Anthony James “Tony” Renna
November 23, 1976 – October 22, 2003

Tony Renna, 26, of Indianapolis and formerly of DeLand, Florida, died from injuries suffered in a testing accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Born in Apple Valley, California, he moved to Florida with his family at a young age and began racing quarter midgets on local tracks at six. He graduated from Father Lopez High School in Daytona Beach in 1995. While still a senior, he won the Skip Barber Formula Ford Florida Series title.

Renna competed in Europe and the United States before racing in Indy Lights. He finished fifth in that series in 2000. He later worked for Kelley Racing as a test driver and as driving coach for Jason Priestley, made his IndyCar debut in 2002, and drove the 2003 Indianapolis 500 for Kelley Racing. In October 2003, Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced that he would join the team for the 2004 season alongside champion Scott Dixon.

Career highlights

• 2003Qualified eighth and finished seventh as an Indianapolis 500 rookie. Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced his 2004 race seat on October 1.
• 2002Made six IndyCar starts with Kelley Racing, scoring four top-ten finishes and a best result of fourth at Michigan.
• 2001Competed in two Speedvision Challenge GT events for TC Kline Racing.
• 2000Finished fifth in Indy Lights points with PacWest Racing, taking three third-place finishes.
• 1999Joined PacWest for five Indy Lights races and finished third in his first start with the team at Milwaukee.
• 1998Won the Indy Lights race from pole at Michigan and finished eighth in points as a rookie.
• 1996–97Barber Dodge Pro Series Rookie of the Year, multiple podiums and poles; silver medal for Team USA at the Formula Opel Nations Cup; British Formula 3 Class B race winner.
• 1993–95Moved into racing cars, won the Formula Ford Florida title and earned the Skip Barber “Big Scholarship.”
• 1983Began racing at age six; his original biography records 252 wins and two national quarter-midget championships.

IndyCar summary

Beyond the cockpit

Tony enjoyed running, swimming, cycling, weight training, golf and karting. As a child, he served as a batboy for the New York Yankees. Family, teammates and competitors remembered him not only for his ability, but for his generosity, steady character and ever-present smile.