Remembering Dan Wheldon

As most of you know, two time Indianapolis 500 champion, Dan Wheldon was killed in a horrific crash during the IndyCar Las Vegas 300 on Sunday. 

Dan Wheldon Dies In Fiery IndyCar Crash

Dan Wheldon Remembered

True race fans are fully aware of the danger inherent to the sport.  For the record, by "true race fans", I am not referring to those who attend the Indy 500 for no reasons but to see how much beer they can drink and how obnoxious they can be.  Indeed, I am referring to those of us who attend races, watch races on television, follow the championships, and who know and respect the drivers.  Despite the massive improvements in safety over the past 30 to 35 years that I have followed this sport, the risks involved in strapping oneself into a guided missile with wheels, some of which are capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph (483 km/h), are always in the back of everyone's minds from the fans to the crew members to the officials to the drivers themselves.

That being said, events like those that took Dan from us far too soon are still shocking and sobering.  I read a clip earlier that said "Everyone in IndyCar died a little with Dan".  Dare I take this sentiment further and say that every race fan worldwide died a little bit as well?  The world of motorsport is a little darker, and it was a black day indeed.

As for me, I cheered Wheldon when he took car owner Michael Andretti to Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  It was the first time an Andretti had been in Victory Lane since 1969, and Wheldon went on the win the IRL championship this season.  I rooted against him when he drove for rival Chip Ganassi, but the respect and admiration never waned. I cheered him again when he captured his second Indy 500 this May. He raced hard.  He raced clean.  In a sport known for prima dona drivers and cookie cutter interviews, Wheldon was a breath of fresh air and a man who always  took time to genuinely interact with fans, myself included.  He was a class act.

Racing lost a true champion and a good man.  A young family lost its husband and father.

Dan, please give our love and respect to Ayrton, Roland, Gilles, Mark, Ricardo, Wolfgang, Gordon, Jovy, Scott, Jeff, Greg, Tony, Paul, Bill, Pat, Eddie, Swede, Jerry, Adam, Clifford, Dale, Kenny, Neil, Davey, and countless others.  Like them, you will be missed, but never forgotten.  Rest In Peace, Dan Wheldon.

Godspeed.