COOK COUNTY, IL. (THECOUNT) — Duane Tabinski, who was contracted to deploy his TracPac audio system for NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race site downtown, died Friday after he was apparently electrocuted.
Tabinski, 53, died at an area hospital after he was transported around 11:30 a.m. Friday from the 500 block of South Columbus Drive near Buckingham Fountain after suffering “fatal medical emergency,” according to NASCAR reps.
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No further details about the incident have been released.
“We are coordinating with local authorities on this tragic incident. We share our condolences to the family and their loved ones,” NASCAR said.
Tabinski is the founder “DUANE,” and was in Chicago to supply audio equipment for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. His coworkers said he invented a special piece of audio equipment called TracPac, and that is what he was setting up when at the time of his medical emergency.
Via TracPac website:
Introducing TracPac: DUANE’s next-generation in raceway audio. A turnkey, rentable service for full range audio across the entire track, TracPac ensures race fans are more than hearing your event – they’re feeling it. Gone are the days of “AM radio” sound: this is high-quality audio tuned to your track, for unmatched audience experience and engagement. Whether it’s 200 mph or a safety lap, your audience is having a grand time the entire time – every time.
“Earlier today he went up into the grandstands and he was able to fire it up for the first time and see it all work, and it was one of the happiest days of his life,” said Ken Sorrell, director of business development at DUANE.
Sorrell said Tabinski is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and currently lived in the Nashville metropolitan area. He had a long career working special events, creating and setting up production equipment for past NASCAR races as well as a number of major concerts.
Sorrell said the company was Tabinski’s passion and dream since he was 17, and while this weekend won’t be the same without him, his loved ones are promising to carry on his legacy.
“We’re gonna carry on. We’re gonna keep doing things. We’re gonna do this NASCAR event, all these future shows, and we’re gonna make him proud,” he said.
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