IndyCar: Why one car was excluded from the Dan Wheldon tribute

13 years ago today, I still remember the heartbreaking loss of Dan Wheldon at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As a racing fan, it feels like just yesterday that we lost one of our greatest champions. It’s a day that is etched in my memory, a day that serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and uncertainties inherent in this sport we all love so much.

13 years ago today, October 16, 2011, a Sunday that should have been marked by celebration and the crowning of an IndyCar champion, unfortunately ended tragically. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon was fatally injured in a 15-car crash during the opening laps of the season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

To certain individuals, it might feel significantly more than just 13 years. On the other hand, some might perceive it as being akin to only 13 months. Your position on this spectrum can change from day to day.

Following my extraction from my car by the trackside safety crew and a helicopter ride to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where sadly, I lost my life, the rest of the race was abruptly ended.

Green!!!!
— Dan Wheldon (@danwheldon) October 16, 2011

Later reports stated that he died on impact.

Instead, in tribute to Wheldon, the racers and their teams opted for a three-abreast, five-lap tribute, mirroring the opening laps of an Indy 500.

This race was the final race for the outgoing Dallara IR-05 chassis, so there were 34 cars entered, more than even the Indy 500 – in fact, more than any IndyCar race since 1997.

15 automobiles were involved in a collision, leaving 19 unscathed vehicles to participate in the honorary procession. The lead role was taken by pole-sitter and race frontrunner Tony Kanaan.

Despite being part of the accident, one of the fifteen cars, the No. 18 Honda driven by James Jakes for Dale Coyne Racing, miraculously sustained minimal damage. This was possible due to a spare front wing it received from KV Racing Technology – Lotus.

That theoretically should have brought the number to 20 cars. However, it was instead kept at 19.

2011 saw Wheldon clinching the Indy 500 victory while piloting the No. 98 Honda, under the auspices of Bryan Herta Autosport. At that point in time, it represented a single race entry; however, by the season finale, circumstances altered.

Just before the final race of the season at Kentucky Speedway, in preparation for the GoDaddy Challenge, Wheldon took over driving duties from Alex Tagliani, who coincidentally had won pole position at Indy 500, in car number 77, which was managed by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

In the 2012 season, Wheldon, who had recently joined Andretti Autosport for a GoDaddy-backed Chevrolet drive, stood to share $5 million with a fortunate spectator if he won the final race from the back of the starting lineup. The twist? The event was named the GoDaddy Challenge.

I eagerly looked forward to the return of the No. 98 Honda for the season finale, and what a thrill it was to see Tagliani at the wheel! On the other hand, Wheldon stayed with Sam Schmidt’s team, which had formed a technical partnership with Bryan Herta’s outfit for the Indy 500.

As the accident happened, when we were 10 laps into the competition, Wheldon had successfully moved up from the 34th position to the 24th position.

As I was cruising in sixth position during the race, disaster struck with a wreck just ahead. This meant that when it came to the five-lap salute, I’d have been on the outside of the second row. Unfortunately, my No. 98 Honda wasn’t able to continue racing, so everyone from seventh place down to 20th, starting with Graham Rahal, got a bit of a boost. Essentially, they each moved up one spot in the lineup due to my car’s early retirement.

The reason the No. 98 car was “excluded” was actually to deepen the meaning of the tribute.

Though it was not the exact same car that Wheldon used at Indianapolis that year, he had driven that car number to his second Indy 500 win back in May, leading only the final lap after race leader J.R. Hildebrand crashed in the final turn.

During this five-lap salute, the scoring pylon only displayed the top position, illuminated by No. 77. Meanwhile, No. 98 car remained motionless, a tribute to Wheldon. The rest of the field concluded the 2011 season in a solemn manner, with “Danny Boy” and “Amazing Grace” echoing through the speakers over the track.

2024-10-16 17:33

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