—it was a statement. Sukup’s Iowa roots and deep agricultural heritage make it the perfect partner to represent American innovation and renewable fuel leadership on one of the biggest stages in motorsports.
At the Iowa Speedway, where cornfields meet grandstands, this partnership embodies the bridge between two high-performance industries.
⛽ Ethanol Power: The Renewable Advantage
Kirkwood explains how E85 ethanol fuel, made largely from Midwestern corn, boosts performance while reducing carbon emissions.
Higher octane → more efficient combustion
Renewable origin → sustainable and farmer-supported
Proven results → speed without compromise
This is where agriculture literally powers innovation. Farmers growing corn for ethanol aren’t just feeding the world—they’re fueling it.
🚜 Shared Values: Farming and Racing
Precision. Data. Efficiency. Whether behind the wheel or behind a tractor, success depends on those same three words.
Both worlds thrive on technology, discipline, and teamwork—and both face constant pressure to adapt faster, smarter, and more sustainably.
🔮 The Future of Racing & Rural Collaboration
As sustainability becomes a central theme in motorsports, partnerships like Sukup + Andretti Global show what’s possible when industries collaborate toward a cleaner, faster future. Kirkwood envisions a sport where every lap helps drive innovation in renewable fuel and rural economies alike.
“It’s about proving performance and purpose can go hand in hand,” Kyle says.
🎧 Listen Now
Don’t miss this powerful conversation connecting the track and the tractor—stream it now on Apple Podcasts.
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