Renna killed in testing crash

Renna was testing for the first time with Target Chip Ganassi Racing when he crashed at Turn Three.

According to reports, Renna's car snapped out of control and became airborne, clearing the four-foot high concrete wall and striking the catch fencing. The IRL's medical team tried to revive Renna but their attempts were in vain. He was transported to the city's Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Tony George, president and CEO of IMS and the Indy Racing League, offered his condolences in a statement.

"All of us involved in racing feel a great loss," said George. "On behalf of my family and the staff at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League, our prayers and best wishes go out to his family, friends and fans."

Chip Ganassi, Renna's new team boss, said: "Obviously, we're mourning the loss of our driver, friend and colleague. On behalf of our whole team, we send our sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Tony Renna."

Sam Hornish Jr, who was at IMS for the test session but did not witness the crash, said news of Renna's death was difficult for the racing community to come to terms with.

"This is really hard," Hornish said. "We all feel bad, especially for his family. He was a great guy and a great racer. He was quiet, and I'm pretty quiet, too. When you get two quiet guys together, they don't say much. But the times I did race against him, I had fun. I was looking forward to racing with him next year."

Renna, 26, was hired earlier this month to replace Tomas Scheckter at Ganassi for next season, joining his close friend IRL IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon. Dixon had tested the team's car on Tuesday before flying to Florida to prepare for Saturday night's IRL awards banquet in Orlando.

Renna, a former Indy Lights driver, had been a test driver for Kelley Racing before signing with Ganassi. He made an impression by finishing seventh in the Indianapolis 500 in May. He also led the first two races he ran while substituting for Al Unser Jr when Unser was undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse last year. In one of those races, at Michigan International Speedway, Renna finished fourth.