THIS JUST SUCKS

There are days when I can't wait to get a job in racing. I have those days quite often and I sometimes sit and think about how great it will be to finally live my dream.

Tony Renna was a lot like me in that way.

Then there are the days I don't want to have anything with the sport. The days I wish I could just stay in bed and forget about everything that makes me want to chase cars.

Wednesday was one of those days.

At age 26, Tony Renna had his entire future in front of him. He had waited his turn to get into big time auto racing and his time had finally come. After two years as Kelley Racing's test driver and spotter, he had his big break. The likeable young driver was hired by Chip Ganassi to drive full time in the IndyCar Series.

Wednesday was Tony's first day on the job with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. He was four laps into a Firestone tire test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when something went terribly wrong. His car spun out of control, got airborne and crashed. Tony was fatally injured.

Suddenly a well-spoken 26 years old -- a few weeks away from his wedding day and his 27th birthday -- was gone. The promise of the IRL's next star was suddenly broken. The patience of young man who had waited so long for his chance at the big time, snuffed out in less than 30 minutes.

I spent most of the day thinking of Tony Renna's father. The pride he showed in his son when he made his IRL debut in Nashville last summer. I tried to come up with words to express my feelings. I found them on a video gaming board today.

"Sometimes racing just sucks."