Two time Indianapolis 500 winner British driver, Dan Wheldon was remembered as a champion, loving husband, father and brother during an emotional memorial service for the IndyCar racer this week.
Wheldon, who grew up in Emberton, England, won the Indianapolis 500 twice, including the 100th anniversary race in May this year and the IndyCar Series driver’s crown in 2005.
Wheldon, was killed two weeks ago in a fiery 15 car crash during the opening laps of the IndyCar season’s final race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
IndyCar officials have started an investigation into the cause of the 15-car crash that killed Dan Wheldon with CEO Randy Bernard insisting that officials needed to understand what went wrong before the pile up and fire.
After attending Wheldon’s funeral in Florida last Saturday, many of the IndyCar drivers were back in Indianapolis meeting with IndyCar officials discussing driver safety. Drivers voiced concerns over several factors, including the safety-fencing of the oval tracks and the extreme speeds that produced dangerous “pack” racing.
An evaluation of the Accident Data Recorders (ADR) from all 15 cars involved in the accident, as well as hours of photos and videos, including footage from in-car cameras and safety vehicles will be used to make a factual determination of the circumstances surrounding the incident . The results of the enquiry will be handed to an independent, third-party body for determination.