by | October 16, 2011 · 5:30 pm
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Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

Dan Wheldon after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500

We lost Dan Wheldon today in a tragic racing accident at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

May God bless his soul and may God be with all of his family, friends, and fellow racers.

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6 responses to “Dan Wheldon 1978-2011”

  1. Melissa
    October 16, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    I don’t follow racing … but saw this tragedy today. From what I have read, this was a tragic loss for everyone. What a great man and a tremendous husband and father. Prayers go out to his wife and the young sons that he left behind. I know he will be greatly missed.

    Reply
    • Gary P
      October 16, 2011 at 10:06 pm

      Dan Wheldon was truly one of the good guys. He represents everything that is good and great about the sport of auto racing. A true champion. He will be sorely missed.

      One of the things Dan was working on was the new 2012 Indy Car safety improvements. His efforts will certainly save lives.

      Reply
  2. Joy
    October 17, 2011 at 2:58 am

    Couldn’t believe the horrific crash & pile up and loss of this champion’s life!! You who are so engaged in/with this sport must be feeling it pretty keenly. Prayers to his family – what a shocker! He had the whole world of racing and championship in his hand, but I guess God had other plans…

    Gary, you’ve often referred to NASCAR, Indy and racing, etc., about which you’re obviously very well informed. Were you a racing professional or worked in any way in/with this sport? I’ve always been curious!

    Reply
    • Gary P
      October 17, 2011 at 3:58 pm

      Yes, quite sad. Just no other way to describe it. Dan Wheldon was one of the very best.

      I literally grew up at the drag strip here. I raced motorcycles. Mostly around Texas, but I did race some national events as well. I’ve held 7 International Drag Bike Association world records in several sportsman classes, and won a couple events, including the AHRA Nationals in San Antonio. I did very well locally, and won a track championship.

      I also announced events for years. Racing and hot rods have always been a big part of my life.

      Reply
      • Joy
        October 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm

        Thanks much, Gary – you’ve certainly had a wonderful (and exciting!) life in motor racing!! I’m totally out of it (don’t know a damn thing about it!), but my late husband could watch NASCAR all afternoon – and I know would love to have shared that with you! If I said that, for me, it was like watching grass grow or paint dry, would that destroy our cyber & political friendship? (Lol….)

      • Gary P
        October 18, 2011 at 5:34 pm

        Nah, that’s why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream!

        I’ve been very blessed.

        I grew up around cars and worked my entire life with cars. I really was never all that big of a NASCAR fan back in the day. It was a regional sport for most of my life. Drag racing, and open wheel racing like Indy cars and sprint cars was my ting. That was truly national racing.

        I’ve come to enjoy NASCAR and the racing, but drag racing is still my sport. Of course, you have to really be at the track to experience it all. Like football you can watch NASCAR on TV and have an enjoyable experience. I watch the drags on TV because I can’t physically attend every event, but TV doesn’t do the sport justice. The raw power just doesn’t come through!

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