Fast and Dangerous – BBC TopGear Australia

The season-ending oval race for the Izod IndyCar championship has ended in tragedy, with a ferocious crash taking out 15 cars and killing defending Indy 500 winner, Englishman Dan Wheldon.

The accident started in the midfield pack early in the event, with two IndyCar rookies making contact before spinning in front of the pack. Wheldon’s car flew some 100m before smashing into the side fencing. The race was red-flagged immediately. Wheldon was airlifted to hospital, but was declared dead upon arrival.

Photo tribute to Dan Wheldon

The race was immediately red-flagged and subsequently abandoned.  Scot driver Dario Franchitti, by dint of leading the championship coming into the Las Vegas race, claimed the 2011 title; even if the race restarted, his only challenger for the title, Will Power, was caught up in the crash.

“I’m numb,” he told media. “I was thinking about Dan [as he drove the five-lap salute after the tragic news was announced] and all stories and all the fun times we had. It’s just really, really sad. It’s the ugly side of our sport.”

The 33-year-old Brit had made a career for himself in American open-wheel racing after turning down a Formula One seat, winning the prestigious Indy 500 race in 2005 and 2011. He tied for a Indycar championship series win in 2006 with American driver Sam Hornish Jr, only to lose the title on countback. He also won the prestigious Daytona 24 Hour race that year.

Wheldon was due to race next weekend at the V8 Supercar Gold Coast 600 with the Holden Racing Team, partnering long-time friend James Courtney.

He is survived by his wife and two young sons.