NASCAR On A Green Roll With New ACORE Partnership

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When a petroleum-dependent mainstream sporting organization like NASCAR says it’s about time to cut through the politics and separate personal mobility from fossil fuels, then it really must be about time. Last week NASCAR announced that it had joined the Obama Administration’s EV Everywhere electric vehicle initiative, and on Monday NASCAR (the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) doubled down with yet another big sustainability promotion deal consisting of a multi-year partnership with the American Council On Renewable Energy, sponsored by Lockheed Martin.

NASCAR and its affiliated tracks already have an impressive record of sustainable action in tow, including the world’s largest solar power installation at a sporting venue (that would be the “Tricky Triangle,” Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania) and more than five dozen green partnerships that encompass the NASCAR supply chain, advertisers and other stakeholders. NASCAR has also not been shy about promoting green advocacy to racing fans.

So, let’s see what the new partnership means for NASCAR, ACORE, and Lockheed Martin.

NASCAR Green partners with ACORE and Lockheed Martin
NASCAR Green infographic (cropped) courtesy of NASCAR Green.

NASCAR, ACORE, And Lockheed Martin

As we just hinted, NASCAR has been impressively proactive about bringing the resource conservation and alternative fuel message into America’s living rooms, as confirmed by surveys showing that 72 percent of NASCAR fans are aware of the organization’s green initiatives.

For NASCAR, the new partnership cements its green cred and enhances its effectiveness as a standard bearer, as the organization’s VP of green innovation Mike Lynch states:

This collaboration will allow us to implement forward-thinking initiatives that are designed to educate our industry and fans about the benefits of putting environmentally responsible practices in place.


ACORE is coming at this from a slightly different angle, the main hook being the ability of NASCAR to serve as a high tech platform for engaging and training young people in the skilled work demanded by emerging alternative energy fields. Here’s what ACORE CEO and President Michael Brower has to say:

Through the educational outreach of this partnership, we want to ensure the next generation of skilled workers in renewable energy is well equipped to create a more prosperous American future built on clean, renewable energy.

As part of the partnership, ACORE will be involved in NASCAR’s planned Race To Green Campaign this spring, which is designed to boost awareness of NASCAR’s sustainability initiatives while providing its supply chain partners with a promotional platform.

ACORE will also be represented on site with educational activities at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway in July, Chicagoland Speedway in September, and Kansas Speedway in October.

The future worker engagement aspect dovetails with Lockheed Martin’s interest in growing its US workforce. As a partner in the new endeavor, Lockheed will be the sponsor for ACORE’s racing-related activities.

NASCAR Goes Green, Conservative Punditry Yawns

Not for nothing, but when NASCAR announced its hookup with EV Everywhere last week, we were waiting for a blast of anti-EV outrage to issue forth from the usual suspects out in punditry land, especially that notorious EV basher, radio personality Rush Limbaugh. Maybe he’s losing his touch, but so far all we got is cricket chirps.

If you’ve heard anything different, feel free to let us know in the comment thread.

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Tina Casey

Tina specializes in advanced energy technology, military sustainability, emerging materials, biofuels, ESG and related policy and political matters. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on LinkedIn, Threads, or Bluesky.

Tina Casey has 3276 posts and counting. See all posts by Tina Casey