CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: In a devastating incident, a NASCAR contractor lost his life Friday, June 30, after being electrocuted during the setup for the Chicago Street Race at Grant Park 220. The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as 53-year-old Duane Tabinski, the founder of an event production company responsible for audio equipment installation. The tragic incident occurred as Tabinski was setting up for the race. NASCAR expressed its condolences and is cooperating with local authorities.
NASCAR promptly released a statement in response, stating, "We are coordinating with local authorities on this tragic incident. We share our condolences to the family and their loved ones." The racing organization expressed deep sorrow over the loss and acknowledged the need for collaboration with the authorities in investigating the incident. After the incident, Tabinski was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead on Friday morning, as reported by WLS-TV.
Who was Duane Tabinski?
Duane Tabinski, 53, was not only a contractor but also the founder of an event production company called DUANE. He had been in Chicago to supply audio equipment for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. According to colleagues, Tabinski was setting up a unique audio equipment piece called Tracpac, which he had invented when the accident occurred. Ken Sorrell, director of business development at DUANE, shared that earlier on the day of the incident, Tabinski had successfully tested the equipment from the grandstands and it brought him immense joy. Sorrell described it as "one of the happiest days of his life."
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tabinski resided in Nashville, Tennessee at the time of his passing. Tabinski had previously set up production equipment for NASCAR races and major concerts. Colleagues and friends spoke highly of him, emphasizing his dedication to exceptional customer service and his constant pursuit of improvement. "He treats everyone like a friend, and he's always looking for ways to do things better and make everyone happier," said Sorrell. The event production company was Tabinski's lifelong dream, and his loved ones are determined to carry on his legacy. "We're gonna carry on. We're gonna keep doing things," Sorrell added. "We're gonna do this NASCAR event, all these future shows, and we're gonna make him proud." Tabinski's family was en route to Chicago, Illinois, to join him at the time of the interview with Sorrell.
Historical significance of the Chicago street race
Despite the tragedy, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race is set to proceed as scheduled and will occur on Sunday at 5 pm ET. This historic event will be the first street race in the Nascar Cup Series featuring drivers racing past some of the city's renowned landmarks. Originally starting as a virtual street race in March 2021 as part of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, rumors of it being turned into a real-life race emerged. The official announcement confirming the race's inclusion in the Cup Series was made on July 19, 2022. Now, the Chicago Street Race holds great significance as a milestone event in Nascar history, per the New York Post.
As the racing community mourns the loss of Duane Tabinski, the focus remains on honoring his memory and ensuring the successful execution of the Chicago Street Race, while also investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
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