Las Vegas - IndyCar World Championships

[DanicaFan]

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/vegaslogo.jpg


Race 18 of 18

Race - IndyCar World Championships

Location - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Date - Sunday, October 16th - 3:00 PM

Time & TV Schedule - Pre-Race Show - 3:00PM , Green Flag - 3:45PM - ABC

Course Type - 1.5 Mile Oval

Distance - 200 Laps / 300 Miles

Practice Sessions -
Thursday, October 13th - Group 1 - 2:00-3:00PM Eastern / Group 2 - 3:00-4:00PM Eastern
Friday, October 14th - Group 1 -3:30-4:15PM Eastern / Group 2 - 4:15-5:00PM Eastern

Qualifications - Friday, October 14th - 6:00-7:30PM Eastern

*Note - Las Vegas is 3 hours behind Eastern Time.

[DanicaFan]

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/lasvegasmotorspeedway.jpg

[DanicaFan]

Entry List..

Car # & Driver / Team

#2 Oriol Servia / Newman/Haas Racing
#3 Helio Castroneves / Team Penske
#4 JR Hildebrand / Panther Racing
#5 Takuma Sato / KV Racing Technology-Lotus
#6 Ryan Briscoe / Team Penske
#7 Danica Patrick / Andretti Autosport
#8 Paul Tracy / Dragon Racing
#9 Scott Dixon / Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#10 Dario Franchitti / Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#11 Davey Hamilton / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#12 Will Power / Team Penske
#14 Vitor Meira / AJ Foyt Enterprises
#15 Jay Howard / Rahal Letteman Lanigan Racing
#17 Wade Cunningham / AFS-Sam Schmidt Motorsports
#18 James Jakes / Dale Coyne Racing
#19 Alex Lloyd / Dale Coyne Racing
#22 Townsend Bell / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#24 Ana Beatriz / Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
#26 Marco Andretti / Andretti Autosport
#27 Mike Conway / Andretti Autosport
#28 Ryan Hunter-Reay / Andretti Autosport
#30 Pippa Mann / Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
#34 Sebastian Saavedra / Conquest Racing
#38 Graham Rahal / Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing
#44 Buddy Rice / Panther Racing
#57 Tomas Scheckter / Sarah Fisher Racing
#59 EJ Viso / KV Racing Technology - Lotus
#67 Ed Carpenter / Sarah Fisher Racing
#77 Dan Wheldon / Sam Schmidt/BHA With Curb Agajanian
#78 Simona De Silvestro / HVM Racing
#82 Tony Kanaan / KV Racing Technology- Lotus
#83 Charlie Kimball / Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing
#98 Alex Tagliani / BHA with Curb Agajanian-Sam Schmidt
#06 James Hinchcliffe / Newman Haas Racing

* 34 Cars Entered

[DanicaFan]

Pit Lane Assignments..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/vegaspitassignments.jpg

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Thank god the #12 team has the first pit box! Go Will!

[heliocastroneves#3]

What a shame they used an rFactor track for the virtual lap, while they didn't with the previous ones.

Hope Dario takes it again, but won't mind at all if Will gets it.


Can't wait.

[FormerFF]

I'd have thought we'd have heard from DanicaFan about this:

AUTO RACING - INDYCAR: Danica Leads Thursday Practice At Las Vegas (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-danica-leads-thursday-practice-at-las-vegas/)

[SoCalPVguy]

DP turns fastest lap in practice 1.

Last race. I smell "the call".

[gerkebi]

DP turns fastest lap in practice 1.

Last race. I smell "the call".

That was my first thought as well. However, what would be the point other than to draw attention to DP when she's leaving? It would only benefit Nascar. Personally, I hope she does well. All the Andretti cars seem to be fast in practice for whatever reason. And this is her kind of track.

[FormerFF]

That was my first thought as well. However, what would be the point other than to draw attention to DP when she's leaving? It would only benefit Nascar. Personally, I hope she does well. All the Andretti cars seem to be fast in practice for whatever reason. And this is her kind of track.

It's only practice, don't read too much into it. And like you said, Las Vegas is the kind of track where she occasionally does well.

[beachgirl]

I'd have thought we'd have heard from DanicaFan about this:

AUTO RACING - INDYCAR: Danica Leads Thursday Practice At Las Vegas (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-danica-leads-thursday-practice-at-las-vegas/)

She had a huge tow to get that. Running alone she was over 2 mph slower.

[DanicaFan]

Give credit where its due! My girl had the quickest lap in practice. That is awesome. She is on her way to the pole position Friday! Go get em' Danica!

[garyshell]

Give credit where its due! My girl had the quickest lap in practice. That is awesome. She is on her way to the pole position Friday! Go get em' Danica!

If you expect us to "give credit", you have to be willing to state the FACTS. It was the quickest lap with a tow. Hardly predictive of a run on pole. Like always, she will have so much downforce dialed in because she can't drive the car otherwise. I predict she will qualify in the bottom 15.

Gary

[chuck34]

If you expect us to "give credit", you have to be willing to state the FACTS. It was the quickest lap with a tow. Hardly predictive of a run on pole. Like always, she will have so much downforce dialed in because she can't drive the car otherwise. I predict she will qualify in the bottom 15.

Gary

I think you are right about where she will qualify. However, I do think she deserves some credit. It wasn't as if no one else had the ability to get a tow. So if someone had wanted to knock her off the top spot they very well could have.

So I will give her credit for being the fastest in P1. Good job Danica. Now let's see what you can do from here.

[anthonyvop]

That was my first thought as well. However, what would be the point other than to draw attention to DP when she's leaving? It would only benefit Nascar. Personally, I hope she does well. All the Andretti cars seem to be fast in practice for whatever reason. And this is her kind of track.

It will draw attention to this race which IndyCar desperately needs!

[anthonyvop]

Give credit where its due! My girl had the quickest lap in practice. That is awesome. She is on her way to the pole position Friday! Go get em' Danica!

As this is the princess's last real race I post this in your honor!

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/318400_291579870871190_125788830783629_1108824_554 573249_n.jpg

[DanicaFan]

Why thank you Anthony.... Absolute perfection.. :)

[anthonyvop]

Why thank you Anthony.... Absolute perfection.. :)

If you say so.

[chuck34]

Why thank you Anthony.... Absolute perfection.. :)

To each his own I guess. But for me, I don't go for the 13 year old boy look. ;)

[Andrewmcm]

Can we avoid this thread descending into a Hot or Not discussion?

[maximilian]

Can we avoid this thread descending into a Hot or Not discussion?
Indeed. Can we have the starting lineup instead? ;)

[SoCalPVguy]

Car Driver Warm-up Lap 1 Lap 2 AVG Diff.
1 82 Tony Kanaan 217.646 222.034 222.121 222.078 0.0000
2 2 Oriol Servia 217.702 222.052 222.070 222.061 0.0057
3 67 Ed Carpenter 217.410 221.392 221.626 221.509 0.0559
4 98 Alex Tagliani 218.269 221.229 221.431 221.330 0.0780
5 6 Ryan Briscoe 216.400 221.168 221.091 221.130 0.2146
6 26 Marco Andretti 218.245 221.193 221.064 221.129 0.2148
7 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay 214.734 220.924 221.157 221.040 0.2349
8 38 Graham Rahal 216.796 220.937 220.979 220.958 0.2536
9 7 Danica Patrick 216.541 220.787 221.063 220.925 0.2612
10 27 Mike Conway 217.037 220.770 221.073 220.922 0.2619
11 3 Helio Castroneves 218.843 220.790 221.023 220.907 0.2653
12 17 Wade Cunningham 216.699 220.734 220.846 220.790 0.2919
13 9 Scott Dixon 217.000 220.859 220.571 220.715 0.3091
14 06 James Hinchcliffe 215.218 220.705 220.698 220.701 0.3121
15 4 JR Hildebrand 216.157 220.712 220.566 220.639 0.3264
16 5 Takuma Sato 214.123 220.569 220.684 220.627 0.3292
17 12 Will Power 215.170 220.438 220.610 220.524 0.3527
18 10 Dario Franchitti 217.321 220.393 220.585 220.489 0.3606
19 44 Buddy Rice 216.968 220.269 220.515 220.392 0.3828
20 34 Sebastian Saavedra 215.385 220.260 220.410 220.335 0.3958
21 19 Alex Lloyd 215.893 220.324 220.304 220.314 0.4007
22 83 Charlie Kimball 215.694 219.898 220.066 219.982 0.4769
23 22 Townsend Bell 214.967 219.801 220.082 219.942 0.4861
24 57 Tomas Scheckter 214.123 219.774 219.857 219.816 0.5151
25 11 Davey Hamilton 212.467 219.190 219.796 219.493 0.5895
26 14 Vitor Meira 214.652 219.053 219.494 219.273 0.6402
27 8 Paul Tracy 215.583 218.691 218.632 218.661 0.7821
28 15 Jay Howard 214.093 218.287 218.868 218.577 0.8016
29 77 Dan Wheldon 213.511 218.370 218.450 218.410 0.8405
30 30 Pippa Mann 211.904 218.002 218.312 218.157 0.8996
31 24 Ana Beatriz 214.783 217.980 218.327 218.153 0.9005
32 78 Simona de Silvestro 215.057 218.238 218.025 218.132 0.9055

[anthonyvop]

to hell with Danica


Power and Franchitti starting Side By Side

[SoCalPVguy]

She had a huge tow to get that. Running alone she was over 2 mph slower.

You called it BG, qualified 2 mph behind leader

[Dr. Krogshöj]

How is it possible that Wheldon was so slow and Tag was so fast with the same setup on a track with zero driver input in qualifying?

[SoCalPVguy]

Race - IndyCar World Championships

Location - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Date - Sunday, October 16th - 3:00 PM

*Note - Las Vegas is 3 hours behind Eastern Time.

IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE !!!!

Las vegas is NOT 3 hours BEHIND Eastern Time - it is AHEAD of E.T.

The race coverage starts at 12:00 Noon Pacific Daylight Time. (actual race start is 12:45).

That would be 3:00 Pm eastern time, 2-pm central, and 1-pm mountain times.

Ha ha in cases like Hawaii and Arizona that don't do daylight savings time, you are on your own. I think its Noon in AZ and 9Am in HI but always consult you local listings - if you can find it for Versus - to be sure.

[gm99]

IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE !!!!

Las vegas is NOT 3 hours BEHIND Eastern Time - it is AHEAD of E.T.

The race coverage starts at 12:00 Noon Pacific Daylight Time. (actual race start is 12:45).

That would be 3:00 Pm eastern time, 2-pm central, and 1-pm mountain times.


So noon in Vegas is 3 p.m. Eastern - how exactly does this make Vegas AHEAD oF ET?

[SoCalPVguy]

well noon is before 3 ... LOL , ahead or behind,,, who cares, the site race time is 12:45 PDT, adjust your TV schedule as needed

[SoCalPVguy]

we need that 0.8 or else ....

[edv]

to hell with Danica


Power and Franchitti starting Side By Side

Also Hildebrand & Hinch starting next to each other...still a good fight for Rookie honours.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Wallabies didn't make the final, Webber was average as usual, hopefully Will will salvage the weekend for the Aussies. I hope TK or Helio will win and Will will clinch the title.

[F1boat]

I want Dario to win again!!!

[Andrewmcm]

34 cars pack racing at 220mph is asking for trouble....

[gm99]

1996 US 500 all over again...

[Andrewmcm]

Looks like Dan may not be in great shape. Helicopter ambulance fired up.

[Mum]

:( :( :( :mad: :mad:

[Phoenixent]

The covered Dan's car with a tarp... :(

[jwhite9185]

This doesn't look good.

[gm99]

PT said on IMS Radio that Wheldon was in such bad shape when he was brought into the infield care center that they asked all other drivers to leave :(

Let's keep our fingers crossed this turns out okay...

[jwhite9185]

The helicopter has just left

[Phoenixent]

I pray that they are all okay.....

[uncommonsense52]

I really would like to hear that Dan is okay... Penske said the drivers were okay, but Tracy seemed to give a more grim perspective. Penske could have been talking about his drivers only though...

The helicopter is never a good sign though.

[Andrewmcm]

Oh wow, big hole in the catch fence. I'm very worried.

[call_me_andrew]

The covered Dan's car with a tarp... :(

I saw at least two cars with tarps.

Tarps are normally used to preserve cars as crime scenes for a police investigation. And the police only get involved when there's a fatality.

[gm99]

They should just cancel the damn thing. The drivers all look very shaken and in no shape to resume racing side-by-side at 220 mph today. They'll just be risking more accidents. The championship is decided anyway, as is the 5 million $ challenge.

[jwhite9185]

I saw at least two cars with tarps.

Tarps are normally used to preserve cars as crime scenes for a police investigation. And the police only get involved when there's a fatality.

I think the other one was Pippa Mann... and we saw her walk to the ambulance.

[Phoenixent]

I saw at least two cars with tarps.

Tarps are normally used to preserve cars as crime scenes for a police investigation. And the police only get involved when there's a fatality.

Last time I saw that was in 1999... :( I hope it's not the same...

[dcr22B]

Last time I saw that was in 1999... :( I hope it's not the same...That's why I switched it off immediately, too many bad memories of Greg's crash.

[jwhite9185]

Confirmed Wheldon, Mann and Hilderbrand taken to hospital.

[call_me_andrew]

Stay off Wheldon's Wikipedia page. Vandals are sick.

[Andrewmcm]

So Indycar bet $5 million on this race. Let's hope they don't end up losing far more.

[Alfa Fan]

What to do with all those old cars? | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com (http://www.indystar.com/article/20111016/SPORTS0107/110160367/What-do-all-those-old-cars-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|s)

Suddenly this seems like tempting fate..

[uncommonsense52]

That's why I switched it off immediately, too many bad memories of Greg's crash.

Yeah... same here. Didn't turn it off... but Greg came to mind immediately.

[Phoenixent]

All drivers are going into the operations trailer.....

[jwhite9185]

Whatever the outcome of this - Im wondering if they will be back in Vegas next year?

[dcr22B]

Tweet from Ashley Judd, Dario F's wife (for those who don't know):

Thanks everyone for prayers. No update on Dan yet except unconscious but vitals are good. Everyone here very scared. Pray for medical team.

[Alfa Fan]

Is it the track to blame for the accident? Is this an accident that couldn't have happened at Indy or Texas?

[Nikki Katz]

This is really horrible, I hope he's ok but it looked nasty.

I really don't think they should be holding races where the cars regularly go 225mph, from the first lap it just looked like this sort of thing was bound to happen.

[F1boat]

The cars were too many, way too many :(

[call_me_andrew]

Nice crowd today. They're even sticking around too.

Anyone else on the verge of throwing up?

[Allyc85]

Praying for Dan here :(

But some kind of promising news here

Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/AshleyJudd)

[Andrewmcm]

Tweet from Tomas Scheckter:

Walked past something I pray never to see again.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

It's a terrible thing to say but I hope Pippa was crying because of her pain, not because of what she saw.

[jwhite9185]

A lot of the drivers seem to be saying that the track is unsuitable and that something like this was inevitable.

[Nikki Katz]

It's a terrible thing to say but I hope Pippa was crying because of her pain, not because of what she saw.
I imagine it was shock, everything would have happened so quickly and she had a huge accident herself, she was probably unaware at the time of the condition of everything else. I doubt she has inside information on Wheldon.

[Nem14]

Is it the track to blame for the accident? Is this an accident that couldn't have happened at Indy or Texas?No, the track is not to blame, unless you want to blame oval tracks in general.

Accidents can happen anywhere.

If you remember Mike Conway's car got into the catch fence at Indy.

[djparky]

Nice crowd today. They're even sticking around too.

Anyone else on the verge of throwing up?

the size of the crowd is irrelevant frankly- if I'd been there I would have left by now. Unfortunately you could see that crash coming from the green flag- Indy Car shouldn't be racing at that track at all or any of the high banked NASCAR tracks

I can't watch it anymore, so have switched it off- I hope that all the drivers are ultimately ok. Seeing that happen brings back some unpleasant memories

[jwhite9185]

Danica just seen crying. Interview with Michael Andretti, he looked like his mind was elsewhere too.

[Andrewmcm]

Drivers meeting called. Wonder what's cooking?

[dcr22B]

Drivers meeting called. Wonder what's cooking?With so many cars out, I wouldn't run it.

[numanoid]

At the race. Drivers meeting underway and a press conference is about to happen. I think bad news is coming. Some drivers don't want to keep racing.

[RaceCat]

There is no reason to continue this. They have a champion and the fans saw a good weekend of track time until now. Let this be DONE.

[jwhite9185]

At the race. Drivers meeting underway and a press conference is about to happen. I think bad news is coming. Some drivers don't want to keep racing.

I was in the same position in 1999. Remember it being a bad atmosphere at the track.

[numanoid]

Unofficial info is that Wheldon has died.

[F1boat]

RIP :(

[jwhite9185]

Seems theres a lot of sad faces on tv.

[Robinho]

i hope what I'm reading unofficially isn't true, but i fear the worst

[F1boat]

i hope what I'm reading unofficially isn't true, but i fear the worst

+1 :(

[gm99]

Sunny October afternoon.
Championship-deciding race on a high-speed oval.
Dario Franchitti one of two drivers in contention for the title.
Driver with number composed of two same digits starting last involved in heavy crash early in the race.

Let’s hope the similarities with October 31, 1999 end here.

[DazzlaF1]

+2

I hope to god those unofficial reports are BS, I wont believe anything until i've heard official conformation

[DazzlaF1]

+2 :(

I hope to god those unofficial reports are BS, I wont believe anything until i've heard official conformation

[jwhite9185]

Sunny October afternoon.
Championship-deciding race on a high-speed oval.
Dario Franchitti one of two drivers in contention for the title.
Driver with number composed of two same digits starting last involved in heavy crash early in the race.

Let’s hope the similarities with October 31, 1999 end here.

Plus the big build up to the race. Mercedes threw a big party the night before back in 1999.

[RaceCat]

The broadcast team has become more somber. I will NOT believe anything that isn't reported in an Official manner. I choose to believe until told otherwise that he will be ok.

[DazzlaF1]

Ditto

[jwhite9185]

The broadcast team has become more somber. I will NOT believe anything that isn't reported in an Official manner. I choose to believe until told otherwise that he will be ok.

As well as the race crews. They tend to know a bit more about the situation as they can tune the radios to the medical frequencies.

[RaceCat]

My friend Max Papis just tweeted this: I will miss u forever @danwheldon forever.....TEARS! Please tell me he has it wrong!

[jwhite9185]

Drivers out the meeting - all drivers look very upset.

[numanoid]

Drivers out of meeting. Not addressing media.

[RaceCat]

UGH.....this is when I just HATE THIS SPORT!

[MAX_THRUST]

I had planned to go to the race this weekend, was gonna book flights etc. I'm sitting here unable to watch the race as I dont have sky, just logged on to here the live timing. This is so sad. Wish I knew what was going on as do many people. What was the incident?

[jwhite9185]

It official - RIP Dan.

[MAX_THRUST]

He is Dead, Rest in peace DAn wishes to his family...

[RaceCat]

I can't stop crying........
I work in Seal Beach California.....it's been a horrific week. I LOVED DAN. He was the best guy every! RIP amazing man!!! :-(

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I am not a big follower of the IRL but this is a tragic day.

RIP :(

[Andrewmcm]

Rest In Peace Dan.

[gm99]

I can't bear this - it brings back too many memories of Fontana.
Godspeed, Dan Wheldon and condolences to his young family.

[gravelman]

This is horrible, horrible sad news, i remember when Dan was in formula ford and vauxhall, when I was only 12. So sad to hear this, my housemate showed me the video when I came in the door this evening. My thoughts ate with the Wheldon family, his friends and fellow drivers. RIP

[christophulus]

:(

rip

[Phoenixent]

RIP Dan....... :(

I know that you will be racing with the greats up there...

[edv]

This is just awful
No words

[jwhite9185]

Has Dario not been told???

[Nikki Katz]

I feel horrible, RIP Dan and my thoughts to his family :(

I wonder if the series will survive this.

[RaceCat]

I can't stop crying........
I work in Seal Beach California.....it's been a horrific week. I LOVED DAN. He was the best guy every! RIP amazing man!!! :-(

[Ranger]

No words. :'(

[Phoenixent]

I can't stop crying........
I work in Seal Beach California.....it's been a horrific week. I LOVED DAN. He was the best guy every! RIP amazing man!!! :-(

I know what you mean family lost two in Seal Beach... :( This week is just c***.

[djparky]

just heard the news on Sky Sports- RIP Dan Wheldon.

also poor Johnny Mowlem in the Sky Sports studio who was a friend of Dan's completely broke down at the end.

[MrJan]

Don't follow the series at all but just seen this awful news on FB. I vaguely remembered back when Wheldon was still racing in the UK, you knew he was a talented guy but for whatever reason he never quite got the breaks. Moving to the US allowed him to really progress but it's sad that people just don't know his name over here.

But none of that really matters, what matters is that motorsport, and the world, has lost a great guy. RIP Dan Wheldon.

[VkmSpouge]

Terrible crash, absolutely horrific. May Dan rest in peace.

[Alfa Fan]

just heard the news on Sky Sports- RIP Dan Wheldon.

also poor Johnny Mowlem in the Sky Sports studio who was a friend of Dan's completely broke down at the end.

That was extremely uncomfortable viewing. I wish Sky had just cut away, it was very insensitive, although I'm sure its because of the way the program is made (low budget, no-one in executive control as it goes out etc, that meant they didn't.

This is the 3rd IndyCar death I've had to experience, but this one is just truly unbelievable, for it to happen to Dan, three time Indy 500 winner, series champion, becoming a series/broadcast personality. It's just beyond believe.

This is the most stunned I've been since hearing of McRae's helicopter accident. Horrible, just horrible. :(

RIP Dan Wheldon

[djparky]

That was extremely uncomfortable viewing. I wish Sky had just cut away, it was very insensitive, although I'm sure its because of the way the program is made (low budget, no-one in executive control as it goes out etc, that meant they didn't.

This is the 3rd IndyCar death I've had to experience, but this one is just truly unbelievable, for it to happen to Dan, three time Indy 500 winner, series champion, becoming a series/broadcast personality. It's just beyond believe.

This is the most stunned I've been since hearing of McRae's helicopter accident. Horrible, just horrible. :(

RIP Dan Wheldon

There isn't an easy way to handle that kind of scenario- I think they all held it together as best they could. Sadly I can recall Greg Moore's accident at Fontana.

[Phoenixent]

Sunny October afternoon.
Championship-deciding race on a high-speed oval.
Dario Franchitti one of two drivers in contention for the title.
Driver with number composed of two same digits starting last involved in heavy crash early in the race.

Let’s hope the similarities with October 31, 1999 end here.

So sad that this had the same outcome as 1999... :( Like 1999 they were going to announce his new ride after the race....

[Alfa Fan]

What I'd have done (easy to say in hindsight), is delayed returning to the studio and then just had Keith make a brief statement and end the show.

[gm99]

So sad that this had the same outcome as 1999... :( Like 1999 they were going to announce his new ride after the race....

The irony is that according to one of Ashley Judd's tweets members of Greg's family have been in attendance at Vegas. I can't even begin to think how bad it must be for them, with all those memories coming back once again. Of course, it surely is even worse for Dan's family right now.

I have to say though that IndyCar dealt far better with the situation than CART did back in '99 by not continuing the race and instead have the drivers run laps of honor.

[Nem14]

God's speed Dan.

Many have mentioned Greg Moore, but please - lets also remember Tony Renna and Paul Dana too.

[mousti]

What a dramatic night, was almost going to sleep till I saw the report of a crash with involving Dan, though all will come good but ten minutes or so later one of the fastest indycar drivers at this time dramatically died :'(.

It gives me the same feeling like that monday in may when I watched Giro D'Italia and saw the unconscious body of Wouter Weylandt laying on the ground.. :'(

RIP Dan

[IndyCarFan]

In all fairness to CART, IndyCar had a couple of hours while they fixed the track to think things thru. Greg's wreck at Fontana occurred off the track and was cleaned up before he was even airlifted out. There was no damage to the track itself and the clean up was limited to a single car. CART had very little time to think things thru and Greg wasn't pronounced dead until later.



The irony is that according to one of Ashley Judd's tweets members of Greg's family have been in attendance at Vegas. I can't even begin to think how bad it must be for them, with all those memories coming back once again. Of course, it surely is even worse for Dan's family right now.

I have to say though that IndyCar dealt far better with the situation than CART did back in '99 by not continuing the race and instead have the drivers run laps of honor.

[Alexamateo]

just gutted :(

[Nem14]

In all fairness to CART, IndyCar had a couple of hours while they fixed the track to think things thru. Greg's wreck at Fontana occurred off the track and was cleaned up before he was even airlifted out. There was no damage to the track itself and the clean up was limited to a single car. CART had very little time to think things thru and Greg wasn't pronounced dead until later.Absolutely.

The race cars and tracks are very much safer today, but open wheel, open cockpit racing, be it on a road/street course or an oval, is still dangerous.

[nigelred5]

Not much I can say other than I knew someone wasn't making it out of that crash the moment it happened. All I could say was oh my god...

Godbless...

[NickFalzone]

Anyone else feel like, in the spirit of Dan's contributions to the sport, the winning check of 2.5 million should be awarded posthumously to his family?

[Mark in Oshawa]

Rest in Peace Dan. I was going to watch the race on tape when I got home from taking my wife to a live taping of a TV show in Toronto. I come home to the blackberry going off with "did you hear what happened". I just watched the footage of the accident, and I am horrified how out of control that sort of wreck can get. Like the "Big one" you see at Talladega or Daytona in NASCAR, this was one of those deals that collected people like iron filings to a magnet.

Horrible to watch, but it is a possibility on a track like Vegas or Texas. It just is...and at some point, someone might want to consider the reality that on this type of oval, these guys just are too close. It is pack racing, and pack racing is dangerous in an Indy car. It is THAT simple. At Indy, the guys spread out, and the nature of the track actually doesn't collect drivers the way the continuous high banked curves do. It brings home how dangerous this sport STILL is.

I was there for Krosnoff's death in Toronto. I was at home in 99 and crying watching a kid I saw grow before me in F1600 races at Mosport and I was moved to almost quit the sport both times and never did. For whatever reason, I cant shed tears now...I am just numb. It is a sad day, and I pray for Wheldon's family for strength. A shame....a crying shame that this young guy didn't have the career in TV, the time with his family and a normal life past racing. It is a cruel and nasty business.....and I think some tough questions need to be answered. I hate this happened this weekend...the IRL just cannot buy a break with fate and karma....

[Adamfree]

Absolutely agree. That check should be given to Wheldon's family and those two little boys.

[bugeyedgomer]

It is in the form of a 40 year annuity not a lump sum. Check it out and see.

[Chris R]

I have to say, I just watched the tribute on youtube (DVR wasn't set to record Indycar on ABC...)-

While Dave and Robin on Wind Tunnel questioned stopping the race (relative to "the old days") - I think it was appropriate to stop it, at least in this day and age... I also thought the tribute was incredibly moving and was the best thing they could do in the circumstances.....

If you catch Windtunnel, Dave Despian made a very good point at the end....

all very sad...

[booger]

Randy Bernard sent the Indycar Series back to the stone age today. He showed the immaturity that he had in New Hampshire by sending 34 drivers into an unsafe situation that could have led to any of their deaths. He ignored drivers who know that told him the track was unsafe. And ironically the driver that he pushed into the race, HIS CHAMPION was the one to succumb. The whole Vegas event was pushed. He pushed the George family into financially supporting an event in Vegas after Bruton Smith turned him down as a promoter. He pushed the city of Vegas to help promote the event because of his background in successful bull riding events (don't see THAT happening again). He pushed to fill the field with an unsafe number of (34) cars with 50% part time or rookie drivers who could buy rides cheaply because the current cars would become coffee tables after the event. And after the inevitable happened he showed his true colors by not letting the public know that Dan Wheldon had been killed virtually instantly in the crash. Anybody in the stands with binoculars could see that Dan's crash was fatal. The drivers knew. The crowd (what there was) knew. The broadcast staff knew. But somehow they all decided to produce a 3 hour fake death watch, some of the most barbaric television I have ever witnessed. And in the end a "news conference" was staged and a tribute to the fallen warrior was "staged". I'll stop short of saying Randy has blood on his hands. The readers of this site can make their own decisions on that. But I will say that the management of Indycar, Bernard and Barnhardt in particular must go because when a sanctioning body shows little interest in the safety of its participants its time to end the show. It is only blind luck that Dan Wheldon's death is the first to occur on banked ovals in the modern era...there could have been many more...look at Franchitti, Schmidt, Brack, Fittipaldi and countless others who have been in near fatal crashes. Somebody needs to tell Randy that this ain't bull riding anymore and perhaps send him back to whence he came. Indycar is going to die and maybe it should. RIP DAN WHELDON! Brave to the last. And RIP Indycar. Too bad but it is meant to be.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Thoughts and prayers with the Wheldon family. Rest in peace, Dan.

[F1boat]

Maybe my favorite Indy Car driver. Rest in peace... :(

[FIAT1]

R.I.P - Prayers for the Family.

[Bob Riebe]

Randy Bernard sent the Indycar Series back to the stone age today. He showed the immaturity that he had in New Hampshire by sending 34 drivers into an unsafe situation that could have led to any of their deaths. He ignored drivers who know that told him the track was unsafe. And ironically the driver that he pushed into the race, HIS CHAMPION was the one to succumb. The whole Vegas event was pushed. He pushed the George family into financially supporting an event in Vegas after Bruton Smith turned him down as a promoter. He pushed the city of Vegas to help promote the event because of his background in successful bull riding events (don't see THAT happening again). He pushed to fill the field with an unsafe number of (34) cars with 50% part time or rookie drivers who could buy rides cheaply because the current cars would become coffee tables after the event. And after the inevitable happened he showed his true colors by not letting the public know that Dan Wheldon had been killed virtually instantly in the crash. Anybody in the stands with binoculars could see that Dan's crash was fatal. The drivers knew. The crowd (what there was) knew. The broadcast staff knew. But somehow they all decided to produce a 3 hour fake death watch, some of the most barbaric television I have ever witnessed. And in the end a "news conference" was staged and a tribute to the fallen warrior was "staged". I'll stop short of saying Randy has blood on his hands. The readers of this site can make their own decisions on that. But I will say that the management of Indycar, Bernard and Barnhardt in particular must go because when a sanctioning body shows little interest in the safety of its participants its time to end the show. It is only blind luck that Dan Wheldon's death is the first to occur on banked ovals in the modern era...there could have been many more...look at Franchitti, Schmidt, Brack, Fittipaldi and countless others who have been in near fatal crashes. Somebody needs to tell Randy that this ain't bull riding anymore and perhaps send him back to whence he came. Indycar is going to die and maybe it should. RIP DAN WHELDON! Brave to the last. And RIP Indycar. Too bad but it is meant to be.Had a favorite driver been killed in the huge crash at the start of the U.S. 500 in 1996, would there have been such bizzare cries of blame and punishment cast about at Roger Penske and the other heads of CART?

I doubt that very, very much.

I lost my emotional attachement to any driver fifty years ago, when my father told me it was stupid, and if it bothered me that much he would go to no more races with me and I should quit reading and attending events that cause such an irrational reaction.
I thought about it for a while-- finally realizing he was correct.

I have to admit though that Wheldon's death did bring more of a response of--OH that is truly a bit sad-- due to his style and up to this point fortune, in Indy car racing, but that is all.
Bob

P.S.-- I will add here that sometimes the death of a person, one has never met but do to being, through media a communication media, kinda-sorta, part of ones life can, strike an truly, truly, unexpected sour note.
Several years ago the editor of photo magazine which I read for deacades, and was an odd connection to better times for me, passed on.
When I read it, it truly caused a heavy feeling in my chest and true sadness even though I had never met the man.
Life is not fair, those who expect it to be are setting themselves up for a fall.

[Nem14]

I have already expressed my condolences.

The only sure way to prevent injury and death in motor racing - Indy Car, F1, NASCAR, Rally, BTCC, whatever - is to ban motor racing - entirely.

While you're at it, you better ban getting out of bed in the morning too, because there are a lot of ways one can come to harm in this world.

On October 16, 2011, Dan Wheldon had a much greater statistical chance of being killed in a street car while going to/from the racetrack, than he did when he was in his race car during the race.

Everyone has 20-20 hindsight.

From the F1 forum section discussion of F1 running coupes;

There is only one way of reducing the risk properly.

Ban motorsport.

[Anubis]

And after the inevitable happened he showed his true colors by not letting the public know that Dan Wheldon had been killed virtually instantly in the crash. Anybody in the stands with binoculars could see that Dan's crash was fatal. The drivers knew. The crowd (what there was) knew. The broadcast staff knew. But somehow they all decided to produce a 3 hour fake death watch, some of the most barbaric television I have ever witnessed.

I'm not defending Bernard here, as there are questions to be laid at his door regarding this event and indeed others over the season, but the above is not fair. The correct people to make any announcements of a medical nature are the medical team. Having read Steve Olvey's "Rapid Response", in the wake of legal complications surrounding the Gordon Smiley fatality, which WAS declared on site, deaths are no longer declared at the circuit "unless they're decapitated or incinerated". Krosnoff is the example cited, in that he was already dead when the emergency teams got to him and all subsequent "efforts" where essentially theatre, firstly to avoid legal problems and secondly, probably more importantly from a human level, to enable the family to be contacted and assembled and to allow him some dignity. Given the reported cause of death, I suspect the same is sadly true of Wheldon. They could perhaps have announced that he was injuried and receiving treatment, but bear in mind that if Wheldon was obviously beyond help in the medical centre, the medical teams would have to turn their attentions to drivers who could be helped. PR would be the last thing on their minds. That sounds like a brutal thing to say, but if the guy is past saving, the medics have to work with the people they CAN help. This wasn't a one car incident like Moore or Krosnoff, it was one of the biggest crashes the sport has ever witnessed, and even though drivers appeared to walk away, any number could've had back, neck or closed head injuries that posed a serious risk if not diagnosed, so observing them would be the priority. Different era perhaps, but look at Ronnie Peterson. Leaving the TV crews hanging may well have been traumatic to behold, but if you have 14 drivers to care for, any number of whom might have been carrying "hidden" injuries, frankly who cares? They're doctors, not PR people. I'd rather traumatic viewing than more dead drivers.

[Chris R]

Hornet - well done post. I did not watch the event live but I do not know how much more you can ask for in a fundamentally terrible situation. I think everyone has done the best they can under the circumstances.

As Hornet said, just think how grossly unfair it would be if Dan's family heard he had died on ABC before anyone bothered to call them....

[DBell]

I didn't see the race either. We had a family outing last weekend and due to the car trouble our friends had, we got back fairly late Sunday night and went straight to bed. I didn't find out until Monday morning. I'm very sad for Dan and his family. I didn't plan to watch anyway and this is one I'm really glad to have missed. Very upsetting to see what a lot of people feared come true. And I'm also thankful it wasn't much worse. It's amazing it wasn't. I can't get over the irony that it was Dan, of all the drivers, this happened to. With the hoopla of the 5 million bonus and the publicity he was getting for it, it's almost like a bad movie script that he was the one to perish. Someone posted, to the effect, that maybe IndyCar is cursed. I'm not superstitious, but after this, I can't help think that maybe they are.

[Marbles]

If I remember correctly they didn't replay Moore's fatal accident or Zanardi's tragedy during the broadcast. Also, since the mid-nineties, broadcasters would hold off on replays of spectacular collisions until the well being of the parties involved was confirmed. This was in good taste and classy. So once again just another example of ABC\ESPN's poor and tasteless coverage of Indycar. Not only did they replay it several times during the delay when pretty much everyone realized the severity of the accident but the height of their classlessness was reached when Wheldon's death was confirmed and just prior to the honour laps when they replayed the accident again from every angle about a half dozen times. I'm surprised Goodyear wasn't using a telestrator. They should really turf these classless no talent twats once and for all.

I may be alone in this ... maybe it's a different time... but I've really waited and wanted to get this off my chest.

[Mark in Oshawa]

If I remember correctly they didn't replay Moore's fatal accident or Zanardi's tragedy during the broadcast. Also, since the mid-nineties, broadcasters would hold off on replays of spectacular collisions until the well being of the parties involved was confirmed. This was in good taste and classy. So once again just another example of ABC\ESPN's poor and tasteless coverage of Indycar. Not only did they replay it several times during the delay when pretty much everyone realized the severity of the accident but the height of their classlessness was reached when Wheldon's death was confirmed and just prior to the honour laps when they replayed the accident again from every angle about a half dozen times. I'm surprised Goodyear wasn't using a telestrator. They should really turf these classless no talent twats once and for all.

I may be alone in this ... maybe it's a different time... but I've really waited and wanted to get this off my chest.

I am inclined to agree, except the first thing I did was pull up the crash and watch it on tape since I missed the race and heard about the crash on the way home. We all have a curiousity where we want to say "what the hell happened?" and look. ESPN/ABC did a nice tribute to him in the laps of honour; but I do think they beat the wreck to death. It is all in the hands of the director and producers and they can sometimes not see it as we do. They do know that people just tuning in are going to want to know, and yes, they are going to wonder why nothing is going on. I don't think anyone can win in that situation. It is hell for Dan's family and all and I can get that, but I don't know where there is a right answer....

[SarahFan]

Not sure if there is a right or wrong answer...