Posted on 10/16/2011 3:11:34 PM PDT by TaraP
Breaking on CNN
Oh wow, I heard about the crash but haven’t seen it yet. Very sad.
I knew it. Dang. Prayers
IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon dies in wreck
LAS VEGAS IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon has died from injuries after his car went sailing through the air during a massive 15-car wreck early in Sunday’s Las Vegas Indy 300.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/indycar-driver-dan-wheldon-1202315.html
Who is Dan Wheldon?
I didn’t even know who he was but happened to turn the TV on and saw the live coverage of the race, actually after the race had been cancelled.
I was struck by just how clearly the other drivers are saddened.
He won two Indy 500 races, this year he won it. British Indy car racer.
RIP Dan Wheldon!!!
Wow, I’m always surprised when I see these horrible track crashes, and the drivers are not injured..I’m sorry, Dan W wasn’t so lucky.
RIP, Dan.
Horrible Crash!
Not sure how the other’s are doing yet.....
I just heard... very sad!
Now there’ll be endless replays of the accident by the morbid media.
I thought “breaking” was supposed to a racist term?
.
Wow! Watching. RIP Dan Weldon! 5 lap tribute to Dan Weldon....
As one who is active in racing, God’s speed our friend and our prayers to your family and friends. We will miss you in the seasons to come but will see you again when we are eventually called home.
” Now therell be endless replays of the accident by the morbid media. “
Followed immediately by time-wasting Congressional hearings, and DEMANDS for a “Motor Racing Safety Act”....
“Cradle-to-Grave” is our motto....
I am not one to follow, but are the risks at such high speeds really worth it? Just like air shows?
It is all entertainment, but is this a more riskier form of spectator sport for the participant?
Some comments at a time like this, are classless and uncalled for.
watched the whole thing...big open wheel/Indy fan and today was suppose to be an exciting day...terrible crash- smacked the catch fence and the back sheared off...he was a good guy- broken down in victory lane after winning the Indy 500 for his mom who is suffering from Alzheimer..Wheldon drove the National Guard car in Indy for years and was always complimenting our troops...very, very, sad...
Beautiful Photo..
Prayers to his wife and children...
May GOD ease there pain with his grace and love....
racers doing a five lap salute for Wheldon...bagpipes playing in the background...
very sad...
Yahoo has actual ABC footage... don’t bather with youtube crap.
RIP and prayers for his loved ones.
Amen! Lovely tribute right now with the cars and the bagpipes.
Later AP thread:
“IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,” IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said.
A very close relative is an Indycar official. As a matter of fact, I just saw him on TV. This will be devastating for the whole community. I’m not sure how much longer Indycar can survive. I thought this even before the crash today.
Driver blog: Dan Wheldon frustrated with car in Las Vegas
Did anyone notice the tough looking driver, sort of looked Italian to me, sitting in his car prior to the 5 lap tribute?
The guy was crying so bad I wondered if he would be able to drive.

It is sad to learn of the loss of a young life. I understand the need for expression, but this five lap tribute is not doing much for me. I think they should have lined up the cars for the ceremonial laps and left the pole position vacant as a missing man tribute.
that was Dario Franchitti- he’s from Scotland and married to Ashley Judd...
“I am not one to follow, but are the risks at such high speeds really worth it?”
Nah. We should ban it. We should ban anything where anybody might get hurt. /S
Why don’t you just stay home and hide under your covers.
The rest of us will decide for ourselves what risks we are willing to take.
Right - they’ll make them start closer to the finish, reduce speeds to 70mph and no switching lanes.
I only occasionally watch Indy racing. I usually watch NASCAR. The Indy cars always make me nervous because they aren’t as “crashable” as the NASCAR cars, if you know what I mean. I’m very sorry your close relative will be dealing with this tragic loss, along with the whole community. Prayers for all.

i agree- this is really a big blow for IndyCar...they put a lot of effort and resources into this- packages to fly to Vegas, etc...Wheldon was racing for $5million today as he had not been a regular in the series...the loss of Wheldon aside (which i realize is impossible) this is a major blow for the IRL...
I got the HD video card working in my PC just seconds before. Real bad time to tune in.
That was Scotsman Dario Franchitti, husband of Ashley Judd.
So unfortunate. RIP Dan Wheldon.
Is this event still on TV now??
It doesn’t necessarily mean that the media is morbid. Not everyone was watching and there will be some that will want to see the crash. Fans and drivers in other motor sports. That can’t be helped. They spoke of the catch fence causing a lot of damage. The video will probably be watched by some to see how to improve that.
Some people have no class.
Indy race car driver. Very, very nice guy with two little kids.
Yes, that is the guy.
Were they by chance on the same team?
Can you correct his name spelling in the title. Thanks
God,awful to watch.
RIP Mr. Weldon
50-100 high school athletes die every year in the United States. Sadly, these things happen.
No they ended the race and did the 5 laps and returned to regular programming.
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