Horrific crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - IZOD IndyCar World Championship

[OBCT]

At least 15 cars involved. Unsurprisingly, there were several injuries. One racer, Dan Wheldon, was airlifted to hospital and remained in critical condition at last update. EDIT: Mr. Wheldon has since passed away. [see below for updates]

Here's a couple of videos (please exercise extreme caution if you are averse to human carnage; the following videos are difficult to watch):





EDIT:

A less important, but still interesting side story from this is that IndyCar championship league standings leader Will Power's unintentional involvement in this crash has eliminated his chance at this season's individual crown. Circuit veteran Dario Franchitti will take the overall title as a result. What a tragic way to end the 2011 Indy Racing season.


UPDATE:

Race officials have announced that Dan Wheldon has died. A 5-lap salute to Dan has been performed by the remaining drivers as a tribute to him. It was incredibly touching. So, so sad.

The rest of the race has been cancelled.


UPDATE:

Such a sad scene. Rest In Peace, Dan Wheldon.


A few links:

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/...reeching-halt/

http://www.kaj18.com/news/massive-cr...race-in-vegas/

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/motor...017-1ls2y.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/sp...s-IndyCar.html


Official word on his death:

http://espn.go.com/chicago/story/_/i...rash-las-vegas


UPDATE:

More videos with different angles (if you can stand watching...):







More videos of the terrible crash:







Official announcement of Dan's death by IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard:



5 lap tribute from fellow racers to Dan Wheldon and his family:



Fan-created Video Tribute: In Memory of Dan Wheldon:

[dissentowner]

That is scary! Hope everyone comes out ok.

[ballin]

lots of reports saying that dan wheldon has passed.. pretty sad if it is true

[Joborule]

Holy crap that was massive on the blimp cam in the first video.

[T@T]

Espn is reporting he has indeed died..tragic

[Barnet Flame]

Confirmed on BBC - Dan Wheldon has died.

[OILFAN #81]

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=378250

Wheldon was 33 and was a 2 time winner of the Indy 500 (including winning it this year). Died in a 15 car crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300.

RIP.

[T@T]

Some quotes, seems some drivers didn't like this track.

Kanaan: "A track like this with the Power we have is a potential disaster."

Dario: "Within 5 laps, people started to do crazy stuff. I wanted no part of it. I said before this is not a suitable track."

Tracy: "Dan’s car went over my back wheel and over the top of me. Just a lot of prayers for Dan. There are 20 doctors in there with him."

The entire top roll area of Wheldon's car was sheered off.

[Mccree]

Saw the crash. Absolute tragic. It was a horrific crash.

[Beerfest]

[saskflames69]

That.. is just tragic.

[Acey]

Speeds in excess of 360 kph reached in practice.

[gonzo29]

My god that is stomach turning.

RIP Dan Wheldon.

[jar_e]

Can't believe only one person died out of that. Sweet mother of pearl what a wreck.

[WhiteTiger]

That is some pretty insane stuff.

[sureLoss]

Pretty horrific accident that you would only expect to see in a movie. RIP

[Thrillingbroom]

Was Wheldon the dark car that goes flying at around 26 seconds in the video OILFAN posted? Part of the secondary crash?

[browna]

Brutal...you see cars flying all the time (ok, not all the time), and see them land and roll, with the guy getting up a little bruised up...but the twist this time being that given the location of the crash, and the location of it in the turn, the rolling car struck the wall while still 45 degree angle, so any safety equipment (like a roll bar) is basically useless when it was likely the cockpit directly that hit the wall at that angle.

Wheeldon was inline for $5m if he won the race too? Don't follow Indy Car at all anymore, but he was certainly a top driver.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by Thrillingbroom

Was Wheldon the dark car that goes flying at around 26 seconds in the video OILFAN posted? Part of the secondary crash?

Yes.

[burn_this_city]

His car disintegrated, RIP.