Everybody in the IndyCar series considered him a friend. Within seconds, several cars burst into flames and debris covered the track nearly halfway up the straightaway. Rescue workers were at Wheldon's car quickly, some furiously waving for more help to get to the scene.
Despite winning this year's Indy 500, Wheldon couldn't put together a full-time ride this season. Driver Dan Wheldon is transported to a medical helicopter following a crash during the IndyCar Series' Las Vegas Indy 300 auto race Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Las Vegas. An autopsy was planned Monday for Wheldon.
The accident appeared to start when Wade Cunningham's car swerved on the track and Hildebrand drove over the left rear of Cunningham's car. Hildebrand appeared to go airborne, and Cunningham's car shot up into the wall, setting off a chain reaction among the cars behind him.
Some of those cars slowed, others didn't, and others spun in front of Wheldon and Power. Wheldon then appeared to drive over a car driven by Toronto's Paul Tracy, who seemed to be slowing down. Wheldon, however, went airborne and spun into the fence.
The track was red-flagged following the accidents while crews worked on fences and removed smashed cars.
You could see cars scattered."
Weldon landed in this race thanks to Bernard's promise of (Canadian) $5 million to any moonlighting driver who could win the IndyCar season finale at Vegas. Graham Rahal's car burns following a crash early in the IndyCar Series' Las Vegas Indy 300 auto race Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Credit: AP Photo)
We race each other hard because that's what we do," driver Oriol Servia said. The accident spoiled what Bernard had hoped would be a showcase event for the struggling IndyCar Series.
When drivers returned to the track for the tribute laps, Wheldon's No. 77 was the only one on the towering scoreboard. "Everybody in IndyCar died a little today."
The 33-year-old Wheldon, one of the most well-liked drivers in the paddock, died Sunday after his car became ensnarled in a fiery 15-car pileup, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wheldon's death was a stunning loss at a time when improved cars, better safety equipment and energy-absorbing walls had created a sense that, while racing was still dangerous, it was not nearly as deadly.
At Las Vegas, Wheldon started at the back of the 34-car field, the largest of the season. A crowded field, with cars racing two- and three-wide on a fast oval, leaves no room for error. Many drivers jockeyed early for position.
Source :
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/17/3985109/dan-wheldons-death-showcases-dangers.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/16/sports/main20121120.shtml
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