Driver Tony Renna Killed in Crash at Indy

[TexasStooge]

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Tony Renna, who joined the elite Ganassi Racing team this month, died Wednesday after crashing during a test drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, team owner Chip Ganassi said.

Renna crashed into the outside wall on the exit of the track's third turn.

Ganassi said he was told Renna was on his fourth lap of the day and had reached speeds of 218 mph when the crash happened.

Renna, 26, of Deland, Fla., debuted in the IRL in 2002 with Kelley Racing as a substitute driver for Al Unser Jr. with Kelley Racing.

Renna was seventh in the Indianapolis 500 in May and joined Ganassi for next season in place of Tomas Scheckter, who switched to Panther Racing.

Renna is the 67th person killed or fatally injured at the track since it opened in 1909. The last driver killed was Scott Brayton, who died in a crash during practice in 1996.