Briton Dan Wheldon dies in IndyCar race in Las Vegas R.I.P.

Wheldon won the IndyCar series in 2005

British driver Dan Wheldon has died following an accident at the Las Vegas Indy 300.

Buckinghamshire-born Wheldon, 33, was one of 15 cars involved in a crash at the second corner on lap 13 of the series' season-ending race.

The aftermath of the crash at the Las Vegas circuit

Wheldon, who began IndyCar racing in 2002, was the series champion in 2005 and won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.

IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

WHELDON PROFILE

Continue reading the main story

• Born: 22 June 1978
• IndyCar wins: 16
• IndyCar champion: 2005
• Indy 500: 2005 & 2011

Wheldon was airlifted to the nearby University Medical Center where he was joined by his family - including his wife and two sons - but his death was announced to his fellow drivers in a meeting at the track.

It was the first IndyCar fatality since 2006 when Paul Dana was killed during the warm-up for the season-opening Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Bernard added: "The IndyCar drivers and owners have decided to end the race in honour of Dan Wheldon and the drivers will take part in a five-lap salute."

When drivers returned to the track, Wheldon's 77 was the only number on the scoreboard.

The song Danny Boy was played followed by Amazing Grace as the teams' crew and mechanics stood around the track.

The drivers go out on a five lap parade in honor of Dan Wheldon     

The Briton had failed to secure a ride this season after he was replaced by JR Hildebrand at Panther Racing.

Despite that, Wheldon put together a deal for the Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport, a race he won after Hildebrand crashed going into the final turn.

Continue reading the main story

The debris we all had to drive through the lap later, it looked like a war scene from Terminator or something

IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe

He took up IndyCar chief Bernard's offer to pay $5m (£3.1m) if any non-regular series driver entered and won the season finale at Las Vegas.

There were 34 cars entered in the season finale - one more entry than at the Indianapolis 500 at the bigger Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Earlier in the week, drivers had voiced concerns about the high speeds of close to 225 miles per hour being reached at the track during practice.

"I'll tell you, I've never seen anything like it," said driver Ryan Briscoe.

"The debris we all had to drive through the lap later, it looked like a war scene from Terminator or something. I mean, there were just pieces of metal and car on fire in the middle of the track with no car attached to it and just debris everywhere."

Scot Dario Franchitti secured his third straight series crown and fourth overall when rival Will Power's car was a victim of the crash.

From BBC Sport