Remembering Dan Wheldon: The Talent We Never Knew We Had

The world of motor-racing is still in shock following the tragic death of British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon.

Wheldon, who died during the season finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was a figure celebrated in America for his driving abilities, personality and impressionable nature on a country which can be regarded as insular when it comes to accepting foreign racing drivers.

While the real tragedy came on the circuit, there is a feeling that Britain has lost a talented individual it never knew it had.

The British driver, born in Buckinghamshire in 1978, was the 2005 IndyCar series champion and twice winner of the Indianapolis 500, one of the world's most prestigious races.

Wheldon was, in his early career, seen as Jenson Button's biggest rival, finishing second to Button in the 1998 Formula Ford Festival. Upon hearing of his death, Button paid homage to Wheldon, tweeting: 'I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90's, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy…'.

Struggling to find sponsorship to remain racing in Europe, Wheldon switched his attention to America where he quickly rose through the ranks. His break came when IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti was injured in a motorcycle crash and the Andretti Green Racing team selected Wheldon to substitute for a few races, becoming a full time driver when team owner Michael Andretti retired from racing.

Wheldon won the 2003 rookie of the year prize and was runner up in the series the very next season. The year after he went one better, taking the IndyCar title and six victories, including the first of his wins at the Indianapolis
500.

Dan Wheldon had earned a reputation as a great oval racer and he was approached by Formula One teams including BMW Sauber and BAR Honda. Offered the opportunity to test an F1 car for a year and then replace Jacques Villeneuve, Dan Wheldon instead chose to stick with racing in America.

Switching teams to the then struggling Chip Ganassi Racing, he was tied on points for the IndyCar championship in 2006 with Sam Hornish Junior, only being denied the title as Hornish Jr. won two more races than Wheldon. That year though he found success outside of IndyCar, winning the 2006 Daytona 24 Hour event along with Scott Dixon and Casey Mears.

In 2011 Wheldon found himself without a drive, having lost his Panther Racing seat to the young J.R. Hildebrand. However a one-off deal to drive for Bryan Herta in the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 left a surprised Wheldon collecting the $2.5 million cheque and drinking the customary milk given to the winner of America's most famous open wheel race, after Hildebrand, the man who replaced him, lost control of his car while leading the race at the final corner. It would be the last of Wheldon's sixteen IndyCar victories.

Throughout 2011, Dan Wheldon was the development driver for Dallara, where he was responsible for testing the new 2012 safety cell based car which all teams will use from now on.

Heading into the Las Vegas race, he was offered a drive by the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team, and given the chance at a $5 million prize if he could win the race starting from the back of the 34 car grid. It was during the twelfth lap of this race that he was involved in a horrific fifteen car accident.

Wheldon was airlifted to hospital, but soon died from his injuries. The race was not restarted and the drivers, including newly crowned IndyCar Champion Dario Franchitti, performed a five-lap salute in his honour.

He is survived by his wife Susie and two sons.

By Simon Boyce. Simon Boyce is a motorsport enthusiast and freelance writer. You can follow Simon on Twitter: @BoyceF1.

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