Next race: Alabama Indy Grand Prix, March 29

Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon, Indianapolis,
Born:
June 22 1978
Died:
October 26 2011
Nationality:
England
First race:
Chicagoland, 2002
Races:
133
Wins:
16
Race Win %:
12.03%

About Dan Wheldon

  • Biography
  • Performance by Circuit Type
  • Wins
  • Results

    • Biography

    Dan Wheldon was an English IndyCar driver who became best known for winning the IndyCar Championship in 2005 and claiming two Indianapolis 500 victories (2005 and 2011). In 2011, Wheldon lost his life in a massive crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Early move to America & first successes

    At a young age, Dan Wheldon made the move to American open-wheel racing, following the traditional U.S. ladder to the top: Formula Ford 2000, Toyota Atlantic, and Indy Lights. In 2002, he made his IRL debut for Panther Racing during the final two races of the season. He impressed so much in those outings that he was offered a contract with Andretti-Green for the 2003 season.

    In 2005, he succeeded in winning the championship with the team, after which he moved to Ganassi Racing. In his first year with Ganassi, he finished tied with Sam Hornish Jr. at the top of the points standings, but missed out on the title due to having fewer race wins. During the two following seasons at Ganassi, he often struggled to match the pace of teammate Scott Dixon, which ultimately led to him being replaced by Dario Franchitti.

    Return to Panther Racing

    Shortly thereafter, it was announced that the Englishman would return to the team where it all began: Panther Racing. There, he enjoyed two solid seasons, scoring four podium finishes with the relatively small team and finishing in the top ten of the championship standings in both years. Despite these consistent results, Wheldon was replaced at Panther Racing after the 2010 season by rookie JR Hildebrand.

    Indy 500 victory in 2011

    Despite his extensive résumé, Wheldon was unable to secure a full-time ride for the 2011 season. However, he received an opportunity for the Indianapolis 500 with the small Bryan Herta Autosport team, which competed exclusively in the Indy 500 for the second consecutive year. Wheldon delivered an impressive performance and appeared to be on his way to a second-place finish, until race leader JR Hildebrand—his replacement at Panther Racing—crashed in the final corner of the final lap. In storybook fashion, Wheldon passed the crashed car just before the finish line to claim his second Indianapolis 500 victory.

    During the 2011 season, Wheldon served as a development driver for the new generation of IndyCars, which were scheduled to be introduced in 2012. In addition, he was given the opportunity to return to Andretti Autosport for the 2012 season as the replacement for Danica Patrick.

    Tragic end in Las Vegas

    However, events would take a dramatically different turn. Wheldon was entered in the final race of the 2011 season in an additional car fielded by Sam Schmidt Motorsports. At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he was part of a special storyline in which he and a fan would split $5 million if he managed to win the race starting from the final grid position.

    On lap eleven of the race, a massive accident unfolded in the middle of the pack, involving a large number of cars. Wheldon was unable to avoid the incident and was launched into the air, with his car subsequently making contact with the catch fencing cockpit-first. During the crash, Wheldon’s helmet struck one of the fence support poles. Two and a half hours after the incident, IndyCar confirmed that Wheldon had succumbed to his injuries.

    Performance by Circuit Type

    TypeRacesAvg FinishWinsRace Win %
    Oval1006.93001515%
    Streetcourse1310.615417.69%
    Roadcourse1712.176500%
    Airfield314.000000%

    Wins

    # Jaar Date (ET) Race Type
    1 2004 April 17 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval
    2 2004 June 28 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval
    3 2004 August 29 Firestone Indy 225
    Nazareth    		 Oval
    4 2005 March 6 Toyota Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval
    5 2005 April 3 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse
    6 2005 April 30 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval
    7 2005 May 29 89th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval
    8 2005 August 21 Honda Indy 225
    Pikes Peak Raceway    		 Oval
    9 2005 September 11 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval
    10 2006 March 26 Toyota Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval
    11 2006 September 10 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean
    Chicagoland    		 Oval
    12 2007 March 24 XM Satellite Radio Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval
    13 2007 April 29 Kansas Lottery Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval
    14 2008 April 27 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval
    15 2008 June 22 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval
    16 2011 May 29 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
    Indianapolis    		 Oval

    Results

    2002
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    September 8 Delphi Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 10
    September 15 Chevy 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 15


    2003
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    April 13 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 7
    May 25 Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 19
    June 7 Bombardier 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 20
    June 15 Honda Indy 225
    Pikes Peak Raceway    		 Oval 19
    June 28 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 8
    July 6 Kansas Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 21
    July 19 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 4
    July 27 Firestone Indy 400
    Michigan International Raceway    		 Oval 20
    August 10 Emerson Indy 250
    Gateway    		 Oval 5
    August 17 Belterra Casino Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 8
    August 24 Firestone Indy 225
    Nazareth    		 Oval 7
    September 7 Delphi Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 4
    September 21 Toyota Indy 400
    Fontana    		 Oval 4
    October 12 Chevy 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 3


    2004
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    February 29 Toyota Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval 3
    March 21 Copper World Indy 200
    Phoenix Raceway    		 Oval 3
    April 17 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 1
    May 30 88th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 3
    June 12 Bombardier 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 13
    June 28 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 1
    July 4 Argent Mortgage 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 9
    July 17 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 13
    July 25 Menards A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 18
    August 1 Michigan Indy 400
    Michigan International Raceway    		 Oval 3
    August 15 Belterra Casino Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 3
    August 22 Honda Indy 225
    Pikes Peak Raceway    		 Oval 3
    August 29 Firestone Indy 225
    Nazareth    		 Oval 1
    September 12 Delphi Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 4
    October 3 Toyota Indy 400
    Fontana    		 Oval 3
    October 17 Chevy 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 3


    2005
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 6 Toyota Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval 1
    March 19 XM Satellite Radio Indy 200
    Phoenix Raceway    		 Oval 6
    April 3 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 1
    April 30 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 1
    May 29 89th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 1
    June 11 Bombardier Learjet 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 6
    June 25 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 5
    July 3 Argent Mortgage Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 2
    July 16 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 21
    July 24 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 5
    July 11 Firestone Indy 400
    Michigan International Raceway    		 Oval 2
    August 14 AMBER Alert Portal Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 3
    August 21 Honda Indy 225
    Pikes Peak Raceway    		 Oval 1
    August 28 Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 18
    September 11 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 1
    September 25 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 5
    October 16 Toyota Indy 400
    Fontana    		 Oval 6


    2006
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 26 Toyota Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval 1
    April 2 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 16
    April 22 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 2
    May 28 90th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 4
    June 4 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Tissot
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 15
    June 10 Bombardier Learjet 500
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 3
    June 24 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 9
    July 2 Kansas Lottery Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 2
    July 15 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 2
    July 23 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 8
    July 30 Firestone Indy 400
    Michigan International Raceway    		 Oval 3
    August 13 Meijer Indy 300 presented by Coca-Cola and Secret
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 4
    August 27 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 6
    September 10 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 1


    2007
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 24 XM Satellite Radio Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval 1
    April 1 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 9
    April 21 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 2
    April 29 Kansas Lottery Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 1
    May 27 91st Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 22
    June 3 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 3
    June 9 Bombardier Learjet 550
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 15
    June 24 Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Ethanol
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 11
    June 30 SunTrust Indy Challenge presented by XM Satellite Radio
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 3
    July 8 Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 7
    July 15 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 8
    July 22 The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 10
    August 5 Firestone Indy 400
    Michigan International Raceway    		 Oval 12
    August 11 Meijer Indy 300 presented by Coca-Cola and Edy's
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 17
    August 26 Motorola Indy 300
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 7
    September 2 Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 3
    September 9 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 13


    2008
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 29 Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300
    Homestead    		 Oval 3
    April 6 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 12
    April 19 Indy Japan 300
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 4
    April 27 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 1
    May 25 92nd Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 12
    June 1 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 4
    June 7 Bombardier Learjet 550
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 4
    June 22 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 1
    June 28 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 4
    July 6 Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 24
    July 12 Firestone Indy 200
    Nashville Superspeedway    		 Oval 2
    July 20 Honda 200
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 17
    July 26 Rexall Edmonton Indy
    Edmonton    		 Airfield 7
    August 9 Meijer Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 5
    August 24 Motorola Indy 300
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 4
    August 31 Detroit Indy Grand Prix
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 20
    September 7 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 6
    October 25 Nikon Indy 300
    Surfers Paradise    		 Streetcourse 10


    2009
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    April 5 Honda GP of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 14
    April 19 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 5
    April 26 Road Runner Turbo Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 10
    May 24 93rd Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 2
    May 31 ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt 225
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 10
    June 6 Bombardier Learjet 550
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 7
    June 21 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 4
    June 27 SunTrust Indy Challenge
    Richmond Raceway    		 Oval 10
    July 5 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 10
    July 12 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 14
    July 26 Rexall Indy Edmonton
    Edmonton    		 Airfield 15
    August 1 Grand Prix of Kentucky
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 11
    August 9 The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 16
    August 23 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 12
    August 29 PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 22
    September 19 Honda Indy Japan
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 8
    October 10 Homestead-Miami Speedway
    Homestead    		 Oval 21


    2010
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 14 São Paulo Indy 300
    São Paulo    		 Streetcourse 5
    March 29 Honda GP of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 20
    April 11 Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 11
    April 18 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 9
    May 1 Road Runner Turbo Indy 300
    Kansas    		 Oval 15
    May 30 Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 2
    June 5 Firestone 550k
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 9
    June 20 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 11
    July 4 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 6
    July 18 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 10
    July 25 Honda Indy Edmonton
    Edmonton    		 Airfield 20
    August 8 The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 14
    August 22 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 25
    August 28 PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300
    Chicagoland    		 Oval 2
    September 4 Grand Prix of Kentucky
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 3
    September 19 Honda Indy Japan
    Motegi Oval    		 Oval 10
    October 2 Homestead-Miami Speedway
    Homestead    		 Oval 9


    2011
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    May 29 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 1
    October 2 Kentucky Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 14