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Post by macsparty on Oct 17, 2011 7:43:22 GMT -5
I've waited until this morning, trying to gather some thought on this. And I still can't.
Devastated is the only word that comes to mind. I know every incident is different, and causes unique responses, but this one just feels worse than any other to me. The reaction of the drivers, everything.
Like so many others, I considered Dan a true champion of the highest order. He was good for the sport, the sport was good for him.
It's going to be a long off season.
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Post by 2lapsdown on Oct 17, 2011 8:15:24 GMT -5
Scott, that pretty much sums up how I feel too. I look toward the next season with mixed emotions.
John
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Post by senn65 on Oct 17, 2011 10:38:36 GMT -5
I'm having a hard time dealing with this one. Dan didn't know me but I feel like I've lost a personal friend. Aside from Team Penske he was my favorite. Always smiling & a great interview. He loved this sport & his passion for the 500 was incredible. Indycar lost a great advocate for AOW, a gentleman, & a man who loved his fans.  |
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Post by chadm500 on Oct 17, 2011 10:52:33 GMT -5
This one hurts!
Not only was Dan a great driver but he understood what it meant to be a champion and a gentleman. He won the hearts of my twin daughters the first time we meet him. We were at the Kentucky race a number of years ago for an autograph session. After standing in line to meet a few different drivers who could care less about being there, most of which didn’t even bother to look up and say hi.
We get to Dan who not only looks up to say hi but starts to joke around with my daughters. My one daughter had on a Danica shirt and asked him to sign it. He was happy to, but as he was signing it he asked her if she new what he wrote? She said no and he replied I wrote kick me on the back of your shirt. We all laughed about it and after a picture with the girls he thanked me for bring them to the track.
We were lucky enough to see him a few more times over the years both at Indy and Kentucky and he was always very friendly. He will truly be missed!
R.I.P. Dan Wheldon
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Post by stonecold44 on Oct 17, 2011 21:22:23 GMT -5
This one hurts! Not only was Dan a great driver but he understood what it meant to be a champion and a gentleman. He won the hearts of my twin daughters the first time we meet him. We were at the Kentucky race a number of years ago for an autograph session. After standing in line to meet a few different drivers who could care less about being there, most of which didn’t even bother to look up and say hi. We get to Dan who not only looks up to say hi but starts to joke around with my daughters. My one daughter had on a Danica shirt and asked him to sign it. He was happy to, but as he was signing it he asked her if she new what he wrote? She said no and he replied I wrote kick me on the back of your shirt. We all laughed about it and after a picture with the girls he thanked me for bring them to the track. We were lucky enough to see him a few more times over the years both at Indy and Kentucky and he was always very friendly. He will truly be missed! R.I.P. Dan Wheldon I think your story and many others like it, are why Dan's death hurts way more than others. He just got "it". He understood the driver/fan relationship, the history of the Indy 500, how to mix in his sponsors during interviews and his personality was such that everyone considered him a friend. I watched the race today and during the parade laps ABC was talking to him. He sounded so upbeat and aware of what the race was all about, including his part in the $5 million dollar challenge. And in the middle of it all, he mentioned every one of his sponsors. I used to be annoyed when drivers did that but I appreciated it when Dan used to give a shout out to the troops when he drove for the National Guard. Again, he just got "it". I was telling a client tonight that it will be really weird next year at Indy, getting the ticket with Dan's face and car on it and knowing he won't be there to defend his Indy win. |
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Post by chadm500 on Oct 17, 2011 22:05:11 GMT -5
This was taken at Kentucky in 2010. My daugther is taking this a lot harder then I expected.  |
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Post by pje on Oct 18, 2011 9:38:09 GMT -5
It’s so ironic, the guy that’s been working so hard on the newer, safer car and then looses his life in the old car….. The new car should be named a Wheldon. You got your wish. www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95505Paul Erlendson |
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Post by professor on Oct 18, 2011 9:44:20 GMT -5
I have to say that originally I didn't care for Wheldon. I thought he was brash and cocky and was a "fur ner" taking away a ride that should go to an American.
But then I had the opportunity to interview him for a local Radio Station, did several times in fact. The thing that changed my mind about him was at Kentucky a few years ago. There was a little girl (9-10) that was hanging on the fence behind his pit hoping to get an his autograph. Her parents were there patiently waiting in hopes of getting his attention.
Aftre practice was finished Dan spotted her and went over and signed the picture she had.
(Here is way he was a gentleman) he told the little girl "You and your parents meet me at the pit gate when I'm done here and I will take you back to the garages and you can sit in my racecar"
Changed my whole opinion of the man. R.I.P. Dan
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Post by stuboyle on Oct 18, 2011 9:56:55 GMT -5
I have to say that originally I didn't care for Wheldon. I thought he was brash and cocky and was a "fur ner" taking away a ride that should go to an American. I too have to admit that I didn't care for him and that had to do with the constant sales pitch he put on during his TV interviews. It really was annoying watching him take sip after sip from that empty NOS bottle. |
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Post by lance on Oct 18, 2011 15:03:08 GMT -5
I remember watching Dan run his first 500, it was very obvious to anyone who observed him that day that there was something special about him. I had no doubt that day that he was bound for greatness and would very soon be contending to win the 500. This is so very very tragic. Lance
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Post by mrindy77 on Oct 18, 2011 15:19:55 GMT -5
I found the 'placating' of his sponsors actually humerous....it was like watching an SNL skit...like a slam against NASCRAP drivers.....he had do it but it almost seemed tongue in cheek.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2011 22:28:46 GMT -5
"Danny Boy" performed by Mr. Dave Bechtel at Dan's memorial at the main gate this morning.  Hope this works right. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2011 22:47:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2011 22:52:17 GMT -5
Just hit the above link. Didn't work as intended but at least you can play it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2011 2:45:09 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2011 2:47:35 GMT -5
Daughter's tribute video to Dan on above link. After exorcising the facebook demons, finally got it on here. Hope you enjoy it.
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Post by illeagle10 on Oct 19, 2011 11:28:31 GMT -5
It’s so ironic, the guy that’s been working so hard on the newer, safer car and then looses his life in the old car….. The new car should be named a Wheldon. You got your wish. www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95505Paul Erlendson Thanks Paul, but my wish would've been to have Dan alive and have Dallara name the car after him for all of his hard work. However, I do think naming the car in Dan's honor is a class act by Dallara. My second wish is that this car turns out to be an outstanding car, and sets the standard for all motor sporting events in the future! Jim |
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