March 5, 2026

This piece is sponsored by POET.

POET is showcasing its new zero-carbon bioethanol on racing’s biggest stage.

The Sioux Falls-based global biofuels leader has become the Official Bioethanol Partner of NASCAR, making NASCAR the first major motorsports series to utilize zero-carbon bioethanol.

“NASCAR is definitely on the leading edge of technology, and they were very excited when we brought them a zero-carbon bioethanol to put to work on some of the most challenging conditions anywhere: the NASCAR track,” POET founder and CEO Jeff Broin said.

“This is a high-octane, clean-burning fuel that is lower in harmful emissions, creating better air quality for the drivers, the crews and the fans in the stands.”

While the fuel is the same 15 percent bioethanol blend that has powered NASCAR for 15 years, the entire life cycle of this bioethanol now has been refined to eliminate carbon emissions.

“From the time you put the seed in the ground to when it comes out of the tailpipe, it’s zero-carbon,” Broin explained.

POET’s path to zero-carbon bioethanol unfolds across three essential fronts: regenerative agricultural practices, advanced bioprocessing technology and the capture and utilization of bioCO2.

Together, these strategies drive down the carbon intensity, or CI, of POET’s bioethanol. Using Argonne National Laboratory’s 2025 GREET model, CI is calculated by examining the full life cycle of bioethanol — from how the crop is planted, grown and harvested, to how the bioethanol is processed and transported, to how the co-products are utilized — and assigning a score to the emissions at each step. The lower the total, the lower the carbon intensity of the finished product.

Here’s a look at POET’s bioethanol path to zero:

For NASCAR, “the partnership with POET reflects our commitment to leverage our platform as a real-world proving ground for innovation,” said Eric Nyquist, chief impact officer of NASCAR.

“As the world’s largest biofuel producer, POET’s industry-leading technology will bring zero-carbon bioethanol to our Sunoco race fuel blend, helping to drive performance on and off the track for NASCAR.”

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR, is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities.

The NASCAR partnership also makes POET the sponsor of the “POET Restart Zone” at all NASCAR-owned tracks, bringing the brand into one of the most intense and action-packed moments of each race and reinforcing the sport’s commitment to innovation, performance and healthy environments in accordance with its NASCAR IMPACT goals.

Additionally, POET Zero Carbon Bioethanol branding will appear on all NASCAR fuel cans, alongside longtime Official NASCAR Fuel Partner Sunoco, further embedding bioethanol into the sport’s competitive fabric.

“We’ve already seen our web traffic increase considerably,” Broin said. “We’ve caught the attention of auto and ag equipment manufacturers, marine companies and others in the energy sector across the globe.”

As the global leader in biofuels, POET produces 3.1 billion gallons of bioethanol annually, leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology and homegrown agricultural resources to create American-made fuel that strengthens domestic energy independence and supports rural communities nationwide.

Through NASCAR IMPACT, the sanctioning body continues to invest in solutions that reduce environmental impact while showcasing how sustainability and performance can coexist at the highest level of motorsports. The partnership with POET represents a significant step forward in that journey, the organization said.

The same zero-carbon fuel being used by NASCAR is available in commercial quantities, Broin said.

“There are markets that are very interested in low-carbon fuels – places like California, Europe, Canada, and there also are companies looking to lower their carbon footprint who would purchase this fuel for fleet usage,” he said.

POET had “a fantastic year in 2025,” he added. “We have a highly educated team of professionals throughout the country with plants now in nine states, and we have terminals in three additional states. POET has continued to grow into new and exciting markets, delivering our bioproducts to more than 30 countries.”

Recent developments include the acquisition of a 120-million-gallon-per-year bioethanol plant in Tennessee and a planned $200 million expansion of its bioethanol plant in Shelbyville, Indiana.

The 2,600-person company has 400 team members at its Sioux Falls headquarters, “and we continue to develop new products and processes,” Broin said. “Things are going very well, and we’re continually adding staff as we innovate new biotechnology, grow our footprint and expand into additional worldwide markets.”

Thanks to its new relationship with NASCAR, POET now gets to share that story with global audiences.

“We’re excited to bring this agricultural biofuel to the world stage,” Broin said. “Through our contract with NASCAR, we are proving the performance and environmental value of biofuels to the world. You can’t beat zero.”

To learn more about POET’s partnership with NASCAR, visit here.

To learn more about POET’s zero-carbon biofuel, visit here.