St. Pete Pays Tribute to Dan Wheldon

It was at turn No. 10 that IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon used to slip past Ryan Briscoe in 2005 to propel him to victory in the inaugural St. Petersburg Honda Grand Prix. 

On Wednesday that turn, at the corner of Bayshore Drive and Albert Whitted Park, officially became Dan Wheldon Way in honor of the late Dan Wheldon.

"I know that the city of St. Petersburg, his adopted hometown, loved Dan Wheldon not as a driver — I mean that was kinda cool — we loved Dan Wheldon as a neighbor, as a husband and a father," said Mayor Bill Foster at Wednesday's road dedication to Wheldon.

Wheldon died in October 2011 after a 15-car pileup during a race in Las Vegas.

The city unveiled the street sign in front of fans, Indy racecar drivers and members of Weldon’s family, including his wife Susie Wheldon.

"I am so proud and blessed to be a part of this community and to be able to call this community home," Susie Wheldon said. "For recognizing Dan in such a special way today; What a beautiful gift to be part of his legacy. Sebastian, Oliver will be so proud to know the impact their father had on this community and the world of motor sports."

Renderings for two permanent Wheldon memorials, which are scheduled to be completed in the fall, will flank the roadway were also unveiled.

Panels will be constructed for the memorials in concrete to symbolize the concrete barriers associated with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race circuit, the news release said.

Bronze plaques will commemorate Dan Wheldon's race highlights and previous Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winners. The monument is set on a base of cobblestone and brick pavement, to symbolize streets in both of Wheldon's homeland and adopted home city of St. Petersburg.

"We are all here today in solidarity to say we love Dan," Foster said as he concluded his speech Wednesday. "We love you, Susie and the boys. This is going to be known as Dan’s turn."

Participating in the ceremony were Foster, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Tim Ramsberger, Randy Bernard, president and chief executive officer of INDYCAR, Kim Green, co-owner of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, Motorsports Manager T. E. McHale, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and Susie Wheldon.