I don't know how many watched it, I started watching the Indy Car race from Las Vegas today. Not to far into the race there was a horrendous wreck, cars flying everywhere, cars on fire, debris flying everywhere, fifteen cars were involved. There was an hour or so delay, I had to leave to pick Marilyn up, got home in time to hear that one driver was killed. The race was go be cancelled. The remaining drivers would do five laps, in a tribute to Dan Wheldon, the popular, two-time Indy 500 winner.
All of the remaining crews, owners and spectators stood silently, heads bowed, as the cars slowly rounded the track. Amazing grace was playing in the background. I must admit, I teared up, it was about as emotional a sports related moment that I can remember.
I don't know how the drivers did it with tears in their eyes.
Years ago I was an avid fan and spent a lot of time at the old Funks Speedway in Dayton, Ohio. That was the days of open wheels, leather crash helmets, not too many precautions. I saw a popular local driver, "Grandpappy" Booker, killed in a wreck, on the back stretch in site of all, his car flipped and there wasn't much doubt about the outcome. I was there for another fatal wreck, he was a popular driver, not sure of his name, so won't mention one, that could be wrong. There were often deaths in those days, they were just a part of the sport.
"LAS VEGAS -- Dan Wheldon, who moved to the United States from his native England with hopes of winning the Indianapolis 500 and went on to prevail at his sport's most famed race twice, died Sunday after a massive, fiery wreck at the Las Vegas Indy 300.
He was 33.
Wheldon, who won the Indy 500 for the second time this May, won 16 times in his IndyCar career and was the series champion in 2005. He was airlifted from the Las Vegas track at 1:19 p.m. local time Sunday and taken to a nearby hospital, becoming the first IndyCar driver to die on the track since rookie Paul Dana was killed in practice on the morning of race day at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2006.
As word began to spread that his injuries were fatal, those at the track could not control their tears. Television cameras captured Ashley Judd, the wife of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, dabbing at her eyes shortly before the official word came.
The remainder of the race was canceled. Drivers solemnly returned to the track for a five-lap tribute to Wheldon, almost all of them hiding their eyes behind dark sunglasses after being told their colleague was gone. As Roger Penske met with his team trackside and other drivers simply hugged those around them, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard made the announcement of Wheldon's death.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today," Bernard said.
When drivers returned to the track, Wheldon's No. 77 was the only one on the towering scoreboard. Franchitti sobbed uncontrollably as he got back into his car for the tribute laps. Over speakers at the track, the song "Danny Boy" blared, followed by "Amazing Grace" as hundreds of crew workers from each team stood solemnly.
"WOW, it really got to me."
