Tony Renna

Tony Renna
Renna at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 2003.
Nationality	American
Born	November 23, 1976 Victorvile, California
Died	October 22, 2003(2003-10-22) (aged 26) Speedway, Indiana
Debut season	2002
Former teams	Target Chip Ganassi Racing Kelley Racing
Starts	7
Wins	0
Poles	0
Best finish	24th in 2002

Tony Renna (November 23, 1976 – October 22, 2003) was an American race car driver raised in DeLand, Florida who raced in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He made seven starts for Kelley Racing in 2002 and 2003 including the 2003 Indianapolis 500. His best finish was fourth place at Michigan International Speedway in 2002. Renna signed to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2004 IndyCar Series season alongside Scott Dixon, but during an offseason tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 22, 2003, his car spun and became airborne, smashed into the catch fence and shredded apart. Renna died instantly.

Indy Racing League beginnings

Tony Renna was employed by Kelley Racing for two years from 2002–2003 in the Indy Racing League (IRL). His first race start came on July 20, 2002 when he was driving for Al Unser Jr., while Unser was in alcohol rehabilitation after his arrest on July 9, 2002. Renna filled in for Unser Jr. twice that season, and was then sponsored in his own car by Dean Kruse in the #78 Kruse Special car for Kelley Racing.

Motorsports career results

Career summary

Season	Series	Team	Car No.	Races	Wins	Poles	F/Laps	Points	Position
1998	CART Indy Lights	Mattco Raceworks	77	12	1	2	0	68	8th
1999	CART Indy Lights	PacWest Lights	17	5	0	0	1	22	16th
2000	CART Indy Lights	PacWest Lights	18	12	0	0	0	105	5th
2002	Indy Racing League	Kelley Racing	7 & 78	6	0	0	0	121	24th
2003	IRL IndyCar Series	Kelley Racing	32	1	0	0	0	26	30th

American open–wheel racing results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Indy Lights

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Rank	Points
1998	Mattco Raceworks	MIA DNS	LBH 12	NAZ 10	STL 22	MIL 5	DET 15	POR 12	CLE 5	TOR 21	MIS 1	TRO 20	VAN	LS 8	FON 3	8th	68
1999	PacWest Lights	MIA	LBH	NAZ	MIL 3	POR 14	CLE 19	TOR 14	MIS WD	DET	CHI	LS	FON 6			16th	22
2000	PacWest Lights	LBH 9	MIL 17	DET 17	POR 4	MIS 3	CHI 3	MDO 4	VAN 6	LS 4	STL 4	HOU 10	FON 3			5th	105

IndyCar

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Rank	Points
2002	Kelley Racing	HMS	PHX	FON	NZR	INDY	TXS	PPIR	RIR	KAN	NSH 10	MIS 4	KTY 7	STL 24	CHI 15	TX2 9		24th	121
2003	Kelley Racing	HMS	PHX	MOT	INDY 7	TXS	PPIR	RIR	KAN	NSH	MIS	STL	KTY	NZR	CHI	FON	TX2	30th	26

Years	Teams	Races	Poles	Wins	Podiums (Non-win)	Top 10s (Non-podium)	Indianapolis 500 Wins	Championships
2	1	7	0	0	0	5	0	0

Indy 500 results

Year	Chassis	Engine	Start	Finish	Team
2003	Dallara	Honda	8	7	Kelley Racing

Death

On the night of October 21, 2003, Team Ganassi's crew was up late during the night getting Tony fitted for his new car that was driven earlier that day by his teammate Scott Dixon. The next morning, Renna was assigned to complete a tire test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On that morning, it was about 50 degrees outside and the track was cool. On Tony's 4th lap he was driving approximately 218 mph (351 km/h) and spun out in turn three. While spinning, his car caught some air underneath the chassis, which lifted the car in the air, and into the catch fence, which was over the four-foot concrete wall. Renna died instantly of massive internal trauma, and was pronounced DOA at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Responses to Renna's death

Following the announcement of his death, many people in the IRL responded to the news:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRL President Tony George

"Tony Renna was a rising star in IndyCar racing. All of us involved in racing feel a great loss. On behalf of my family and the staff at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League, our prayers and best wishes go out to his family, friends, team, and fans."

Owner of Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi

"We're mourning the loss of our driver, friend and colleague. On behalf of our whole team, we send our sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Tony Renna."

Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Ron Green

"Tony was a great young guy. I don't think anyone in the paddock ever had a bad thing to say about Tony."

Former Kelley Racing Owner Tom Kelley

"Today is a very sad day for everyone in the Kelley Racing family. Tony was more than a driver for our team; he was a personal friend to everyone involved with Kelley Racing. Our thoughts and prayers right now are with his fiancée, family and friends. Tony will be greatly missed."

Penske Racing Team Owner Roger Penske

"On behalf of everyone at Penske Racing, our deepest sympathies go out to Tony's family and friends. Tony left us while pursuing his dream to be successful at the highest level - a dream most of us share. In the racing community, our competitors and teammates become extensions of our families, and Tony will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Former IRL IndyCar Series driver and 1999 Indianapolis 500 Winner Kenny Bräck

"I would like to send my deepest sympathies to his fiancée, Deb, Tony's family, friends and to the Target Chip Ganassi Racing team. Tony was an up-and-coming star in the IndyCar Series, and it is a shame to lose such a talent. He will be greatly missed."

Cheever Racing Owner and 1998 Indianapolis 500 Winner Eddie Cheever, Jr.

"All of us at Cheever Racing are deeply saddened with the passing of Tony Renna. He always had a smile on his face and a deep passion for his racing. He was one of the future stars of our sport. His energy and fighting spirit on track will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Rahal-Letterman Racing Co-Owner and 1986 Indianapolis 500 Winner Bobby Rahal

"Team Rahal is saddened by the loss of Tony Renna, and we send our prayers and support to his family, friends, fans and racing team. Tony was bright, young racer with a tremendous future in motor racing. We will miss him."

See also

• List of Indianapolis 500 fatal accidents

External links

• Tony Renna driver statistics at Racing Reference
• Renna's Career Stats on the IRL IndyCar Series' Website
• TonyRenna.net
• Tony Renna at Find a Grave