Remembering Dan Wheldon

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 17, 2011

Remembering Dan Wheldon

Dario Franchitti

"We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships, and that's what we love to do, what we live for. Days like today, it doesn't really matter. I lost, we lost, a good friend. Everybody in IndyCar considered Dan a friend. You saw what the reaction was. Dan was one of those special, special people, from when he first showed up at IndyCar."

Denny Hamlin

"Today was a reminder to all of us what can happen every time we strap in behind the wheel. At times I think we all take things for granted. Life shouldn't be one of those things. We lost a great driver in motor sports and he will not be forgotten. Rest in peace Dan Wheldon."

Danica Patrick

"There are no words for today. Myself and so many others are devastated. I pray for [Susie] and the kids that God will give them strength."

James Hinchcliffe

"It's a black day for the sport. We came in here hoping for a good season finale and ended up losing a very close friend and a very good racing driver."

Jeff Gordon

"Spent a little time with Dan Wheldon several years ago in Paris for [the] Race of Champions. Great guy, great driver. Will certainly [be] missed."

Chip Ganassi

"We're all going to miss him. A little bit of everybody in IndyCar racing died today."

Oriol Servia

"I feel so bad for Susie and their kids. It's so tough to understand when somebody is gone that quickly. Dan was always a very happy guy; he was always smiling. He was a funny, great person that touched a lot of people. He will be missed."

J.R. Hildebrand

"What a tremendously sad day, my thoughts are with the entire Wheldon family ... Dan's passion for IndyCar racing will be sorely missed. ..."

Will Power

"Such a sad day ... to lose a champion like Dan Wheldon ... my thoughts and prayers are with Susie and his kids."

NASCAR CEO Brian France

"NASCAR offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Dan Wheldon, his teammates and the entire IndyCar Series community for their tragic loss today. They will be in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family and friends on this sad, sad day. All of us in the IndyCar family feel an unexplainable sense of loss. Not just for the sport, but for all who knew Dan Wheldon. Dan was a family man, a father, a husband, a son and a brother. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was also a competitor and a colleague ... our deepest condolences go out to all who knew Dan."

Tomas Scheckter

"Lay in a dark room, hope I wake up from the nightmare. This is not fair and not right it can't be true."

Scott Dixon

"My dearest friend Danny boy. Thank you for everything! [You're] an amazing driver and man. I will miss you so badly. Luv ya mate." (L-R) Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon.

Trevor Bayne

"I'm sick at my stomach right now over Dan Wheldon. I just hung out [with] him a month ago and he was such an awesome guy [with] so much life in him."