IRL Driver Paul Dana has Died After Crash
At approximately 10:03 a.m. Sunday morning during the morning practice session for the Toyota Indy 300, Paul Dana and Ed Carpenter were involved in an accident. Carpenter had spun and struck the wall, coming to a stop on the track. Three other cars on the track avoid Carpenter but Dana struck him at high speed launching his car over Carpenter and into the wall.
Both drivers were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital were shortly before noon Paul Dana passed away. Carpenters injuries are being reported as being minor. Dana was part of Rahal Letterman Racing and this was his first race since recovering from a broken back suffered last during a crash.
"On behalf of our entire team, our sympathies go out to Tonya (Dana) and their entire family," Rahal said. "It is a very black day for us. As a result, we have withdrawn our #15 (Buddy Rice) and our #16 (Danica Patrick) cars from today's race. These cars are expected to race at St. Petersburg (FL) next weekend." Rahal indicated no decision had been made whether Dana's car will be entered in the next race.
