Last Sunday, tragedy struck the racing world, taking away one of it’s most brightest and talented stars. Dan Wheldon, the 2 time Indianapolis 500 Racing Champion was killed during a horriffic 15 car wreck. Wheldon was just 33 years-old. The wreck took place in Las Vegas during the IZOD IndyCar Series finale. Wheldon is survived by his wife, Susie and two sons.
Wheldon, who was born in Emberton, England, had an enthusiasm for competitive racing at an early age . He began go-kart racing at four years-old. In England they refer to the sport as karting. With his father’s financial backing, the young Wheldon was quite successful. By the time he was in his late teens, Wheldon was one of the top open wheeled drivers in the U.K. In 1999, at the age of 21, Wheldon moved to the U.S. to further his racing career. Once here, he raced in the lower open wheeled circuits for about three years, until in 2002, he advanced to the IRL IndyCar Series.
After just a year, Wheldon caught the eye of the Andretti Green Racing team and was invited to join them. He did so, replacing Michael Andretti after his retirement. Wheldon recieved ’Rookie of the Year’ honors later that year. In 2004, he garnered his first IRL victory at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, finishing the season in 2cnd place with a total of three wins.
Wheldon pretty much owned the 2005 IRL season, scoring six victories plus winning the Indianapolis 500 and the season championship. With the six wins he broke the previous record of most wins in a season set by Sam Hornish, Jr who held the title with five wins. Wheldon’s victory at the 500 was the first by an Englishman since Graham Hill’s win in 1966.
In 2006, Wheldon joined up with the Chip Ganassi Racing team. Shortly after, he won the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race along with teammates Scott Dixon and Ganassi NASCAR driver Casey Mears.
Wheldon started off the 2006 IndyCar season by beating Helio Castronvenes by a tight 0.0147 seconds at Homestead in Miami. At the end of the 2006 season Wheldon was tied with Sam Hornish, Jr at 475 points. In the IRL when two drivers are tied in points, the driver with the most wins takes the championship. Hornish, who had four wins beat out Wheldon, who had two victories.
In 2008, Wheldon celebrated his 30th birthday when he scored his 15th career victory in the IndyCar Series at the 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Wheldon then promptly donated his winnings to help the victims of the tornadoes and flooding which had occurred in Iowa. 
In late 2008 Wheldon was released by Ganassi and joined his former team, Panther Racing. He placed 2cnd in the 2009 and 2010 Indianapolis 500. This gave Panther its third straight runner-up finish at Indy. But despite strong showings, without any wins, Panther replaced Wheldon with another driver.
After joining up with Bryan Herta Autosport, Wheldon won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 in dramatic and surprising fashion. On the final lap and just yards away from the checkered flag, Wheldon took the lead and crossed the finish line. It was the first time a driver had won the 500 without leading a single lap. An emotional Wheldon dedicated the victory to his mother, who had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Wheldon’s unforgettable win at Indianapolis makes his untimely death all the more tragic. But after just 12 years of racing in the IRL, Dan Wheldon’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his family, his fellow drivers, and his fans.
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