Gonzalo Rodríguez (born January 22, 1972 in Montevideo, Uruguay; died September 11, 1999) was a racing driver. He showed promise in Formula 3000 for three seasons, taking his first win in 1998 at Spa-Francorchamps and winning the following season at the Monaco Grand Prix. Following a rotation of drivers as team mates to Al Unser Jr. in CART Roger Penske's second car, he was given his opportunity at the Detroit street circuit in 1999 and scored a point his first race. January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Department Montevideo Department Altitude 43 m Coordinates 34º 53S 56º 10W Founded 1726 Founder Bruno Mauricio de Zabala Population 1,325,968 (2004) (1st) Demonym Montevideano Phone Code +02 Postal Code 10000 Montevideo (IPA: ) is the capital, largest city, and chief port of Uruguay. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Auto racing (also known as automobile racing or autosport) is a sport involving racing automobiles. ... Formula 3000 is a type of formula racing. ... The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the famous venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. ... The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. ... Al Unser, Jr. ... A cart is a vehicle or device, using two wheels and normally one horse, designed for transport. ... Penske PC23 car Roger Penske (born February 20, 1937 in Shaker Heights, Ohio) is the owner of a very successful automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. ... The streets of Detroit, Michigan hosted Formula One racing, and later CART racing, between the 1982 and 1991 seasons. ...

At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca raceway during the practice session for his CART race, he was fatally injured after crashing. His car went off the track at more than 140 mph and slammed into a concrete barrier at the notorious Corkscrew corner. The impact caused his car to flip over the barrier and land upside down on the other side of the wall. Gonzalo was killed instantly by a basilar skull fracture caused by the impact with the wall (which was lined by only a small layer of tires). How the crash happened remains unknown, whether it was a mechanical failure or due to driver error. This articles section called Formula One does not cite its references or sources. ... A basilar skull fracture (or Basal skull fracture) is a linear fracture involving the base of the skull. ...

Rodríguez was only 27 years old at the time of the accident.

External links

• Fundación Gonzalo Rodríguez - a foundation which promotes physical education