Motor Sports: IRL driver Dana dies

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — It was supposed to be a day to celebrate a recharged Indy Racing League.

But Sunday turned dark with the death of one of the IRL's newest drivers.

Paul Dana, 30, died after a two-car crash during the final morning practice for the Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The rookie driver had been traveling at close to 180 mph. He was pronounced dead in the trauma center of a Miami hospital.

"This is a very black day for us," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Dana's No. 17 car of Rahal Letterman Racing.

Ed Carpenter, 25 and stepson of IRL founder Tony George, was hit by Dana's car but had no major injuries. While his X-rays showed no problems, he was hospitalized overnight for observation.

After Dana's death, Rahal withdrew his two other cars, driven by Danica Patrick, the most recognizable face in the circuit, and Buddy Rice, a former Indianapolis 500 winner.

"It's very difficult to race under these circumstances," said defending IRL champion Dan Wheldon, who won Sunday's race but appeared shaken afterward. Several drivers dedicated their race to Dana.

Dana's death is the third at a Homestead auto-racing event and the first in the IRL since Tony Renna died in October 2003 from a crash during testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sunday's crash occurred two minutes after practice started.

Carpenter's car spun out and bounced off the Turn 2 wall, sliding toward the inside of the track. Five cars passed Carpenter and more than five seconds elapsed before Dana smashed into the rear of Carpenter's car.

Tapes of the accident show an unidentifiable car to Dana's right. Dana's car became airborne and its nose pointed skyward before skidding on the track, with parts flying. Dana's car was destroyed and Carpenter's car had considerable damage.

Using GPS tracking on all cars, ESPN reported Dana was going about 176 mph at the time of impact, but IRL officials said they didn't know his exact speed.

Immediately after Carpenter hit the wall, race officials waved a yellow flag to warn drivers.

Each team was supposed to radio its drivers to steer clear.

"There was no problem with the communication," Rahal said. "The spotter made clear the incident. From what I can see, there was a car on the outside that Paul was passing or had just passed.

"I think it would be conjecture and probably irresponsible for me to try to assess why what happened, happened."

In a statement, David Letterman, team co-owner and television personality, said: "I did not know Paul personally, but we were all proud to have him on our team and are deeply saddened by his tragic passing at such a young age."

Dana, a 1995 graduate of Northwestern University, used his journalism degree to pursue his dream of racing. He had auto-racing articles published in Sports Illustrated and other magazines before working as a mechanic, driving instructor and public-relations representative.

Dana competed in three IRL races last season before breaking his back during a practice before the Indianapolis 500, ending his season.

He is survived by his wife, Tonya, a doctor in Indianapolis. She reportedly was notified of her husband's death while attending a church service in Indianapolis.