RIP Dan Wheldon
- Thread starter ThumperAC
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ndyCar driver Dan Wheldon has been seriously injured after his car went sailing through the air during in a massive 15-car wreck early in Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300.
Indianapolis 500 winner Wheldon, in line to win $5 million had he won the race, was injured when he car flew over another on the Lap 12 wreck and apparently caught part of the catch fence just outside of Turn 2.
Wheldon was transported to a hospital in a helicopter after a crash early in Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300.
Paul Tracy, who was involved in the wreck, said a team of doctors was working on Wheldon, but there was no word of his injuries. A helicopter lifted off from the speedway, and an IndyCar official confirmed Wheldon was onboard.
Pippa Mann and J.R. Hildebrand also were transported to a hospital after complaining of dizziness.
The wreck left Townsend Bell upside down, smoldering cars strewn all over the track and debris nearly halfway up the straightaway of the 1.5-mile oval.
"Just a horrendous accident," said Tracy, who was involved in the accident. "Lot of prayers right now for Dan, because it's going to be a long recovery. They're scrambling in there right now. There's 20 doctors in there.
Wheldon had to start in the back of the field as part of the promotion and had quickly worked his way through the 34-car field before the big wreck.
"I've never seen such a mess in my entire career on the race track," said Danica Patrick, in her final IndyCar race before heading to NASCAR. Really concerned about Dan right now."
Drivers had been concerned about the high speeds on LVMS' 1.5-mile oval after they reached nearly 225 mph during practice.
Their concerns became reality when contact on Turn 2 sent cars flying through the air, crashing into each other and into the outside wall and catch fence.
The wreck left Bell's car upside down, smoldering cars strewn all over the track and debris scattered down the straightaway opposite the grandstand.
"I'll tell you, I've never seen anything like it," Ryan Briscoe said. "The debris we all had to drive through the lap later, it looked like a war scene from Terminator or something. I mean, there were just pieces of metal and car on fire in the middle of the track with no car attached to it and just debris everywhere. So it was scary, and your first thoughts are hoping that no one is hurt because there's just stuff everywhere. Crazy."
Wheldon bumped Alex Tagliani from his ride with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and raced two weeks ago at Kentucky as a warm-up for Las Vegas.
The accident also collected championship contender Will Power, who sat for a long time in his car in disbelief. Points-leader Dario Franchitti avoided it, and seemed stunned as he waited out the clean-up on pit road.
"I could see within five laps people were starting to do crazy stuff. I love hard racing but that to me is not really what it's about," Franchitti said. "You saw what happened, one small mistake from somebody ...."
Wheldon was replaced by Hildebrand at Panther Racing at the start of this season, and failed to land another ride. He put together a deal for the Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport, then won the race in dramatic fashion when Hildebrand wrecked going into the final turn. Wheldon sailed past for his second Indy 500 victory.
Despite the win, he was unable to put together anything for the rest of the season and spent the last several months doing television work and helping Herta Autosport test the prototype car the team will use next season.
Then he laid claim to IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard's offer to pay $5 million if any non-regular series driver entered and won the season finale at Las Vegas. Although Wheldon, winner of 14 career races on ovals, didn't meet the spirit of the promotion, Bernard let him participate in the challenge.
Indianapolis 500 winner Wheldon, in line to win $5 million had he won the race, was injured when he car flew over another on the Lap 12 wreck and apparently caught part of the catch fence just outside of Turn 2.
Wheldon was transported to a hospital in a helicopter after a crash early in Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300.
Paul Tracy, who was involved in the wreck, said a team of doctors was working on Wheldon, but there was no word of his injuries. A helicopter lifted off from the speedway, and an IndyCar official confirmed Wheldon was onboard.
Pippa Mann and J.R. Hildebrand also were transported to a hospital after complaining of dizziness.
The wreck left Townsend Bell upside down, smoldering cars strewn all over the track and debris nearly halfway up the straightaway of the 1.5-mile oval.
"Just a horrendous accident," said Tracy, who was involved in the accident. "Lot of prayers right now for Dan, because it's going to be a long recovery. They're scrambling in there right now. There's 20 doctors in there.
Wheldon had to start in the back of the field as part of the promotion and had quickly worked his way through the 34-car field before the big wreck.
"I've never seen such a mess in my entire career on the race track," said Danica Patrick, in her final IndyCar race before heading to NASCAR. Really concerned about Dan right now."
Drivers had been concerned about the high speeds on LVMS' 1.5-mile oval after they reached nearly 225 mph during practice.
Their concerns became reality when contact on Turn 2 sent cars flying through the air, crashing into each other and into the outside wall and catch fence.
The wreck left Bell's car upside down, smoldering cars strewn all over the track and debris scattered down the straightaway opposite the grandstand.
"I'll tell you, I've never seen anything like it," Ryan Briscoe said. "The debris we all had to drive through the lap later, it looked like a war scene from Terminator or something. I mean, there were just pieces of metal and car on fire in the middle of the track with no car attached to it and just debris everywhere. So it was scary, and your first thoughts are hoping that no one is hurt because there's just stuff everywhere. Crazy."
Wheldon bumped Alex Tagliani from his ride with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and raced two weeks ago at Kentucky as a warm-up for Las Vegas.
The accident also collected championship contender Will Power, who sat for a long time in his car in disbelief. Points-leader Dario Franchitti avoided it, and seemed stunned as he waited out the clean-up on pit road.
"I could see within five laps people were starting to do crazy stuff. I love hard racing but that to me is not really what it's about," Franchitti said. "You saw what happened, one small mistake from somebody ...."
Wheldon was replaced by Hildebrand at Panther Racing at the start of this season, and failed to land another ride. He put together a deal for the Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport, then won the race in dramatic fashion when Hildebrand wrecked going into the final turn. Wheldon sailed past for his second Indy 500 victory.
Despite the win, he was unable to put together anything for the rest of the season and spent the last several months doing television work and helping Herta Autosport test the prototype car the team will use next season.
Then he laid claim to IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard's offer to pay $5 million if any non-regular series driver entered and won the season finale at Las Vegas. Although Wheldon, winner of 14 career races on ovals, didn't meet the spirit of the promotion, Bernard let him participate in the challenge.
Very sad. This is the first Indy race I have watched in years. For those who were watching it live, Dan was working as a 'reporter' and communicating with the announcers just a few minutes before the wreck. Very nice guy and extremely thankfull to be given the opportunity to race. RIP mate.
I was at Indy in 2010 between T3 and T4 and watched Mike Conway's crash (similar in that he went airborne and hit the catch fence) and was concerned for Mike that day, but watching this happen live on TV I was sick to my stomach the moment it happened, somehow I knew Dan was not ok today.
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RIP Dan Wheldon.
The new CEO Randy Bernard has turned the Indy Car league into a complete mess. There were way too many cars on that track going over 200mph with little room for error. Watching that crash it was evident when the cockpit went into the fencing that there was no way Dan Wheldon was going to survive. It's such a shame that he was lured into this race by the money to win a race when starting from the back of the field.
The new CEO Randy Bernard has turned the Indy Car league into a complete mess. There were way too many cars on that track going over 200mph with little room for error. Watching that crash it was evident when the cockpit went into the fencing that there was no way Dan Wheldon was going to survive. It's such a shame that he was lured into this race by the money to win a race when starting from the back of the field.
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I saw the accident live and it looked bad. Seeing 2 or 3 cars flying 400 feet or so in the air is a bad thing. I'm thankful that more drivers (or spectators/ workers) weren't injured.
May Dan Rest in Peace.:frown:
Miner
May Dan Rest in Peace.:frown:
Miner
RIP Dan Wheldon.
The new CEO Randy Bernard has turned the Indy Car league into a complete mess. There were way too many cars on that track going over 200mph with little room for error. Watching that crash it was evident when the cockpit went into the fencing that there was no way Dan Wheldon was going to survive. It's such a shame that he was lured into this race by the money to win a race when starting from the back of the field.
+1000. The race was a recipe for disaster and it unfortunately happened!
Rest In Peace Dan. So sad... He left behind a promising career, a wife and 2 kids.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/schuey1/wheldon.jpg
This was the day after Marco won his first race, and him and Wheldon came to my hotel to party. A few of us went out to a fancy Hollywood club for a drink that night. Marco wasn't even 21, but scooted right by security. Such an amazing night. Sat and talked to Danny about racing and life for about an hour, such an amazing guy. Gone way too soon. RIP Dan. Now you will hit every apex perfectly. Keep it under 225 up there on the ovals. Road courses are 185 max. I will be joining you soon buddy.
so sad
so long ago. look how young they both look, yet I still show my thirty something years. two great kids having an amazing time day after day.
take care brother. the first Fullers is on you.
This was the day after Marco won his first race, and him and Wheldon came to my hotel to party. A few of us went out to a fancy Hollywood club for a drink that night. Marco wasn't even 21, but scooted right by security. Such an amazing night. Sat and talked to Danny about racing and life for about an hour, such an amazing guy. Gone way too soon. RIP Dan. Now you will hit every apex perfectly. Keep it under 225 up there on the ovals. Road courses are 185 max. I will be joining you soon buddy.
so sad
so long ago. look how young they both look, yet I still show my thirty something years. two great kids having an amazing time day after day.
take care brother. the first Fullers is on you.
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Such a sad day in motorsports. Dan was a true gentleman. He had just finished agreeing to a 2012 contract with the Andretti team last week to replace the spot left open by D. Patrick. He left behind a three year old son. How horrible. These speeds are much too fast. Even the more sophisticated F1 machines aren't allowed to reach these speeds. :frown:
RIP Dan W.
Watched it live... knew immediately it was bad... thought there would be more injuries... 34 cars on a 220mph 1.5 mile oval was a bad idea.
RIP Dan.
RIP Dan.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. He was a true gentleman. R.I.P.
may he rest in peace
I think Ralph hit the wall at those speeds. On 20 June 2004, Schumacher was seriously injured in an accident at the United States Grand Prix. The deceleration was measured at 78 g, one of the most severe in all of motor racing history, resulting in a concussion as well as two minor fractures to his spinal column. He was taken to a nearby hospital and spent almost four days there and several months at home in bed. This caused him to be sidelined for the majority of the season.
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I think F1 cars are safer....
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You can't compare the accidents. This was cockpit to fence verses rear impact. Cockpit to wall also took Greg Moore from irl 10 years ago. It was a bad plan to have 34 225mph open wheel cars on that short oval track. I personally believe the organizers partially responsible
Let's not turn this into a debate. Tragedy for weldon family rest in peace
Let's not turn this into a debate. Tragedy for weldon family rest in peace
Re: Never had a chance.
Yeah, I thought the car's profile looked awfully flat under the yellow tarp.
Yeah, I thought the car's profile looked awfully flat under the yellow tarp.
Re: Never had a chance.
From people that I know in the racing industry, the scene was very bad. Think of the fence as a cheese grater and you can probably envision how it affected the car and helmet. Very sad.
From people that I know in the racing industry, the scene was very bad. Think of the fence as a cheese grater and you can probably envision how it affected the car and helmet. Very sad.
