Brownsburg's gasoline price wars are attracting attention -- and out-of-town motorists, too.

The top four least expensive filling stations in Central Indiana were found in the Hendricks County hamlet at this morning, including $1.80 for regular unleaded at Casey's General Store.

Ron Byrd, who lives on Indianapolis' Westside, stopped his sedan at a Kroger store on Ind. 267 in Brownsburg, after doing business in Carmel.

"My tank was bone dry, but I was determined to make it here," Byrd said. "For this price, I may bring my boat back for a fill-up."

Byrd spent $27 for 15 gallons -- thanks to the $1.83 price and a 10-cents-per-gallon customer coupon.

"Everybody's happy. Everybody said, 'It's Christmas,' " said Jim, a clerk at Casey's, who declined to give his full name.

John Elliott, a Kroger spokesman, said the grocery chain allows its stores to react when a local competitor changes gas prices.

Scot Imus, executive director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said it's unclear exactly why Brownsburg fuel was so much cheaper than neighboring Indianapolis, where motorists were paying from $2.20 to $2.30 per gallon.

Gas just seems to be cheaper west of Indianapolis International Airport.

"That's an extremely aggressive price," Imus said of Brownsburg. "And, certainly, (it's) a situation where when you look at average rates (in Central Indiana) it's a below-cost situation (for retailers). And what that does is, it gets the public to cynically view those that are considerably higher and they think there's gas gouging going on."

"Amazing," said Steve Bennett, a business and marketing teacher at Brownsburg High School, in reaction to the low fuel prices. He called it a classic example of how competition can directly affect pricing.

"Those of us who live out here think we pay more than other communities," he said. "The fact we are the lowest-priced community, that is the exception to the rule."

IndyStar.com's Pump Patrol will have the latest price changes as they occur today.