Tony Renna

The family moved to Apple Valley, California, from Tampa, Florida, in 1975 and Renna's parents subsequently divorced.

His family later moved to the Orlando neighborhood of College Park before residing in DeLand.

Anthony James Renna (November 23, 1976 – October 22, 2003) was an American racing driver who competed in Indy Lights and the Indy Racing League (IRL) from 1998 to 2003.

Renna began competitive racing at the age of six, winning 252 races and two national quarter-midget championships before the age of 15.

Tony Renna was born in Victorville, California, on November 23, 1976, to jockey and meat-company owner Joe Renna and his wife Mary.

He had two sisters; he was a cousin of George Steinbrenner IV, co-owner of Harding Steinbrenner Racing.

At age 16, Renna progressed to car racing, competing in the Skip Barber Formula Ford Racing Series in 1993, in a bid to become a road course ringer.

He took one win and seven top-three finishes for tenth in the final points standings.

His form improved the following year, when he won eight races and achieved three-second-place finishes to win the series championship.

Renna was educated at Bishop Moore High School and Father Lopez Catholic High School, graduating from the latter in 1995.

As a child, he was a batboy for the New York Yankees baseball team, and played American football, basketball and baseball.

In 1995 Jim O'Bryan, an employee of American driver development organization Racing for America, asked if Renna was interested in driving in Europe; Renna said he was but his father was unsure because the family budget was strained through entering selected rounds of the 1995 Barber Dodge Pro Series.

O'Bryan met the Renna family again in mid-1995 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and agreed to compete in Formula Three.

Renna tested a Mark Bailey Racing-owned Ralt Formula Three car.

Team owner Mark Bailey was complimentary towards Renna, whose father signed him to drive for Murray Taylor Racing until he pulled out due to budget concerns.

In the UK, Renna drove six races in a Dallara F394-Vauxhall car for West Surrey Racing in the 1995 British Formula Three Class B Championship.

He secured a category win at Pembrey Circuit that was later nullified because of an infraction, three pole positions, and three podiums.

Renna progressed to car racing at 16, competing for three years in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and partnering with stock car driver Jerry Nadeau to finish second for the United States team at the 1996 EFDA Nations Cup.

He was the first driver to be killed in an accident in the IRL since Scott Brayton died during practice for the 1996 Indianapolis 500.

As a consequence of Renna's death, car speeds and horsepower were reduced through a reduction in engine sizes and aerodynamics were altered in a bid to prevent cars becoming airborne.

A memorial fund and IRL award were named after him.

In 1996, Renna returned to the United States with a depleted budget.

He competed in a Dodge-powered Mondiale car in the 1996 Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing seventh in the Drivers' Championship with 105 points from three podium finishes and two pole positions.

He was named the 1996 Barber Dodge Pro Series Rookie of the Year, and won a Skip Barber Racing School Big Scholarship.

Renna won the Team USA Scholarship over six other candidates and participated at the 1996 EFDA Nations Cup at Donington Park.

He partnered with stock-car driver Jerry Nadeau in a Formula Opel Lotus car, finishing second to win the silver medal.

He progressed to Championship Auto Racing Teams' developmental series Indy Lights, winning one race during his three seasons in the championship from 1998 to 2000.

In 2002, Renna signed with Kelley Racing to be its test driver in the IRL, and was the driving coach and spotter to actor and Infiniti Pro Series participant Jason Priestley.

During an October 2003 tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Renna was killed instantly in a collision with a retaining fence.

He was engaged at the time of his death, and was due to marry in Hawaii on November 22, 2003.

Renna began go-kart racing in Orlando at age six.

He spent his Friday nights at Horsemen's Park in Ocoee, refined his driving ability at circuits in Barberville, Bithlo and New Smyrna Beach, and was taught by former driver Ralph Liguori.

Renna focused full-time on racing after deeming himself inadequate at Little League Baseball.

He told his father of his choice of career, and was asked, "Do you know what you're asking for? Do you know you are asking for the brass ring and the Olympic gold medal?".

Renna began focusing on an opportunity in open-wheel racing, idolizing drivers Rick Mears, and Al Unser Jr.., and wanted to drive for Team Penske.

Renna went on to drive a quarter-midget, a mini sprint, a motocross bike, and a micro-sprint.

He won 252 races, and two national quarter-midget championships before the age of 15.

His mechanically inclined father constructed and maintained the machinery that Renna drove, and acted as his crew chief.

Renna's mother was his timekeeper, and one of his sisters acted as a tire changer.

Renna competed in seven races for Kelley Racing before signing a contract to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2004 IndyCar Series.