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| Wheldon celebrating his 500 victory on May 29 |
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Wheldon & his family
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday of "unsurvivable injuries" sustained during a multi-car wreck at the Las Vegas Indy 300. He was 33.
The remaining drivers, many of whom were visibly emotional after emerging from a meeting with IndyCar officials, did a five-lap salute in Wheldon's honor. "Amazing Grace" played as the drivers slowly wound their way around the track. More than a dozen vehicles were involved in Sunday's fiery wreck. Video of the accident showed cars spinning out of control, bursting into flames, and shooting smoke and debris into the air.
Wheldon was in line to win $5 million if he had captured the checkered flag at Sunday's race. "I lost one of my best friends, one of my greatest teammates," driver Tony Kanaan told reporters. "I know this is a dangerous sport. I know we're more and watch the tragic video of the car explosion after the jump (graphic content)exposed to that every day, in normal life as well. But you know, you don't think about it. Today we have to think about it," he said.
After his second Indy 500 victory in May, Wheldon talked with CNN's "American Morning" about the intensity of the race track. His first win was in 2005.
"We're doing speeds in excess of 225 miles per hour. With this race, you never know what can happen. It's about staying focused and you really don't ever let off the power unless you have to," he said.
The rest of the race -- the marquee event of the IZOD IndyCar World Championships -- was canceled.
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Source....CNN, Video Credit...Youtube
