05/26/2010 06:04 PM

Company that cleans up oil after races also helping in the Gulf

By: Ken Ward

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CONCORD, N.C. -- Days after the NASCAR All Star race and days before the start of the Coca Cola 600, one company is already working on the cleanup.

"This weekend we will be collecting all used oil from the competitors," said Safety-Kleen spokesman Buddy Judy. "That used oil will go to our terminal down in south Charlotte, loaded onto a rail car headed for East Chicago, Indiana where it'll be refined." Once refined, the oil could end up in someone's car or in the asphalt used to make streets.

Each year, Safety Kleen recycles more than 200,000 gallons of oil from racing events. All of the oil used during Charlotte Motor Speedway's Coca Cola 600 will be brought to the Safety Kleen infield location. It will be stored there for recycling.

But the company is also involved in the Gulf cleanup. "We're based right now in Biloxi Mississippi awaiting anything that comes ashore," said Judy. "Our trucks will be there to clean it up."

Even if BP is able to stop the leak in the gulf, millions of gallons of oil still need to be cleaned up. Judy said the unrefined crude in the Gulf will be harder to clean because crude doesn't always float to the surface.

Safety Kleen has 50 trucks positioned near the spill site, with more on standby. Judy said much of the crude oil seeping into the Gulf will eventually be used. "There's plenty of people there already to get that water out of it," he said. "And make products we can all make use of."

BP began its top-kill procedure Wednesday afternoon. Officials said it will take one to two days before they know if the oil leak has been stopped.