Dan Wheldon dies following crash

[.infamous]

LAS VEGAS -- Dan Wheldon, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the most popular drivers in open-wheel racing, died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific multi-car crash only 11 laps into the IndyCar Series season finale.

Officials decided to call the race, but the drivers planned a five-lap tribute to Wheldon. IndyCar Series CEORandy Bernard made the officials announcmeent of Wheldon's death without further comment.

"IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries," Bernard said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor."

Wheldon, 33 and the 2005 series champion from Emberton, England, was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season, trying to win the event and earn a $5 million bonus that was part of a league promotion for drivers who didn't compete full-time in the series this year.

Wheldon was the only driver to accept the challenge. This year's Indy 500 was the second time Wheldon had won the prestigious event. He also won it in 2005.

Wheldon was expected to replace Danica Patrick next season in the Go-Daddy-sponsored car for Andretti Autosport.

Patrick is moving to NASCAR full-time in 2012.

Wheldon raced for Michael Andretti's team previously from 2003 through 2005 when he won the championship. Wheldon won 16 races in his nine-year IndyCar career.

 

[.infamous]

R.I.P Dan Wheldon

 

[Mexi]

scary sport man

Rest in Peace

very sad

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

That was definitely one of the worst wrecks I've ever seen, sucks to see a guy lose his life. Indy car is just way too dangerous, there's absolutely no protection in them things. The racing world lost a great driver today.

RIP Dan Wheldon

 

[Pugz]

dangggg. sad. RIP

 

[RipCity32]

Absolutely awful news. Such a young guy. RIP.

 

[Bengals1Fan]

I've met him once. He was a great guy. Real nice honest and funny. Really sorry for his family. RIP

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I've met him once. He was a great guy. Real nice honest and funny. Really sorry for his family. RIP

You met him? That's pretty cool. Bet you'll remember that moment forever.

 

[Shady_McCoy25]

Awful news. R.I.P Dan Wheldon

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This sucks, that was a horrific crash.

Wheldon lost his life in only his third race of the season, and the last race of the Indy Car series.

RIP Dan Wheldon.

 

[germany00]

My dad was watching this :/ tragic stuff. RIP

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

This sucks, that was a horrific crash.

Wheldon lost his life in only his third race of the season, and the last race of the Indy Car series.

RIP Dan Wheldon.

This is a prime example of why I hate people that watch it just for the wrecks, it really pisses me off. There's nothing good about it.

 

[cruzg24]

RIP Dan Wheldon.

 

[DJT]

Man that sucks...hope his family is coping.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This is a prime example of why I hate people that watch it just for the wrecks, it really pisses me off. There's nothing good about it.

Nah it's not, ESPN just did a good piece on Wheldon.

I don't think people realize just how bad these wrecks are. I remember I went to Talladega the year Earnhardt died and the wrecks that scared the shit out of me. I can't imagine how scary that wreck was live yesterday.

 

[lonesomefx]

I saw footage of the crash on ESPN the other day and this was a very tragic thing. The wreck was terrible.

R.I.P Dan Wheldon.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I saw footage of the crash on ESPN the other day and this was a very tragic thing. The wreck was terrible.

R.I.P Dan Wheldon.

Terrible is an understatement.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

"Blunt trauma to the head" is the cause of death.

He wasn't hit with a tire was he? My dad said he was.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

"Blunt trauma to the head" is the cause of death.

He wasn't hit with a tire was he? My dad said he was.

His head nailed the catch fence when the car flew up in the air over the wall.