Sunday, March 26, 2006
# posted by Rich @ 11:43 PM
IRL from Homestead, Miami
Dan Wheldon took a sensational win in this afternoon's Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead, Miami, pulling out to pass Helio Castroneves on the last lap to win by just 14 thousandths of a second - the 9th closest in IRL history. Castroneves and Wheldon went literally wheel-to-wheel at over 210 mph for 5 straight laps, lightly touching on more than one occasion, before Wheldon hung back and built some momentum to swing by Castroneves in the last turn, averaging over 215 mph on his final lap.
As dramatic and as entertaining as the finish of the race was, the event was marred by a horrific accident in this morning's final practice. Ed Carpenter lost control, and slammed into the retaining wall in turn 2. As he slid to a halt on the track, the yellow flags came out. Although a couple of cars avoided him, Paul Dana - a rookie driving for the Rahal Letterman team - slammed into Carpenter's stationary car at almost 180 mph, sending his car airborne. Both drivers were airlifted to hospital. Carpenter is reported to be doing well, and is being kept under observation. Dana was not so lucky. It was announced at 12.45 pm that Dana had succumbed to his injuries.
With the excitement and drama of the closing laps, it would have been easy to forget this morning's events. Dan Wheldon showed his true class, however - as he crossed the line to take the win, he came on the radio to say "Great job. Under the circumstances, I don't think we should celebrate this one".
More can be found in these articles:
Tragedy Strikes IRL Opener (SpeedTV.com)
Wheldon edges Castroneves for victory (indyracingleague.com)
As dramatic and as entertaining as the finish of the race was, the event was marred by a horrific accident in this morning's final practice. Ed Carpenter lost control, and slammed into the retaining wall in turn 2. As he slid to a halt on the track, the yellow flags came out. Although a couple of cars avoided him, Paul Dana - a rookie driving for the Rahal Letterman team - slammed into Carpenter's stationary car at almost 180 mph, sending his car airborne. Both drivers were airlifted to hospital. Carpenter is reported to be doing well, and is being kept under observation. Dana was not so lucky. It was announced at 12.45 pm that Dana had succumbed to his injuries.
With the excitement and drama of the closing laps, it would have been easy to forget this morning's events. Dan Wheldon showed his true class, however - as he crossed the line to take the win, he came on the radio to say "Great job. Under the circumstances, I don't think we should celebrate this one".
More can be found in these articles:
Tragedy Strikes IRL Opener (SpeedTV.com)
Wheldon edges Castroneves for victory (indyracingleague.com)
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