IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

[bjf1377]

I'm gonna wait til they update the link on ESPN, but he just passed away. He was only 30

Also, they are still racing, even after this

[BBoyd21]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

I'm gonna wait til they update the link on ESPN, but he just passed away. He was only 30

Also, they are still racing, even after this

Just got done watching espn when they had the press conference and one of the people there said that the driver Paul Dana had just passed away due to mulitple tramma. team owner bobby rahal said that his two other cars with drivers Danica Patrick and buddy rice will not race today.

Im just curious after today's events that they just dont call the race but thats just my opnion. Sad thing is that dana's wife had to be pulled from church services and told the tragic news. My thoughts and prayers are with the dana family.

[dust247]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Link to ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...d=1&id=2384873

I've actually never heard of this driver, but all my prayers go out to his family and friends

[Rodster]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Link to ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...d=1&id=2384873

I've actually never heard of this driver, but all my prayers go out to his family and friends

Amen to that! A sad day indeed

[agte]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

oh man....things can happen so fast and suddenly, i read about the accident earlier this morning and this is terrible news

[Vince]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

My lord. I saw the crash on the NBA halftime show. Absolutely horrific.

God, I pray for his family. What a tragedy.

[forensicd]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Terrible tragedy. Thats all i can say.

[Boltman]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

My lord. I saw the crash on the NBA halftime show. Absolutely horrific.

God, I pray for his family. What a tragedy.

Yea I saw it right before the start of the Indiana game. It was stunning to say the least. Where was his spotter? Why wasn't some (not too familiar with this type of racing, forgive me) type of flag or warning put up?


These questions will need some answering.

Prayers for his family.

[Beantown]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Just saw the news....RIP, my prayers go out to his family.

[mjb2124]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Yea I saw it right before the start of the Indiana game. It was stunning to say the least. Where was his spotter? Why wasn't some (not too familiar with this type of racing, forgive me) type of flag or warning put up?


These questions will need some answering.

Prayers for his family.

According to this article:

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...d=1&id=2384873

he was told by his spotter that there was a crash ahead and yellow lights were blinking around the track (to signal an accident). Other drivers also stated he didn't slowdown as they had.

Very sad though. Prayers for his family.

[bjf1377]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

According to this article:

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...d=1&id=2384873

he was told by his spotter that there was a crash ahead and yellow lights were blinking around the track (to signal an accident). Other drivers also stated he didn't slowdown as they had.

Very sad though. Prayers for his family.

Yeah, the spotter probably told him to go low because the crashed car was against the wall. When Paul Dana was coming around, the car slid down the track into his way, and when ur going 176 MPH, its not exactly easy to swerve out of the way

[umt_griz]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Terrible tragedy, but what a race that was!!!!!!!!!

[WilliamWilliamson]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

That's just terrible news, I'll definitely keep his family in my prayers.

That's David Letterman's racing team, I wonder if the show tommorow night will be cancelled. I hope he addresses it whenever his next show is.

[MizzouBravesFan]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

Terrible day and a horrible tragedy, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and anyone else associated with him.

I just don't get why they ran the race today, makes no sense...would it be THAT bad if they held it off until next weekend??? Just seemed like the right thing to do IMO.

[Rodster]

Re: IRL Driver Paul Dana dies during practice

There could be many reasons for this and I understand where you are coming from as it doesn't make sense to put on a show when:
a) drivers come to grips with their mortality
b) it's all about entertainment and everyone in the stands and the perfomers/drivers are in a somber mood.

Contractual obligations may not allow them to put off the race for the following week as people who paid to watch a race may not be able to schedule their affairs to come back the following week.

I always remember the saying if you fall off the horse jump on the saddle as fast as you can if not you could build up a fear that will affect you for the rest of your life.

These drivers/pilots/performers are daredevils and they are aware of the risk to their lives everytime they strap themselves in a race car. If you think about the risk it will affect you and it's time to look for another line of work. These cats have to block out what happened during practice and jump back on the saddle ASAP so they can get on with their job which is to entertain us.

It sounds cold and calious but it's a part of racing. It's no different when Earnhardt Sr. died the show went on. Mika Hakkinen knew when it was time to retire when he no longer wanted to risk injury or his life. He valued his life and his family and so he knew it was time to retire.

Darrel Waltrip admitted the same after his friend Earnhardt died and he decided it was time to go as well. Until a driver faces that moment they have to look death in the eye, shake it off and do what they're paid to do ... Race!