Nascar starts to 'go green'

For a sport centered around cars that get about 5 mpg, Nascar is an unlikely incubator for some eco-friendly practices. At races, all used tires are shredded. Each year, 180,000 gallons of oil and automotive fluids are recycled.

"[The recycled oil] can be used in fleets, in cars," said Mike Lynch, Nascar Green Initiative Coordinator.

Nascar races are like small cities. Thousands of fans and cars and tons of trash. Only about one-third of Nascar's racetracks recycle, though officials said all of them will within the next few years.

"The sport is hanging the success of its greening efforts on changing the everyday behavior of its fans," said . "And that's where the drivers come in. I love enjoying the outdoors, and I wanna make sure it's still there for my kids and grandkids.

Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 83 car, is one of the sport's young talents. His personal car is a hybrid. Since Nascar fans are infamous for their loyalty to the brands that sponsor their drivers, Vickers thinks he and others might be able to sell them on eco-consciousness as well.

"There is a connection in this sport to the fans, unlike any other," said Vickers. "I think that presents an opportunity for this industry to make a bigger impact.

The potential is there, but even Jeff Gordon, one of the biggest names in racing, will tell you the sport needs to do more to sell fans on a greener lifestyle.

I think there's a lot more we can be doing and I think the fans would appreciate that," said Jeff Gordon.