Tony Renna (November 23, 1976-October 22, 2003) was an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. He made 7 starts for Kelley Racing in 2002 and 2003 including the 2003 Indianapolis 500. His best finish was a 4th at Michigan International Speedway in 2002. He was signed to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2003 alongside Scott Dixon, but during an off-season test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 22, 2003, his car spun and became airborne, hit a pole in the catch fence and shredded apart. Renna was killed instantly. November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Indy Racing League Logo The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is the promoter of a predominantly oval based open-wheel racing series in the United States and, more recently, Japan. ... Indianapolis 500, 1994 The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, frequently shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, is an American race for open-wheel automobiles held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. ... Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile (3. ... Chip Ganassi Racing is a racing orginization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessman Chip Ganassi and the Target Corporation. ... Scott Dixon, IRL photo Scott Ronald Dixon (born July 22, 1980) is a New Zealand racing car driver. ... Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wing and Wheel Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate city completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving automobile racing track in the world (after the Milwaukee Mile), having existed since 1909. ...
Renna was on his fourth lap of a test for his new team Target Chip Ganassi Racing when reports suggest that the car, which had been driven the previous day by the new IRL Champion Scott Dixon, went sideways going into Turn Three, took off and flew in to the debris fencing and disintegrated.
Renna was only signed by Ganassi three weeks ago and was looking forward to his first chance to race a top level IRL car on a regular basis.
Renna is the first IRL driver to die at Indianapolis since 1996 when Scott Brayton crashed during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 but the accident comes just a few days after Kenny Brack's car flew into the debris fencing at Texas Motor Speedway.
Tony and the Ganassi team were up late the night of October 21st getting him fitted for the car, which new teammate and 2003 IRL champion Scott Dixon had driven earlier that day to 228 mph.
Renna was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
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