Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Announces Sustainability Initiatives to Improve Environmental Impact
July 21, 2023 | By INDYCAR
Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Announces Sustainability Initiatives to Improve Environmental Impact
Economic, Social and Environmental Efforts Drive Event’s Commitment to Central Iowa
NEWTON, Iowa (July 21, 2023) — Promoting environmental, social and economic sustainability, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend today announced several key initiatives that will be featured during this weekend’s event at Iowa Speedway.
With a commitment to making a positive impact on the local community and the environment, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will launch robust waste diversion efforts, pledge support for veterans and active military members, offer Free Family Friday access that will make the event more inclusive and work with Iowa-based enterprises to incorporate locally sourced food for spectators and athletes this weekend.
Building on the momentum of the industry-leading initiatives implemented this year by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, designed to dramatically reduce the overall carbon footprint across the sport, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is Racing Toward Zero by identifying several key areas in 2023 that will enhance overall sustainability and drive the event toward a greener future. Bolstered by the commitment of its partners, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is devoted to making the 2023 event the most sustainable in the 15-year history of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES competing at Iowa Speedway.
The 2023 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature the following sustainability resources:
- Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is striving to become the only event in Iowa to become certified by the Council for Responsible Sport in 2023. The Council for Responsible Sport recognizes and certifies events that meet a set of criteria for social and environmental responsibility objectives that make a positive difference in their communities. Through increased sustainability efforts and community outreach programs, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is on course to achieve the enviable distinction, joining the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, this season
- Iowa Speedway will also implement an enhanced and more comprehensive recycling and waste diversion program during race weekend. Composting, food donations and zero-waste fan engagement initiatives are designed to divert waste from local landfills
- Most of the food offered to guests, teams and competitors during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will all be locally sourced. Local food, grown within 200 miles of Iowa Speedway, helps strengthen the local economy, supports Iowa farms and helps protect the environment. Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will also partner with local food banks to ensure that prepared, unserved food, packaged snacks and beverages are donated to help feed central Iowans in need
- In honor of its unwavering commitment to veterans and military members of the United States Armed Forces, Saturday, July 22 will be an all-day salute to military service men and women, culminating with the Hy-Vee Homefront 250 presented by Instacart NTT INDYCAR SERIES race. Hy-Vee has been a longtime supporter of veterans, active-duty military members and their families through its Hy-Vee Homefront program. Designated nonprofit organizations that benefit from Hy-Vee Homefront include Operation First Response, Puppy Jake Foundation, Hope for the Warriors and American Red Cross. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has also been a longtime supporter of our nation’s armed forces
- Making the event more inclusive to the community, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is once again featuring Free Family Friday as fans can enter Iowa Speedway free of charge today to watch the first on-track action of the weekend from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the rising stars of INDY NXT by Firestone. All grandstand seating will feature first-come, first-served general admission viewing when the ticket gates open at 2 pm CT
- For the first time in the history of American motorsports, this season every single car competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is driven by 100% renewable race fuel. Shell, the official fuel, motor oil, and lubricant sponsor of INDYCAR, has produced an innovative formula of second-generation ethanol that is derived from sugarcane waste combined with renewable components obtained from non-food waste to fuel each car that will compete at the “Fastest Short Track on the Planet”
- The high-tech trucks and trailers that transport the 25-plus NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars competing this season across the United States and Canada are all fueled by 100% renewable diesel, which significantly reduces travel-related emissions
With three days of turbocharged action, July 21-23, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature the only doubleheader race event on the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Saturday’s series race will feature the Hy-Vee Homefront 250 presented by Instacart, and Sunday’s action will be highlighted by the Hy-Vee One Step 250 presented by Gatorade. INDY NXT by Firestone will also compete on Saturday of race weekend. The three-day festival will include an incredible music lineup as well with both Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney in concert on Saturday and Zac Brown Band and Ed Sheeran performing live on Sunday.
To purchase 2023 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend tickets and to learn more about the event, visit https://www.hyveeindycarweekend.com/.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $13 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 5 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 3 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America's premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world's most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion and reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2023 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com