I've never heard of Dan Wheldon before today but my FB is flying with RIP messages for Dan Wheldon.

http://usanewstribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Dan-Wheldon.jpg

I googled him and found out he had taken a $5 million challenge to start last and finish first. If he succeeded he would've won 2.5 mil and a fan would've taken home the other half of the prize money. 

Seems he got to about the 24th place when there was an accident in front of him. He was not able to avoid the collision and his vehicle flew into the air.

I don't follow racing but this is a tragedy indeed...



News report and video of the crash

I never heard of him either. Horrific crash! It was hard to watch.  :(

I follow IndyCar somewhat and was watching this race when the crash happened. Dan Wheldon, who was from England, was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (including this year) and was well-liked by fans and competitors alike. When news of his death was announced, it was decided that the rest of the race would be cancelled and the remaining drivers circled the track 5 times in honor of Wheldon.

It was truly a sad day for motorsports and Dan Wheldon will be missed.   :\'(

I follow IndyCar somewhat and was watching this race when the crash happened. Dan Wheldon, who was from England, was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (including this year) and was well-liked by fans and competitors alike. When news of his death was announced, it was decided that the rest of the race would be cancelled and the remaining drivers circled the track 5 times in honor of Wheldon.

It was truly a sad day for motorsports and Dan Wheldon will be missed.   :\'(



I meant to say he won the Indy 500 twice but I forgot. I've read so much about him in the last 30 mins I feel like I knew him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKHtVtG59A





Dan

This even made the Dutch news broadcasts, although IndyCar/NASCAR racing isn't popular here at all.

There was a time (not too long ago) when I was able to follow IndyCar racing, and that is why I have heard of Dan Wheldon. This is a sad day for racing, and my heart goes out to all of those affected.  :(

RIP Dan Wheldon  :(

I hadn't heard of him either until seeing this on the TV news this morning. The crash was horrible! :\'( My thoughts go out to his family.

So sad.

Sir Jackie Stewart has questioned the safety of IndyCar racing following the death of Briton Dan Wheldon at the Las Vegas Indy 300 yesterday. Stewart, who won three Formula One championships, believes there are too many cars competing at too high speeds in IndyCar and certain problems need to be addressed. Stewart said: "I don't think you can stand still for safety. There's always an improvement to be made."

This was really sad when I heard as this guy is the same age as me ! RIP dan Wheldon.......

The funeral of Dan Wheldon will take place on Saturday in his adopted home town of St Petersburg, Florida, where he lived with his wife and two young children.