I know this is non F1 related news but Paul belongs to the
motorsport community, just as the rest of us fans and drivers alike
do. I would wish to extend condolences towards his family, and
express sadness that tragedy has once again struck one of the top
ranks of American motorsport.
RIP Paul
IRL Release Addressing Paul Dana's Fatal Crash
Sunday, 26 March 2006
HOMESTEAD, Fla., Sunday, March 26, 2006 IRL IndyCar® Series
driver Paul
Dana suffered fatal injuries in a practice crash March 26 before
the Toyota Indy
300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He was 30.
Dana, a native of St. Louis who lived in Indianapolis, was
pronounced dead
shortly before noon (EST) at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, a
Level 1
trauma center.
Driver Ed Carpenter, who also was involved in the two-car crash,
was listed
in stable condition at the hospital, said Dr. Henry Bock, Indy
Racing League
director of medical services. Both drivers were airlifted to the
trauma center.
At 10:03 a.m., about two minutes into the session in preparation
for the
season-opening race, Carpenters car spun high in Turn 2 and slid
down the
banking. It almost came to a stop when it was struck in the
left-rear by Danas
car traveling at full speed.
Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with the Dana family and
everyone
associated with the Rahal Letterman race team, Indy Racing League
President and
Chief Operating Officer Brian Barnhart said in making the
announcement at the
track.
Rahal Letterman Racing withdrew the cars of Danas teammates,
2004
Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice and 2005 IndyCar Series
Bombardier Rookie of
the Year Danica Patrick, from the race.
It is a very black day for us, and on behalf of our entire team
our prayers
and sympathy go out to the entire Dana family, said team co-owner
Bobby Rahal,
the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Dana finished second in the 2004 Indy Pro Series standings, with a
victory
at Milwaukee. He debuted in the series in 2003, finishing ninth in
points. Dana
moved up to the IndyCar Series with Hemelgarn Racing in 2005 but
competed in
only three races due to a season-ending back injury suffered in May
during
practice for the Indianapolis 500.
Dana is survived by his wife, Tonya.