In the past few years, the list of people swallowed up by the vortex that is American open wheel racing is stunning.

Reading them off, you can lose your breath: Memo Gidley, Casey Mears, Brian Tyler, J.J. Yeley, Townsend Bell, Donnie Beechler, Rocky Moran Jr., Jim Guthrie, Alex Gurney, Jason Leffler, Robby Unser, Jeff Ward, Buddy Rice, Jimmy Kite, Jeret Schroeder, Bryan Herta, Jon Fogarty and Hoover Orsi.

They were proven red, white and blue competitors abandoned by Championship Auto Racing Teams or the Indy Racing League, or both, and left to rot by the side of the road. Sure, Herta finally received a reprieve this year in the IRL and Rice had one until recently, while Bell went to Europe and Mears and Leffler headed south to NASCAR.

Given the climate here, Tony Renna appeared destined to be thrown into that Missing Drivers file.

After successful stints in Barber Dodge and Indy Lights, Renna was poised to continue his climb up CART's ladder. He'd been promised a Champ Car ride for 2001 but PacWest Racing reneged. He had no other options in CART so he turned to the IRL and became a test driver and a spotter for Kelley Racing in 2002.

He filled in for Al Unser Jr. last year and did a nice job this past May as a rookie at Indianapolis. Still, a half dozen races in three years is hardly encouraging and Tom Kelley recently told Renna he couldn't promise him anything for 2004.

But, unlike most of those guys listed above, Renna's story has a happier outcome.

Earlier this week, Chip Ganassi signed the 26-year-old native of Deland, Fla., to replace Tomas Scheckter next season in one of his Target cars.

"I never considered giving up on racing," replied Renna, who drove short-track stockers near his home in Las Vegas last year, when asked the obvious question. "I never thought that, but I did think about getting more involved in other things. I always tried to keep myself in a car of some kind.

"I didn't see much in open wheel for me so I tried to get some experience in heavier, fendered cars in case I had to look at NASCAR.

"But I never thought about getting out because I love everything about it."

Well, almost everything. The legal battle that ensued over his PacWest contract was a tough time.

"I figured that was going to be my springboard to the big time," he said, referring to the fact he'd run Indy Lights and tested a Champ Car for PacWest in 2000. "I had a contract and very solid guarantees I'd be in CART for 2001 but they decided they didn't want to do that.

"Dealing with my PacWest ordeal was not very pleasant."

Yet it did give him a new perspective.

"I grew up a lot because of that whole PacWest thing," said Renna, who settled out of court with PacWest. "I've hardened quite a bit but it also gave me a better appreciation of opportunities and the importance of getting to know people.

"I do like everything about this sport, the business side and decision-making process both intrigue me, but I have a little different outlook today."

Not to mention one of the best rides in American motorsports.

"Tom Kelley has been very good to me and he allowed me to pursue a better opportunity when some other owners might have strung you along," said Renna, who started eighth and finished seventh in his rookie run at Indy.

"I think my time has come and there's been some interesting circumstances to get to this point. I never had a whole lot of funding behind me but I've always been fortunate to be surrounded by good people.

"There were some lean times, definitely, but I wouldn't take back any of the last couple years."

Teammed with Scott Dixon for the second time (they were together in Lights at PacWest), Renna is revved up for 2004 and beyond.

"I think I played the patience game pretty well," he said. "I've matured and I think I'm ready to be in a place like this. It's the right place and right time. Nothing would be more gratifying for me than to do great things for Chip's team."

Ganassi's hiring record speaks well for Renna. Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi, Juan Montoya, Bruno Junqueira and Dixon have all been winners/champions with the Pittsburgh native.

"All any driver wants is a fair shot," Renna said. "And I've got a great opportunity."

Robin Miller covers open wheel racing for ESPN and ESPN.com.