INDIANAPOLIS – Paul Morgan, the racing engine designer who co-founded Ilmor Engineering, was killed Saturday when the plane he was piloting crashed in England. He was 52.

Morgan was a partner with Mario Illien, Roger Penske and Mercedes-Benz in an alliance that prepared some of the most powerful engines in Indy-car racing.

"The news today was just devastating," said Penske, who owned a 25 percent share of the business. "Mario was the designer, but Paul Morgan was the one that kept it together. So it's a tremendous loss."

Penske said he'd spoken with Morgan's family Saturday and that Morgan had been working on his motorcycle before taking off in his plane and flying over his garden.

But it was clear to his family members, Penske said, that Morgan was keeping a keen eye on what was taking place in Indianapolis -- practice for the Indianapolis 500.

"I was talking to his son and he said he'd talked to his dad last night and that he was so excited because of the way the cars were running," Penske said. "His wife said he was really enjoying the best part of his life. It's one of those things we just don't understand."

The impact of Ilmor's product on auto racing has been strong.

The two cars Penske ran and the two cars Indy Racing League owner Tom Kelley ran Saturday were powered by Oldsmobile engines prepared by Ilmor. Of those four cars, three finished among the top-five qualifiers, including Scott Sharp's pole-winning car that was clocked at 226.037 mph.

Kelley was the first Indy Racing League owner to join forces with Ilmor, and the move paid big dividends.

In six months, Ilmor took an Oldsmobile engine and turned it into the powerful machine that put Sharp on the pole.

"For them to produce a pole-winning engine in six months, I think, shows you the dedication of Paul Morgan," Kelley said. "I'm just very, very sorry that Paul Morgan didn't get to see us win the pole with Scott Sharp. For him not to see that breaks my heart."

To Penske, the loss was even more personal.

He said his relationship with Morgan began during a meeting between himself, Illien and Morgan at his home, and that he had fond memories of his days with Morgan when they came to Indianapolis together.

"I still remember him leaving his blue jacket in the garage in Indianapolis," Penske said. "There's nothing that can replace Paul Morgan."