Tag: Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon Dies, Racing Community Pays Respects on Twitter

As you may know, IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon died after a huge crash in a Las Vegas race on Sunday. His death has been considered a huge blow to sports, and obviously an all around tragedy. Many of his peers have been vocal on the web in their expression of condolences and admiration for the man.

In another article, we looked at the statement released by race sponsor GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons.

Race car driver and “GoDaddy Girl” Danica Patrick also made some statements on the social networks. From Twitter:

@DanicaPatrick
Danica PatrickThere are no words for today. Myself and so many others are devastated. I pray for suzi and the kids that god will give them strength. 15 hours ago via Twitterrific · powered by @socialditto

An additional, similar message on the Danica Patrick Facebook page:

Danica PatrickTragic loss today – thoughts and prayers to the family of Dan Wheldon. 16 hours ago · 2,087 likes · 546 comments

The race in which Wheldon was killed, was actually Patrick’s last race as a full-time IndyCar driver. Moving forward, she will focus on NASCAR.

Other noteworthy tweets:

@kaseykahne
Kasey KahneAll I can think about is Dan Wheldon. A great person and a great race car driver. Were all going to miss you Dan. Such a talent! RIP 3 hours ago via Twitter for Android · powered by @socialditto

@dennyhamlin
Denny HamlinLife shouldn’t be one of those things. We lost a great driver in motorsports and he will not be forgotten. Rest in peace Dan Wheldon 10 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

@JeffGordonWeb
Jeff GordonSpent a little time with Dan Wheldon several years ago in Paris for Race of Champions. Great guy, great driver. Will certainly b missed,#JG 16 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

@KyleBusch
Kyle BuschThe loss of Dan Wheldon affects the whole racing community. May all our thoughts and prayers b w his family. He will b missed! 16 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

@DALEEARNHARDT8
DALE JR UPDATESCrazy day of racing in Vegas… You’ll be missed my man… @danwheldon R.I.P 14 minutes ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto

@dariofranchitti
Dario FranchittiRest in peace Danny boy, we’ll miss you my friend.
Everyone please keep the wheldon family in you thoughts and prayers. 14 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

@AshleyJudd
ashley juddHardest parts, Thinking about Susie, Sebastian, Oliver. Seeing my husband grieve. Nights are so awful at first. Poor woman. Such pain. 13 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Judd is married to racer Dario Franchitti.

@Billy
Billy CorganRIP Dan Wheldon who died racing today in Las Vegas. I got to meet and talk to Dan once, a lovely and cool guy. A terrible tragedy… 11 hours ago via txt · powered by @socialditto

Corgan is the frontman for the band Smashing Pumpkins. Not exactly connected to the sports world, but it seemed worth sharing.

Others are expressing their condolences here.

October 17, 2011
Dan Wheldon Remembered By IndyCar Sponsor Bob Parsons

On Sunday, the sports world was hit with the tragic loss of IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner died after a massive 15-car crash at the Indy 300 race in Las Vegas. He was 33.

Wheldon, who was born in England, was one of the sport’s young stars, and his death hit the racing community pretty hard. The wreck that cost Wheldon his life happened quite early in the race, and after the other drivers and owners learned of his death, they all decided to cancel the remaining lap and hold an on-track tribute to Wheldon.

They circled the track 5 times while Wheldon’s number, 77, was displayed on the scoreboard.

Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy.com and race sponsor, issued a statement on the passing of Dan Wheldon:

GoDaddy.com“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon’s family and friends on this sad, sad day. All of us in the IndyCar Series family feel an unexplainable sense of loss. Not just for the sport, but for all who knew Dan Wheldon. Dan was a family man, a father, a husband, a son and a brother. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was also a competitor and a colleague … our deepest condolences go out to all who knew Dan.”

– Bob Parsons
Go Daddy CEO & Founder 13 hours ago · 340 likes · 37 comments

Parsons and GoDaddy (along with Verizon) were sponsoring an IndyCar Challenge taking place at Sunday’s race. They offered to pay any driver who could start the race in last place and finish in first place $5 million. Wheldon stepped up to that plate and was prepared to split his winnings with a New Jersey woman, chosen via random drawing.

October 17, 2011
Indianapolis 500 Winner, Dan Wheldon, Dies in Wreck [VIDEO]

Dan Wheldon, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 and 2011, has died after a fiery 15-car wreck at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His car flew over another on lap 13 and smashed into the wall just near the 2nd turn.

You can view the crash video below.

Wheldon was only 33 years old. To pay their respects, drivers and owners have agreed to not resume the race. The drivers plan to do a five-lap salute in his honor.

To read more about the death of Dan Wheldon, please visit FamousDead.com

News of Wheldon hit Twitter, where his name was one of the top trending topics:

@john
John ShahidiRIP Dan Wheldon. My heart goes out to his family, including his 2 year old and new born. Such horrible news. 28 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

@DhaniJones
Dhani JonesA tragic day. RT @MikeHillESPN: R.I.P Dan Wheldon. Dying today in a horrific, tragic 15 car crash in Vegas. 44 minutes ago via Osfoora for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

@36westbrook
Brian WestbrookLife is so short. Make the most of it & enjoy every minute you have w/ those you love. My thoughts are w/ Dan’s family. RIP Dan Wheldon 48 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

@Prince___Harry
Prince HarryThoughts and prayers with Dan Wheldon ‘s wife and 2 young boys at this immensely painful and tragic time. #RIP 50 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

October 16, 2011