Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive Wheldonwas a British racing driver. He was the 2005 IndyCar Series champion and a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, having won the race in 2005 and 2011. Wheldon died from severe head injuries shortly after a collision during the IZOD IndyCar World Championship on 16 October 2011 at the age of 33...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth22 June 1978
best drivers fans great racetrack speak track wait
This track is a challenge, that's best thing I can say about it, and drivers like challenges. I think I speak for all the drivers (in the IRL) when I say we can't wait to come out here. It's a great racetrack and the fans have also been great.
beam bit car cost definitely gamble good hopefully klein race relatively
We didn't get everything we wanted to out of our qualifying run. The Klein Tools/Jim Beam car definitely had a little bit too much understeer and that cost us. It's so competitive out here that you've got to gamble a little bit, but we have a relatively good race car, so hopefully we'll get a good result.
anticipate decided fourth good places race third though
I anticipate a really good race because, even though the championship is decided in my favor, second, third and fourth places are still up for grabs,
amends felt last longer longest next period race season time year
I had a Sonoma race where I was disappointed in the result, ... I wanted to make amends for that. That was the longest period of time I've ever had between races. From the last race of the year to the first race of the next season is a long time. It felt a lot longer than that.
winning self race
The biggest thing for me is the self-satisfaction of winning the race. I don't care about who gets the most attention. I've achieved something that's very special to me.
race two able
The two championship contenders, Dario Franchitti and Will Power, are starting right next to each other in the middle of the grid. Honestly, if I can be fast enough early in the race to be able to get up there and latch onto those two, it will be pure entertainment. It's going to be a pack race, and you never know how that's going to turn out.
jobs team race
But I have to say I'm incredibly proud of the Panther Racing National Guard Team, and in my IndyCar career there's not many races where I've honestly left the track feeling that we've executed everything perfectly. And I have to say, I thought they did an absolute phenomenal job. The pit stops were just first class.
thinking race car
When I think of the pace that I drove my first race, everything was happening a million miles an hour. Now when I get in the car everything happens so much slower.
california fifth fourth good happen obviously positions race third
I think California is going to be a really good race because obviously the championship has been decided, but second, third and fourth are up for grabs. There's going to have to be some big things happen for those positions to change. Then I think you have the fifth through 10th pretty close. I think everybody's going to be going for broke.
came couple deal faith great means panther races relatively repay teammates
I think this championship means a great deal to Kim, ... I came in relatively inexperienced with just a couple of races for Panther under my belt. I soaked info from my teammates and it's great to repay Kim's faith in me with this championship.
races six strong win
To win six races is something I'll look back on and think that was a strong season.
came certainly circumstance community difficult drivers effect everybody family fans letterman obviously prayers pull race thoughts today win
Well, it was a win obviously under very difficult circumstances. I think certainly my thoughts and prayers and everybody here, their thoughts are with the Dana family and everybody at Rahal Letterman Racing. It's very difficult to race under circumstances like this. I think everybody in the community and the fans that came out to Homestead-Miami Speedway today should be commended for the effect that they have on the drivers to pull through under very difficult circumstances.
aggressive car fun quick race record setup truly win
We had an aggressive setup and were very quick in traffic. Once underway, the car was very, very good. This is a fun place to race and win and to take Sam's record is truly special.
races six special strong winning
Winning the Indianapolis 500 was very special to me, ... but winning six races is something I'll look back on and think that was a strong season.