An autopsy conducted by Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy on 17 October determined that Wheldon died of a blunt force trauma to his head. He was the fifth Indianapolis 500 winner to die in a racing accident in the same year as winning the race, and the first repeat winner to do so.
Who started the Dan Wheldon crash?
Contact between the cars of James Hinchcliffe and Wade Cunningham triggered the chain-reaction crash, which sent four cars airborne, including Wheldon’s.
What caused Dan Wheldon crash?
Wheldon was running low on the track in the No. 77 car at 224 mph in 24th position. A chain reaction began and Wheldon’s car was basically blocked. Wheldon suffered two head injuries; one would have been survivable, but the fatal blow was caused by a fencing pole that intruded into the car’s cockpit.
What happened to Dan Wheldon race car driver?
IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon was killed during a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 16, 2011. “There are still some deep wounds there,” said his widow, Susie Wheldon. It happened 10 years ago this weekend, but the death of Dan Wheldon in a race car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a dark cloud that still lingers.
What IndyCar driver just died?
Race car driver Al Unser, who died Thursday, was one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 a record four times. Al Unser, one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 a record four times, died Thursday following a long illness. He was 82.
What injuries did Dan Wheldon suffer?
Findings: Dan Wheldon’s head hit post
16 during the series’ season finale when his car sailed 325 feet through the air into a catchfence, and his head hit a post in the fence. The blow created a “non-survivable injury.”
How many people have died in Nascar?
The NASCAR Cup Series has seen 28 driver fatalities, the most recent of which occurred on February 18, 2001, when Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Safety in the sport has evolved through the decades.
What tragedy happened in IndyCar racing?
The IndyCar Chevrolet Grand Prix of Detroit was stopped for more than an hour Saturday after 28 of 70 laps because of a violent crash for Felix Rosenqvist in Turn 6. Safety workers needed about 10 minutes to extricate the Arrow McLaren SP driver, whose No. 7 Dallara-Chevrolet had a mechanical failure entering the turn.
Who won the 1979 Indy 500?
Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |
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Indianapolis 500 | |
Winner | Rick Mears |
Winning team | Penske Racing |
Average speed | 158.899 mph (255.723 km/h) |
What car was Dan Wheldon?
At the age of 33, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon passed away tragically following a 15-car accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the season finale nine years ago today.
Where is Dan Wheldon buried?
Original Name | Daniel Clive |
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Birth | 22 Jun 1978 Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Borough, Buckinghamshire, England |
Death | 16 Oct 2011 (aged 33) Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA |
Burial | Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, USA |
Memorial ID | 78554652 · View Source |
What car number was Dan Wheldon?
Wheldon had piloted that #98 Honda across the yard of bricks just four and a half months prior to become a two-time Indy 500 winner after race leader J.R. Hildebrand hit the wall in turn four, allowing Wheldon to become just the second driver to ever win the race on a last-lap pass and the first to lead only lap 200.
What famous race car driver died yesterday?
NASCAR issued a statement Sunday afternoon: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former driver and owner Eric McClure. NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Eric’s family and friends.”
Has anybody ever won the Indianapolis 500 5 times?
Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987) Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991)
What retired NASCAR driver died recently?
Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was shot to death Saturday evening in Athens, Ga., according to Athens-Clarke County police. Townley, 31, was killed during an altercation involving a woman reported to be his ex-wife, Laura Townley, and another man, Zachary Anderson, with whom she was said to share a residence.
How many Indy drivers have died?
The following is a list of 73 individuals killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 42 drivers, one motorcyclist, 13 riding mechanics, and 17 others including a pit crew member, track personnel, and spectators.
When was the last death in IndyCar racing?
The last IndyCar driver to die from an on-track incident was Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon, who was killed in the 2011 season finale at Las Vegas after his head hit a post in the fence when his car went airborne.
What were Dale Earnhardt’s last words?
Eventually, NASCAR president Mike Helton arrived at the media centre and addressed the crowd. It was a short statement, but I will never forget his last words: “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.” I remember vividly the stunned silence of the room and the way Helton’s voice cracked as he spoke.
What NASCAR driver died 2020?
Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was shot and killed Saturday night after an altercation. Townley was 31. A press release from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department stated that police responded to a shooting at 8:44 p.m. ET Saturday night.
What NASCAR driver died at Pocono?
Tragedy overshadowed the 39th annual Sunoco Race of Champions for Asphalt Modifieds Sunday as Don Pratt of Lima was killed in an accident during the race at Pocono International Speedway in Long Pond, Pa. Initial reports are that Pratt hit the first turn wall on lap 78 of the 250-lap race.
What racetrack has the most deaths?
- Le Mans. …
- Daytona International Speedway. …
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza. …
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway. …
- The Paris-Dakar Rally. …
- Nurburgring Nordschilfe. …
- Isle of Man TT. And the crown for the most dangerous racetrack in the world goes to the Isle of Man TT. …
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Who refused the milk at the Indy 500?
Local hero Ed Carpenter, and Simona DeSilvestro, wrote buttermilk on their form, but the funniest choice has to be Juan Pablo Montoya, who has asked for chocolate milk if he wins. No Skim Milk at the 2021 #Indy500.
What happened AJ Foyt?
A. J. Foyt | |
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Last entry | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
What is Felix Rosenqvist condition?
On Lap 25 of Race 1 Saturday, Rosenqvist suffered what the team deemed “a singular, non-recurrent mechanical fault” unrelated to driver error or anything related to Chevy systems and software — including the throttle system.
How many races did Rick Mears?
Rick Mears | |
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Awards | 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991 Indianapolis 500 Winner |
Champ Car career | |
179 races run over 14 years | |
Years active | 1979–1992 |
How old is Castroneves?
The 46-year-old now stands side-by-side with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears, his former mentor at Team Penske, as the only four-time winners of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
What are Indy cars called?
IndyCar name
The term “Indy Car” began as a nickname for the cars that competed in USAC’s “Championship” division of open-wheel auto racing in the United States, deriving from the sport’s most popular competition, the Indianapolis 500.
What happened Tony Renna?
During an October 2003 tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Renna was killed instantly in a collision with a retaining fence. … He was the first driver to be killed in an accident in the IRL since Scott Brayton died at the 1996 Indianapolis 500.