Chris O'meara/AP
IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan, left, of Brazil, Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, third from left, and Dario Franchitti, of Scotland, right, carry the coffin of fellow driver Dan Wheldon after funeral services Saturday, Oct 22, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Wheldon was killed Oct. 16, in a fiery 15-car crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
AP reports:
Of all the indelible moments from Dan Wheldon's public memorial service — fellow IndyCar drivers Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan serving as pallbearers, his father carrying his racing helmet and country music star Wynonna Judd singing two gripping songs — the heart-wrenching letter from his wife cut deepest.
Susie Wheldon's letter to Dan left few eyes dry in the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg.
Read the full story here.
Isaac Brekken / AP
Dario Franchitti (back to camera) returns to the pit row following tribute laps in honor of Dan Wheldon, who was killed earlier in a crash during the IndyCar Series' Las Vegas Indy 300 auto race on October 16 in Las Vegas.
Tom Pennington / Getty Images
Team members line the pitlane as the drivers complete five memorial laps to honor Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16.
Robert Laberge / Getty Images
A fan waves a sign after Dan Wheldon died of injuries after a fifteen car crash during the Las Vegas Indy 300 on October 16.
Tom Pennington / Getty Images
Dario Franchitti surrounds himself with crew members and wife, Ashley Judd, after Dan Wheldon was killed on October 16.
Nick Laham / Getty Images, file
Dan Wheldon waves to photographers during the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Trophy Presentation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The AP reports:
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who died on Sunday after his car became ensnared in a fiery 15-car pileup, came to the United States from England in 1999 and became one of IndyCar's biggest and most popular stars.
In his honor, drivers, many sobbing openly, took part in a five-lap salute around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval as thousands of fans stood and cheered from the grandstand.
"One minute you're joking around at driver intros and the next, Dan's gone," said Dario Franchitti, whose wife, actress Ashley Judd, had to bring him a box of tissues. "I lost, we lost, a good friend. Everybody in the IndyCar series considered him a friend. He was such a good guy. He was a charmer." Read the full story.
Robert Laberge / Getty Images
The car of Dan Wheldon of England driver of the #77 Bowers & Wilkins Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara Honda, left, flies in the air during the Las Vegas Indy 300 part of the IZOD IndyCar World Championships presented by Honda on Oct. 16, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev.
According to AP:
"IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries," IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor."
Three other drivers, including championship contender Will Power, were hurt in the pileup.
Read more here.
John Sommers II / Reuters
Bryan Herta Autosport driver Dan Wheldon of England pours milk on himself after winning the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 29.
From the AP:
JR Hildebrand was one turn away from winning the Indianapolis 500 and within sight of the checkered flag when the 23-year-old rookie made the ultimate mistake.
Leading by almost 4 seconds with a lap to go, Hildebrand skidded high into the wall on the final turn, and Dan Wheldon drove past to claim an improbable second Indy 500 win Sunday in his first race of the year.
Read the full story here.
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