Wanna park at the Vikings game for free? The Minnesota Vikings have started a new promotion with the American Lung Association in Minnesota to raise awareness of E85, a cleaner burning alternative to gasoline that can be used in more than 200,000 Minnesota cars, trucks and SUVs. At every Vikings home game, the Gold Lot at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome becomes the “E85 Lot,” where the first 25 flex fuel vehicles (which can use E85 or gasoline) can park for free, rather than the usual $40 charge for a prime parking spot.

The lucky 25 also receive packets of information and discount coupons for the nearest E85 outlet, Bobby & Steve’s on Washington Avenue near the I-35W bridge.

The promotion is part of “Vikings Purple Planet - Helping Sustain Vikings Country,” the team’s new initiative to work with environmental groups, energy companies and nonprofits like the American Lung Association in Minnesota. Earlier in the year, the Vikings announced that they would offset the electricity used to power the Metrodome for all home games, as well as any home playoff games during the 2009 season, with wind energy credits.

“It is wonderful to see a greater interest in promoting cleaner choices in transportation at these games,” said Kelly Marczak, director of the American Lung Association in Minnesota’s Clean Air Choice program. “Our new E85 lot, along with the many fans who share a ride to the Dome or use mass transit, like the Hiawatha Line that stops right outside, show that there are a lot of Minnesotans helping to reduce air pollution and related respiratory problems.”

Along with the free parking, the promotion includes a contest to win a trip for two to Soldier Field in Chicago to watch the Vikings play the Bears on Monday night, December 28^th. A special website will offer details soon. Listen to the radio ads during all Vikings regular season games for contest information and updates, as well as for the “E85 Clean Burn Play of the Game,” during the post-game show.

Robert Moffitt is the communications director for the American Lung Association in Minnesota.