Tragic Death at Indy: Popular Indy 500 Champ Dan Wheldon Killed in Horrific, Fiery Las Vegas Race Crash, R.I.P. (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on October 17, 2011
Popular two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died in a horrific, fiery Las Vegas race crash yesterday
Utter horror yesterday at the Las Vegas Indy 300 when popular, UK-born race car driver Dan Weldon’s car flew over another car and hit a wall during the 13th lap of the race.
On Sunday, at the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Wheldon’s car was one of 15 cars that was involved in a wreck that started when two cars touched tires. His cars exploded into flames. Although medical assistance were rushed to him quickly, Wheldon sustained injuries from the crash that were unsurvivable. Wheldon died from his injuries shortly after the collision.
A family man, affable and enthusiastic, and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Weldon was only 33 years old — he died far too soon.
This was the second sports-related tragedy in Nevada during the past month. In September, during an air show race outside Reno at Reno-Stead Airport, a World War II fighter plane, piloted by 74-year-old Jimmy Leeward, suddenly crashed into the VIP grandstands, killing and maiming many of the spectators.
Heartfelt prayers to the family, friends, and fans of Wheldon — especially to his wife, Susie and their two young sons, Sebastian, 2, and Oliver, 6 months.
Rest in peace, Dan.
From ABC News, IndyCar Driver Dan Wheldon Dies in Wreck at Age 33:
Dan Wheldon, who moved to the United States from his native England with hopes of winning the Indianapolis 500 and went on to twice prevail at his sport’s most famed race, died Sunday after a massive, fiery wreck at the Las Vegas Indy 300.
One of the most well-liked drivers in the paddock, Wheldon was 33.
He called the Indy 500 “the biggest sporting event in the world,” and his second and final win there came in a most unexpected fashion. Trailing rookie JR Hildebrand with only one turn remaining, Wheldon was resigned to finishing second for the third straight year.
SkyNews, Dan Wheldon Killed in Crash at IndyCar Las Vegas 300 Race
From Seattle Post Intelligencer, Indy 500 Winner Dan Wheldon Dies in Race Crash:
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died after a fiery crash at the Las Vegas speedway Sunday, The Associated Press reports.
Wheldon’s car burst into flames when it flew over another car and hit a wall on 13th lap of the Las Vegas 300. Drivers were informed of Wheldon’s death two hours after the 15-car wreck. Wheldon, who was 33, won the Indy 500 this year and 2005.
“It was like a movie scene which they try to make as gnarly as possible,” Danica Patrick was quoted as saying. “It was debris everywhere across the whole track, you could smell the smoke, you could see the billowing smoke on the back straight from the car. There was a chunk of fire that we were driving around. You could see cars scattered.
Dan Wheldon with his wife Susie in 2008
From Washington Post, F1 champs Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton hail Dan Wheldon as ‘true fighter’ and ‘inspiration’:
Formula One champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hailed fellow Briton Dan Wheldon as a “true fighter” and an “inspirational” figure after the IndyCar driver was killed in a massive crash in Las Vegas.
Button recalled Wheldon, who died Sunday at the age of 33, as being a star of the British karting circuit in the 1990s before going on to win the Indianapolis 500 twice.
“I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90s, a true fighter,” Button said on Twitter.
“We’ve lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy … I can’t begin to imagine what his family are going through and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.”
Wheldon, who was born in Buckinghamshire, a county just north of London, was also an inspiration to Hamilton after deciding to try his luck in the U.S. following a successful junior career during which he won eight British karting titles.
“Dan was a racer I’d followed throughout my career, as I often followed in his footsteps as we climbed the motor sport ladder in the UK,” said Hamilton, Button’s teammate at McLaren.
MT 89 Motorsports, Rest in Peace, Dan Wheldon – 5-Lap Salute
Official statement via Las Vegas Sun:
LVMS President Chris Powell issued a statement this late afternoon: “All of us here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are deeply saddened by the death of Dan Wheldon. He was a tremendous racecar driver and a great representative for IndyCar racing. Our prayers are with Dan’s family, as well as the officials and sponsors of IndyCar.”
From ABC RTV 6 News, Indianapolis, Drivers Remember Dan Wheldon:
Dozens of racing fans made the journey to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday to visit a makeshift memorial honoring Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon.
Wheldon was killed in a fiery 15-car pile-up at the Las Vegas Speedway. His fans said Wheldon’s death was a major loss to the racing industry and the city of Indianapolis.
Robert Fetters came to IMS as soon as he found out about the tragic accident.
“I was sitting at home and decided I had to do something. I had to come. I didn’t have much, I brought a candle. I’m just very shaken up. It’s just been a very emotional day,” Fetters said.
Derrick Holmes said he’s been a longtime fan of Wheldon’s.
“I was at his first race in 2005, and I was at this year’s 100 anniversary when he won,” Holmes said. “Dan Wheldon was one of the finest drivers that has ever raced at (IMS) or will ever race at this facility.”
Some fans said they were watching the race and saw the crash that claimed Wheldon’s life, 6News’ Eboné Monet reported.
“I’ve been watching the Indy 500 since I was a little kid, and it was one of the worse crashes I’ve ever seen,” fan Conrad Mazeika said. “We were just crossing our fingers and saying our prayers that he was going to pull through. I mean, he has kids and a wife.”
Wheldon appeared on David Letterman’s late-night talk show this past June.
Dan Wheldon – Indianapolis 500 Champion, Letterman Interview | June 2011
From Official Wire:
As word began to spread that his injuries were fatal, those at the track could not control their tears. Television cameras captured Ashley Judd, the wife of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, dabbing at her eyes shortly before the official word came.
The remainder of the race was canceled. Drivers solemnly returned to the track for a five-lap tribute to Wheldon, almost all of them hiding their eyes behind dark sunglasses after being told their colleague was gone. As Roger Penske met with his team trackside and other drivers simply hugged those around them, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard made the announcement of Wheldon’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today,” Bernard said.
When drivers returned to the track, Wheldon’s No. 77 was the only one on the towering scoreboard. Franchitti sobbed uncontrollably as he got back into his car for the tribute laps. Over speakers at the track, the song “Danny Boy” blared, followed by “Amazing Grace” as hundreds of crew workers from each team stood solemnly.
“What can you say? We’re going to miss him,” said Chip Ganassi, Wheldon’s former car owner. “Everybody in IndyCar died a little today.”
From Wheldon’s bio on Wikipedia:
Wheldon, who was born in Emberton, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, took up karting at the age of four with funding from his father, he progressed through the junior ranks of motor racing during his school years. Attending Bedford School until he completed his GCSEs at age 16, he frequently took time off to race. During his early career in open wheel racing, he developed a rivalry with Jenson Button before ultimately leaving the United Kingdom to race in America.
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