Tony Renna
Encyclopedia
Tony Renna was an American race car driver from 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.
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.
. On that morning, it was about 50 degrees outside and the track was cool. On Tony's 4th lap he was driving approximately 218 mi/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.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRL President Tony George
Owner of Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi
Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Ron Green
Former Kelley Racing Owner Tom Kelley
Penske Racing Team Owner Roger Penske
Former IRL IndyCar Series driver and 1999 Indianapolis 500 Winner Kenny Bräck
Cheever Racing Owner and 1998 Indianapolis 500 Winner Eddie Cheever, Jr.
Rahal-Letterman Racing Co-Owner and 1986 Indianapolis 500 Winner Bobby Rahal
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
who raced in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
. He made seven starts for Kelley Racing
Kelley Racing
Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004...
in 2002 and 2003 including the 2003 Indianapolis 500
2003 Indianapolis 500
The 2003 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003.-Recap:The "curse of the Indy three-peat" prevailed again on lap 169, as pole-sitter and two-time defending champion Hélio Castroneves was held up behind lap car A.J. Foyt IV coming out of the second turn, allowing teammate...
. His best finish was fourth place at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
in 2002. Renna signed to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships...
for the 2004 IndyCar Series season alongside Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon
Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins...
, but during an offseason tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
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 RacingKelley Racing
Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004...
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
Dean Kruse
Dean V. Kruse is an auctioneer and owner and CEO of Kruse International. Kruse started working in the local auction business founded by his father, Russell W. Kruse, and soon became the company's president...
in the #78 Kruse Special car for Kelley Racing.
Motorsports career results
| Season | Series | Team | Car No. | Races | Wins | Poles | FLaps | Points | Position |
| 2002 | Indy Racing League | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
7 & 78 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 24th |
| 2003 | IRL IndyCar Series IndyCar Series The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and... |
Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 30th |
American open–wheel results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)IndyCar
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
 HMS |
PHX |
FON |
NZR |
INDY 2002 Indianapolis 500 The 86th Indianapolis race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 2002. It was the seventh Indianapolis 500 held as part of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series schedule, and was part of the 2002 Indy Racing League season.... |
TXS |
PPIR |
RIR |
KAN |
NSH 10 |
MIS 4 |
KTY 7 |
STL 24 |
CHI 15 |
TX2 9 |
24th | 121 | |
| 2003 | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
HMS |
PHX |
 MOT |
INDY 2003 Indianapolis 500 The 2003 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003.-Recap:The "curse of the Indy three-peat" prevailed again on lap 169, as pole-sitter and two-time defending champion Hélio Castroneves was held up behind lap car A.J. Foyt IV coming out of the second turn, allowing teammate... 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 2003 Indianapolis 500 The 2003 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003.-Recap:The "curse of the Indy three-peat" prevailed again on lap 169, as pole-sitter and two-time defending champion Hélio Castroneves was held up behind lap car A.J. Foyt IV coming out of the second turn, allowing teammate... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... |
Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
8 | 7 | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
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 SpeedwayIndianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
. On that morning, it was about 50 degrees outside and the track was cool. On Tony's 4th lap he was driving approximately 218 mi/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
Physical trauma
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
, and was pronounced DOA
Dead on arrival
Dead on arrival or D.O.A. is a term used to indicate that a patient was found to be already clinically dead upon the arrival of professional medical assistance, often in the form of first responders such as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or police...
at Methodist Hospital
Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis
Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis is a hospital part of Indiana University Health, located in Indianapolis, state of Indiana, United States. It is the largest hospital in the state of Indiana and one of only two regional Level I Trauma Centers in the state...
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 George
Anton Hulman "Tony" George was the former President and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hulman & Company, serving from 1989 to 2009. He was also formerly on the Board of Directors of both entities. He founded the Indy Racing League and co-owns Vision Racing...
- "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
Chip Ganassi
Floyd "Chip" Ganassi, Jr is a former American racecar driver and current racecar owner.He is currently the owner and president of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates which operates teams on the IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series circuit...
- "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
Roger Penske
Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated...
- "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
Kenny Bräck
Kenny Bräck is a race car driver from Sweden. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He is the winner of the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and the 1998 driving champion of the Indy Racing League. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
- "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
Bobby Rahal
Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...
- "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."