TRAGEDY HITS THE RACING COMMUNITY AFTER THE LOSS OF INDIANAPOLIS 500 CHAMPION DAN WHELDON

October 17th, 2011

This is so hard to believe it just seems like a very, very bad dream.   I have been a racing fan as far back as I can remember.   I have seen the triumph and celebration of this sport we so dearly love, but once again have witnessed the tragedy that also looms over every turn the drivers dive into at every race.  The one thing that draws us to the sport…the daring and that element of danger that makes Indy Car racing so incredibly exciting has once again taken a great driver and truly good person from us. We just get so use to the drivers getting it right every time and never really think about what could happen if something does go so terribly wrong and an accident occurs. These guys and gals are very special people…really modern day gladiators….who every race cheat death. I have seen some of the most ferocious accidents over the years and was a little boy in 1973 and vividly remember the pain of losing my favorite driver Swede Savage. I never again had a favorite driver.  

Dan Wheldon is gone…This is just so hard to realize I can’t seem to get my mind wrapped around such a tragic loss. The racing community has been shaken to it’s absolute core of losing one of it’s greatest racing drivers, but even more for losing someone as genuine and sincere a person as Dan Wheldon. He loved racing…the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the fans he was always so gracious and happy to reach out to and connect with. Dan truly was a great ambassador to the Indy Car Series….a true champion on and off the track and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts go out to Dan’s family and hope through the love of family, friends and all of Dan’s fan’s throughout the world you are able to find peace that will help you through this incredibly difficult time.
 
John Edwards
“500 LEGENDS”