Fallen Racing Heroes: Dan Wheldon "Lionheart"

Dan Wheldon: Lionheart

LIONHEART  Anyone who has met Dan Wheldon understands why he is called "Lionheart" and why he was one of racing's most loved drivers.  He touched the hearts of everyone he made contact with, going out of his way to pose for another pic or sign an autograph for a young fan, even donating his race winnings to charities.  Last October we lost a great ambassador to the sport of INDYCAR and a friend to all of us.  Let's look back and see what made him the driver and the man he was...

Humble beginnings... In Emberton, England 1978 a STAR is born. Dan started his racing career at the fresh age of four in his home of England, beginning with karting and showing promise racing with another future racing champion, Jensen Button (Formula 1).

                                                      A Bright eyed young Dan in his karting days...


Coming to America  After competing in the Formula Vauxhall Junior series (just losing the championship to Jenson Button), and Formula Ford series, he had to find another way to keep his racing career on track.  Dan traveled "across the pond" and tried his skills at American open wheel racing in the US F2000 (won Championship), Toyota Atlantic series (2nd overall) and then Firestone Indy Lights (2nd overall), showing success in each and eventually working his way to the pinnacle of racing... The IndyCar series.

A STAR ON THE RISE  In 2002 Dan climbed into an Indy Car with Panther Racing for 2 races. The next season he took over for Michael Andretti after his retirement, eventually receiving the honor as Rookie of the Year, showing that he was a star brightening for all to notice... and he would make sure everyone indeed noticed him.  In 2004 he recorded his first win at Twin Ring Motegi and came in second in championship points to his close friend Tony Kanaan, the season after He won 6 races (IndyCar modern record) including that years Indianapolis 500 and was the series Champion.  Dan Wheldon had finally made it.

He had further success through the next few years, in 2006 venturing into the Rolex Sports car series with Chip Ganassi and winning 24 Hours of Daytona. He couldn't be held down from winning and doing what he loved.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD In 2008, Dan married the love of his life Susie and in February 2009 Dan and Susie witnessed the birth of their first son, Sebastian (Maybe another future Star) and in March, 2011 Oliver Wheldon was born. He also was testing the future chassis of IndyCar.  He was as happy as could be on and off the track.  Never have I heard or seen a driver appreciate his fans and his life like Dan did during his years in IndyCar.  
 

   Dan signing me an autograph in 2010














May 29, 2011 95th Indianapolis 500   Thousands of fans gathered at Indy like they do every year, warm, sunny, and 33 cars take to the track... The "greatest spectacle in racing" turned exactly into that.  With fuel strategy, hard driving, circumstance and the races final laps winding down, no one knew who would win.  With a one lap to go J.R. Hildebrand was at point with Wheldon behind.  "The leader hit the wall! go! go!" Dan comes down the straight and passes J.R. for a win in the 100th anniversary of the biggest race in the world.  We witnessed history, and he lived it.

(Dan with wife Susie and sons Sebastian and Oliver beside the Borg Warner Trophy in Indy)

October 16, 2011... Las Vegas.  A historical phrase "A day that would live in infamy..." could only describe the events that were to take place.  We were all excited about the days events and who would win the championship. Will Power and Dario Franchitti were close in points and Dan was racing for 5 million dollars to share with a fan.  Lap 12, a horrific crash in turn 2, 15 cars flipping spinning and some ablaze.  We've seen wrecks before, but this one was different. All drivers got out of their cars, except Dan.  They took him to the infield care center, then flew him to the ER.  We waited, and waited and waited...  The news was heart breaking, race fans were crushed when Randy Bernard and IndyCar announced Dans passing.  IndyCar and racing changed that day.

The 5 lap tribute in honor of Dan Wheldon (break out the tissues)

                                          Looking forward and the LEGACY of Lionheart 
        Someone once said, "A star that shines twice as bright, lives half as long" and Dans star burned bright as the sun.  We should all strive to be as warm and full of life as him.  As we look forward to the future of the sport of racing and IndyCar, we will have a car that is safer, hopefully tracks that are safer, and a racing fan community that is second to none.  Though we will put behind us the event of Dan's passing, we will never forget what joy and fun he brought to all of us that met, watched, and cheered for him and appreciate the work he did to make our sport and the new car (dubbed the DW12 in honor of Dan) better for future drivers.  Thank you Dan. 

                                              (Daniel Clive Wheldon June 22, 1978-October 16, 2011)

Fallen Racing Heroes: Adam Petty

The FUTURE.  That's what Adam Petty was for his family's racing legacy.  He had the determination of his grandfather Richard, and the personality and charisma of his father Kyle.  At the age of 18 he competed in the ARCA racing series and scored his first win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1998.  It seemed like racing fans were all excited that another generation of the family was going to take the helm as a premier driver in NASCAR, and bring the Petty's another championship down the road.

 Adam in Victory Lane after his ARCA win at Charlotte. (left to right:Richard, Adam, and Kyle Petty)












Adam drove full-time in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1999 with the number 45 car keeping in tradition of the family numerical order (#42 Lee,#43 Richard, #44 Kyle, #45 Adam) and showing promise with a sixth place finish at Daytona and occasional top-tens. on April 2, 2000 Adam qualified in his first Winston Cup race (now Sprint Cup) on his first attempt, qualifying 33rd at Texas.  Unfortunately his engine gave way in his Cup debut race ending in a 40th place finish. 

TRAGEDY.  During practice for the Busch Series event in New Hampshire, Adam's car lost control in turn three colliding with the wall head on... This being before the mandate of head and neck restraints, his collison was fatal.  The NASCAR community and race fans alike mourned for the loss of what was thought to be a bright and talented young driver and the future of the sport. 

After his passing, father Kyle took over the number 45 car and made that his number in the Cup series as well to honor his son, one of the few numbers that in my opinion should be retired from use in the two top NASCAR series to pay tribute.

VICTORY.  As sad and tragic as death of a loved one is, this one brought new hope and happiness to others from the idea of Adam's parents Kyle and Patti.  In 2004 The Victory Junction Camp www.victoryjunction.org/ was opened in Randleman, NC in Adam's memory, as a place for children with life threatening illnesses and disabilities to take part in fun activities, and enjoy living life to the fullest.  Another example of how in dismal times faith from the human spirit can bring a silver lining to the hearts of children, fans, and his family.

So in the grand scheme of things, with a loss comes a gain.  The loss of Adam turned into the gain of children's hope and faith in life, giving them and their families the strength and courage to carry on and move forward.  Thank you to Adam and the entire Petty family for your inspiration to others.

                                                                 (Adam Kyler Petty: July 10, 1980-May 12, 2000)

Fallen Racing Heroes:Jim Clark

The golden era of racing, racers like AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Sir Jackie Stewart... and Jim Clark. Downforce?  Weight jacking?  Flappy paddle shifting?  These drivers had none of those luxuries, and Jim Clark was a prime example of raw, unassisted driving abilities on loan from God.  No disrespect to racers now of course, but racing during the 50's, 60's, and 70's took a great deal of grit and some "superior attachments" as David Hobbs would put it. The risk of danger was greater than ever.

Jim and his crew with a BEAUTIFUL Lotus 38 at Indianapolis in 1965. (look familiar?)











Jim Clark was born in 1936 in Scotland, and as we know, Scots are fast behind the wheel.  He ran in Formula 1 (2 Championships, 25 wins), Indycar, and even the "Tin Tops" (Nascar) in his magnificent career.  At Indianapolis he saw great success posting 2 runner up finishes, then in 1965 he qualified on the front row and led all but ten laps utterly OWNING the field on his way to a win, adding yet another accomplishment to his resume'.  Unfortunately all brilliant careers come to an end, and few very tragically.

1968 in Hockenheimring, Germany on the fifth lap of heat one of the event, his Lotus veered off the track and into the trees fatally injuring Jim.  After his death his father told American racer Dan Gurney, that he was the only driver that Jim feared...  Never was there such a compliment that made you feel such great pride, and sorrow at the same time.  If he had lived on who knows how much more he would have given the racing world. 


An example of his unmatched driving performance.


So again we salute another driving hero that made a massive impact on automobile racing... Mr. Jimmy Clark.

                                                                          Jim Clark: March 4, 1936-April7, 1968

Fallen Racing Heroes: Scott Brayton

It's around 1989-1990 (age 4-5) That age when you really start understanding things and still remember when you get older, the age I started loving Indy Cars.  Scott Brayton was my favorite.  Was it the bright pink and blue car he drove, his skill, or his great personality?  For whatever reason, he stood out amongst the drivers, and when racing my little MATCHBOX Indycars around the oval shaped rug, Scott seemed to always win (He ran great on carpet surfaced tracks).

 Scott Brayton in his Amway Lola-Cosworth driving for Dick Simon Racing. 

He set the 1 Lap record at Indianapolis in 1985, and as years went on he posted many Top-10s for Dick Simon Racing, and a career best 3rd at Milwaukee in '92 never quite getting to Victory lane.  In 1994 he signed with Team Menard to specifically run at Indy getting the pole in 1995-96.  Unfortunately On may 17, 1996 during practice for Indy, his rear tire blew going into turn 2 causing a spin, colliding with the wall and tragically killing him.   It was heartbreaking seeing your hero perish, and when success was so close for him.  Following his death, a trophy is given every year to the driver who best shows the attitude, spirit, and personal competitive drive as he did.  He was my inspiration for loving this GREAT SPORT.  May he never be forgotten and always be remembered for for what he gave to the fans. Thanks Scott. 

Scott Brayton: February 20, 1959-May 17, 1996