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| Dan Wheldon, one of Britain's best. |
Tragedy is a word often used in sport to describe heartbreaking moments of sporting drama. However the true meaning of tragedy in sport struck yesterday when Dan Wheldon, one the best British racing driver of his generation was killed at the Las Vegas Indycar race.
In a monumental pile up that included fifteen cars, Wheldon, winner of the legendary Indianapolis 500 twice, came off worst at the end of season race, before he was pronounced dead after being airlifted from the raceway to a nearby hospital.
Whilst Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hold higher profiles back home in the UK and the Formula One circuit, Wheldon's career was based almost solely in America, finishing up at the Bryan Herta Autosport team where he took his second Indianapolis 500 win in 2011.
Wheldon moved to America in 1999 stating that he could not get the investment needed to continue his racing dream. Making an almost instant impact he was voted 'Rookie if the Year' in 2003 and runner up overall the season after after claiming three wins. His big break came in 2005 where he won a record six races on his way to becoming series winner. A mooted move to Formula one never materialised and Wheldon continued in IndyCar, finishing second again in 2006 despite having the same number of points as the winner. Finishing with sixteen wins overall and a popularity that rivalled the very best in the sport, Wheldon was a much loved and well respected driver.
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| The horrific nature of the crash involving 15 cars. |
Jenson Button tweeted "I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90s, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy." Scotland's Dario Franchetti who finished as series winner after the race was abandoned said; "We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn't matter."
Wheldon who had not driven much this season as he had failed to secure a regular team, was invited to race from the back of the grid, chasing a bonus prize of $5 million which he had said would go to a charity should he have won.
Wheldon who was just 33, leaves a wife and two young children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.
