NASCAR contractor dies after being electrocuted while installing audio equipment for a Chicago street race
- Duane Tabinski, 53, has been identified as a contractor electrocuted on Friday
- I was setting up audio equipment for the first NASCAR street race in Chicago.
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news
A NASCAR contractor has died after being electrocuted while preparing for the Chicago Street Race.
The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the man who died Friday as Duane Tabinski, 53, founder of an events company hired to install audio equipment for the race, local station WLS-TV informed.
NASCAR said in a statement that a worker had “suffered a fatal medical emergency” on Friday.
“We are coordinating with the local authorities this tragic incident,” race organizers said. “We share our condolences with the family and their loved ones.”
It was initially reported that the 53-year-old was installing his original TracPac systems in front of the main grandstands when he was electrocuted, with his cause of death later confirmed by autopsy results released on Saturday.
Duane Tabinski (right, pictured with his wife) has been named as the man who died in Chicago.
Tabinski owned an events company that had been contracted to install equipment for NASCAR.
NASCAR races through the streets of Chicago for the first time this weekend
Chicago Sun Times report that a witness heard Tabinski groaning and found him ‘collapsed’ in the 500 block of South Columbus, but was unable to reach him to help him because he was in a ‘locked’ area, with high voltage electricity flowing.
The police report revealed that when paramedics arrived to treat Tabinski, they were unable to reach him until the danger had ‘passed away’.
Chicago police said first responders took Tabinski from the racetrack to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Friday morning, according to WLS-TV.
The Chicago Street Race is the first street race in NASCAR Cup Series history and will pass through downtown landmarks on Sunday night.
Tabinski’s wife, Kristin, described him as “the most amazing human being that ever lived.”
Tabinski had worked on hundreds of major events, including concerts for Katy Perry and ZZ Top.
The Black Crowes performed at Grant Park as part of NASCAR’s weekend event in Chicago
According to his company’s website, Tabinski has been in the industry for over 30 years and has previously worked live events for Bob Dylan, Katy Perry, ZZ Top, and more.
Most recently, he worked at CMA Fest 2023 and was scheduled to work with audio equipment at more NASCAR races in the future.
“We are overwhelmingly devastated by the loss of Duane,” his wife of eight years, Kristin Tabinski, told the Sun-Times. “He was so excited to help the fans feel the action and his team will make sure the show goes on this weekend.”
Tabinski had nine siblings, five children and seven grandchildren, and his wife added: “He was the most amazing human being who ever lived.” He was perfect for me.
