F1 Car Racer Dan Wheldon Dies in Horrific Accident

        It has been a sad week for Formula One racing. On Sunday, a race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, that was supposed to end the season, turned into a fiery explosion, as a 15 car pileup erupted on the track. Wheldon was in the back as the crash occurred. As Wheldon was being airlifted to the hospital he passed away at the age of 33. The race was put on hold after the crash and once the news that Wheldon had passed was heard, the drivers drove five laps in honor of Wheldon. Wheldon died of blunt head trauma.

Photograph: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Dan Wheldon after winning the 2011 Indy 500

        Wheldon was one of the most successful drivers in formula one racing. He won the Indy 500, the most important race in F1, twice. Dario Franchitti, another F1 driver, said "I lost, we lost, a good friend. Everybody in the IndyCar series considered him a friend. He was such a good guy. He was a charmer."
        This has some people wondering if the oval tracks are safe to use. Even NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson said "Those cars are going so fast and get airborne frequently, I wouldn't run them on ovals." The oval tracks have sharper turns and could create more room for error. Either way, it is a sad week for sports in general.


To learn more about Wheldon and the crash, click here.

By Taco (Myka)