The 2011 Indy 500 Finish

Picture this: It's the final lap. The racer that you're cheering for is winning. All he has to do is make this one last turn then . . . he hits the wall. HE HITS THE WALL!! Then, the person who was in second charges toward the front to win the Indy 500. That is exactly what occurred on the day of May 29, 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. JR Hildebrand was about 2 seconds ahead of Dan Wheldon, and all he needed to do was lap Charlie Kimball and head for the brickyard. Instead, Hildebrand is crammed to the outside, he loses control, hits the wall, and skids toward the finish line. Wheldon had taken the lead before Hildebrand could cross the finish line. Nothing could have gone better for Dan Wheldon or his fans. That was one of the greatest moments of Dan's career. But on October 16, 2011, Dan was killed in a 15 car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Fate knew Dan's life would come to an end, so fate gave him a little slack and allowed him to claim his second title in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Dan Wheldon:
June 22, 1978 - October 16, 2011