Dan Wheldon succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash in the Izod IndyCar Series season final earlier today, October 16th 2011, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was 33.

After starting last, he had worked his way up to 24th place in the 34-car field. The crash started in front of Wheldon, with no where to go his car launched off of a car in front of him, flipped into the catchfence and erupted in flames on Lap 12. The race was halted and the drivers drove a five-lap parade in his honor. 

Dan Wheldon, a two time Indianapolis 500 champion and 2005 series champion, was an avid karter and never forgot his racing roots. He participated in the Florida Winter Tour kart racing series during his off season the past couple of years and also at the SKUSA Super Nationals in Las Vegas. 

Dan Wheldon added Author to his list of accomplishments in 2010 when he released his book "Lion Heart" documenting his IndyCar career, starting in 2003 with his rookie year, through his Indy 500 win and includes the season with Panther Racing. It gives fans a behind the scenes look at his life on and off the track. 

God Speed Dan Wheldon, you will be greatly missed by your fans world wide. Our thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family.