Here’s a post I wish I didn’t have to write.  Actually I was on my way home to link you to the posts we did yesterday about the big opening race of the Indy Racing League in Homestead, FL.  That’s because it’s the first race in which all the cars will be running on a blend of ethanol and one of our clients is the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC).  However, tragedy struck today prior to the race. 

I found out just before the race started that Paul Dana, driver of the #17 Ethanol car for Rahal-Letterman Racing has died from injuries he suffered in a pre-race warmup crash.  This is an absolute shock since I had just interviewed Paul yesterday afternoon.  You can read the story on the Indy Racing League website here.

I will be speaking with Tom Slunecka, Executive Director of EPIC shortly and will post his statement.  EPIC is a sponsor of the car that Paul Dana was driving.

Cindy and I offer our prayers for Paul, his family, the Rahal-Letterman team, EPIC and all the people affected by this tragedy.  I had the honor to meet Paul and interview him several times over the last year.  He is a hero in my eyes.  You won’t find a better role model for what you can achieve if you work hard and stay focused.  He was an untiring champion of ethanol and I can’t imagine at the moment what we’ll do without him.

I’ll have more information to post soon.