Ethanol Racing Promotion Effort Sees Tragedy with Driver's Death
Indy Racing League car driven by Paul Dana involved in accident Sunday that kills the driver.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 26, 2006
The Indy Racing League IndyCar series saw tragedy Sunday when driver Paul Dana suffered fatal injuries during a practice run at Homestead-Miami Speedway prior to a 300 mile race. Dana's car collided with another at more than 175 miles per hour, killing Dana and injuring the other driver - Ed Carpenter.
Dana's car is the Ethanol team car owned by Rahal Letterman Racing and promotes the use of ethanol - which the IRL is turning too as a fuel source.
The Renewable Fuels Association issued the following statement concerning Dana's death: "Paul Dana was a good and decent man. He was passionate about racing, and believed deeply that renewable fuels such as ethanol would be good for the sport and good for rural America. His vision and indefatigable spirit are singularly responsible for the Indy Racing League converting to ethanol fuels this year. His loss is a tragedy for his wife Tonya and his family, and the entire ethanol industry sends them our prayers. Paul will be missed. His enthusiasm, his dedication and his energy will never be replaced. But his life's work, ethanol and Indy racing, will provide a lasting and fitting legacy."
Dana, 30, was driver of the No. 17 Team Ethanol Honda Panoz Firestone car for Rahal Letterman Racing. Dana was preparing for his first race with the team after recording a career-high ninth place in Saturday's qualifying runs.
"It is a black day for us, and on behalf of Rahal Letterman Racing, our sponsors and associates, our prayers and sympathy go out to the entire Dana family," says team co-owner Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner. Team Rahal pulled it's other two cars - one driven by Buddy Rice and the other by Danica Patrick from the Sunday race at Miami-Homestead.
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