MIS President Roger Curtis with the Communitas Award. (Photo courtesy/Michigan International Speedway)

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Carfax, along with partners Michigan International Speedway (MIS) and The Conservation Fund, have received a Communitas Award for their efforts to lessen the environmental impact of stock car racing.

The organizations teamed up to make the ‘Show Me the CARFAX’ Race Weekend at MIS the first carbon offset stock car race event in history.

“We’re extremely honored to be recognized for this effort to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Dick Raines, president of Carfax. “While protecting consumers is a hallmark of the Carfax philosophy, we’re equally committed to helping protect the environment as well. Having great partners like MIS and The Conservation Fund makes it possible to take these first successful steps in elevating environmental responsibility.”

MIS has embraced environmental efforts at its racetrack. Carfax and MIS initially partnered in 2006 to start neutralizing carbon emissions gencerated by Carfax-sponsored races. Now, the companies are involved in an extensive joint effort – including tree planting, energy use reduction and increased recycling – that helps neutralize more than 4,000 tons of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere during the ‘Show Me the CARFAX’ Race Weekend.

“Carfax and The Conservation Fund have our shared concern for environmental issues; that’s what makes ours a perfect partnership,” Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis said. “At MIS, our efforts will be a continued focus on reducing the immediate impacts from our operations and events through broad-based recycling efforts, partnerships with local governments and agencies to identify more efficient means of operation, pursuing renewable power sources and through conservation efforts. It’s our brand and our plan because our efforts make a meaningful connection to our fans who all love and appreciate the outdoors.”

The Conservation Fund is one of the top-rated environmental organizations in the nation. Their work estimating carbon emissions generated during the event and by fans helps ensure that Carfax and MIS create a positive impact for the environment. Together, Carfax, MIS and The Conservation Fund have planted more than 7,500 trees to neutralize carbon emissions.

“Habitat loss and climate change are two of the greatest environmental challenges of our time,” said The Conservation Fund’s president and CEO, Larry Selzer.  “Now more than ever, addressing these challenges will require a mix of public and private financing.  The Fund applauds Carfax and MIS for their industry-leading commitments to help decrease carbon dioxide emissions within the racing industry.  Their support has allowed the Fund to create new wildlife habitat, restore native forests that will clean our air, and enhance public recreation areas we can all enjoy.”

The Communitas Awards is an international effort to recognize exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are dedicated to corporate social responsibility and community service.

For more information, visit www.communitasawards.com.