Dan Wheldon Tragedy

[PezKat]

For the Indy gals and any racing fans who might not have heard - Dan Wheldon died today in a Lap 11 crash in Las Vegas. 15 cars were involved, several other injuries but I don't think there was anything else major. First Indy Car death in 5 years. We were switching back & forth between the pre-race fluff (which included a bit on Wheldon because there was a fan contest where if he won they'd split the money, but he was starting at the back) and the Colts game and just turned the tv off after the Bengals' last TD and forgot about the race... if we'd switched over we probably would've seen it live, but I just heard about half an hour ago. He was only 33. I'm just in shock and my heart is aching and I know that even though he died in Vegas Indy will be mourning him as well.

[CherryTat]

I am not a racing fan at all, but it's really sad when something like this happens. I know racing is high risk for injury but it's so, so sad.

[Ayla]

I am not a racing fan at all, but it's really sad when something like this happens. I know racing is high risk for injury but it's so, so sad.

I agree. But if there's one good way to look at it, how better can it be than to die doing something you love?

[4peasinourpod]

I heard about it during the crop. He was a good guy, too. The crash was horrific, I heard. We are Nascar, not Indy, but I will watch it occasionally. (Except road races. not a fan of those).
Prayers to his family. I heard Dario talking about Wheldon's son. sad.

[AnnOminous]

I had been watching other stuff, plus working on the computer. I changed channels expecting to catch the finish but instead that was just as they came out of that meeting. When I saw Tony Kanaan crying I knew.


It seems like this has been the bad luck year to win the big race. Rookie Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 in just his second cup race and a few months later came down with a mysterious illness that nearly ended his racing career. Dan won the Indy 500 in a total upset - it was a one race deal. Despite being the 2005 Indy 500 winner and the series champion Dan did not have a regular ride this year. His Cinderella Indy 500 win was what led to him getting the deal to run this race with the $5 million bonus if he won it. For the majority of the year Dan had been testing the new chasis for the Indy series for next year - ironically a much safer car. I hope they put the $5 mil in a trust fund for his two kids.

[PezKat]

You're right Ann... even more ironic is the fact that JR Hildebrand's crash made Dan the winner in May, and started today's tragedy as well. I don't blame anyone, haven't even heard details, but just weird that the 2 are now connected in that way.


I'm sure next May will be a bit more somber. I really don't follow the whole season but grew up having it as a month-long, city-wide event.



Well, news for a few minutes & then I'm going to try to go back to scrapping!

[dwinchell]

I read about this just a little bit ago... Horrible to hear.. I am also a Nascar gal. I pray for his wife and children. I hope somthing good will come from this bad.

[jannyf]

WE're NASCAR fans as well, but we hate to see anyone perish in any sport. It's sad to see such a young life taken. I have to agree w/Ayala and it reminds me of when Dale Earhart died - doing something you love. Real sad day.......

[Indy Scrapper]

I happen to catch an interview with Dan prior to the race where he was actually talking about how accidents happen in racing. Who would have thought? He seemed like a great all around guy. This is indeed a sad event in racing.

[GRACEpunches5]

as soon as the crash happened by dh got all excited and then we knew it was bad when they put yellow trap over his car. so, so sad. he had kids just younger than mine. just can't imagine what was going through his mind, his wife's mind...prayers to his family.