NCGA Mourns Loss of Team Ethanol Driver Paul Dana (3-27-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) mourns the loss of Indy Racing League (IRL) driver Paul Dana, one of the biggest promoters of ethanol as a fuel source.

Dana was killed in an accident during the warm-up laps at Sunday’s Toyota 300 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Dana’s No. 17 Team Ethanol car slammed into Ed Carpenter’s car, which had just spun out. Dana was pronounced dead two hours after the crash.

Dana played an important role in getting the IRL to begin using E-10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent methanol, for the 2006 season. Next year, IRL will use 100 percent ethanol. IRL is the first racing series to use ethanol as a fuel source. The Team Ethanol car was sponsored by major ethanol design-build firms Fagen Inc., ICM Inc. and Broin Companies.

“NCGA is saddened by the loss of Paul Dana. He was a great promoter of ethanol as a clean and renewable fuel,” said Bruce Noel, chairman of NCGA’s Ethanol Committee. “Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

Dana graduated to the IndyCar Series in 2005 with Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing. He competed in three races before he had a season-ending back injury in a practice run for the Indianapolis 500. This year, he joined Rahal Letterman Racing, becoming teammates with 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice and Danica Patrick, 2005 IRL Rookie of the Year. He qualified for ninth place in Sunday’s race.

“Paul Dana was one of the biggest supporters of ethanol and what it could do for the American public. He was tireless in his efforts,” said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), which also sponsors Dana’s car. “Our hearts go out to family members of Paul Dana, his friends and loved ones. It was a tremendously tragic day.”