In recent years, the popularity of racing has risen dramatically. Many men, and even some women, are quick to tell you about the popular pastime - a favorite Nascar driver or the outcome of the latest race. But, for the Smith Family of Puxico, racing is more than just a hobby, it’s a mission - mission to promote the benefits of alternative fuels that are not only be better for the environment, but also for area farmers. The Smith family, which includes Mark, Shelia and sons, Jared and Canon, own Air Force One, the jet-powered dragster that utilizes 100 percent biodiesel made from soybean oil. The National Biodiesel Board defines biodiesel as an American fuel made from renewable fats or oils, such as soybean oil. The fuel works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but can be blended with diesel at any level or used in its pure form. The car is the only one in existence that uses the this type of fuel for drag racing.

“I use biodiesel in my jet car because I have a personal interest in doing the right thing for our state and for our country in promoting farm grown fuels,” Mark explained. “I have worked in the petroleum industry for many years and I realize more and more what a bind we are in with foreign oil dependency. There is no waste whatsoever in the soy product. It is a renewable fuel.” If biodiesel were to become widely used, it could mean big things for farmers, too, Mark commented. “I see this as a big answer. This could be big for farming,” he said. “This just seems like it could keep the farmers going.” As if the ethical and economic advantages weren’t already enough, there is also another huge plus for using this renewable fuel - performance. The Air Force One team travels all over, to approximately 26 races every year and has set two world records using the soybean fuel.

In September of 2002, Air Force One, then called “Wild Thing,” reached a record breaking speed of 211 mph on the 660-foot racetrack in Rogersville. Only eight months later, Mark, who drives the dragster, broke 281 mph at the Kansas City International Raceway. “Biodiesel performs,” Mark explained. “If it can power a high performance jet car, it can power anything.” Biodiesel has similar horsepower, torque and BTU content compared to petroleum diesel. It offers excellent lubricity and higher cetane than diesel, he says. The Smiths hope the use of biodiesel will greatly increase in the near future making their time well spent. “There is a real big push right now,” Mark said. “The traditional diesel fuels have carcinogens and this soy fuel burns so clean. There are so many reasons that we should be doing this.”