Dan Wheldon dies in a massive pileup in the IndyCar 300 race, Las Vegas

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/16/us/indycar...?hpt=hp_t1

(CNN) -- Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday after he was involved in a multi-car wreck at the Las Vegas Indy 300. He was 33.

The rest of the race -- the marquee event of the IZOD IndyCar World Championships -- was canceled, said IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. The drivers, many of whom were visibly emotional after emerging from a meeting with IndyCar officials, did a five-lap salute in Wheldon's honor.

"Amazing Grace" played as the drivers slowly wound their way around the track.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family," Bernard said.

More than a dozen vehicles were involved in Sunday's fiery wreck. Video of the accident showed cars spinning out of control, bursting into flames, and shooting smoke and debris into the air.

Championship contender Will Power and Rookie of the Year candidate J.R. Hildebrand were also involved in the crash, according to the official Twitter page of the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Wheldon was in line to win $5 million if he had captured the checkered flag at Sunday's race.

After his second Indy 500 victory in May, Wheldon talked with CNN's "American Morning" about the intensity of the race track.

"We're doing speeds in excess of 225 miles per hour. With this race, you never know what can happen. It's about staying focused and you really don't ever let off the power unless you have to," he said in May.

Wheldon, who was born in Emberton, England, lived in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is survived by his wife.

I was outright horrified when I first heard what happened, then I was speechless once I saw the footage of the crash. An awesome, spectacular guy shouldn't have to die like this and leave the world so early. May he rest in peace. =(

[video=youtube;YcAZ7I_lk7M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YcAZ7I_lk7M[/video]