Attleboro High School Student Says Goodbye to IndyCar Driver, Dan Wheldon

By Allie Gamache

June 22, 1978 - October 16, 2011. A true champion rests.

On October 16, 2011, IndyCar racer, Dan Wheldon, passed away from a fatal accident during the twelve laps of the Las Vegas IndyCar race at the Las Vegas Speedway.

Wheldon was a huge loss to racers from all over the world. To fellow IndyCar drivers to go-kart racers across the United States, his death was a realization about how dangerous motorsports has become.

Not only was Wheldon a highly-skilled and exciting IndyCar driver, but he was also intelligent, well-spoken, generous and kind, with a keen sense of humor. He would linger around the fencing that separates the infield grandstands from the pit lane to joke and talk with fans, sign autographs and shake hands. No other driver would do this.

Even in the go-karting world, meeting Dan was an honor. You would walk around the pits and he would always be talking and making jokes with other junior drivers, encouraging them to always follow their dreams.

After Wheldon’s death, tears were shed, memories remained, and he became the talk of the racing world.

Everyone will remember his last words during a pre-race interview. “I’ll do anything I can to put on a show,” Wheldon said.

During Wheldon’s funeral, on Oct. 22, Dan’s wife, Susie, wrote a letter that was read by family friend Michael Johnson.

“My sweet Dan, my whole body is aching, down to the deepest part of my soul,” said Susie in her letter, “My heart is scattered in a million pieces. I just want to wake up and here your reassuring voice.”

Holly Wheldon, Dan’s sister also spoke at the funeral. “'My brother was born to race,” she wrote. “Dan without racing is like a cup of tea without milk, and Dan loved tea.”

A close teammate, and friend in the go-karting world, Ashley Rogero, posted a status, “Today makes me go back and think, I compete in one of the most dangerous sports there is. Losing one of the team members really makes me think about how life-risking racing is.” She continued, “For those of you who didn't know Dan, he was awesome. I loved seeing his smile every time I saw him. He was a man that will never, ever be forgotten. I love you Dan Wheldon. You left foot prints in my heart.”

Wheldon didn’t just affect people off the track; he even affected everyone on the track. Nick Rivellini, a senior driver in go-karting said, “When Dan passed me, I followed him for a few laps and quickly became better and my times improved.”

Rivellini also said, “I had the pleasure of racing with Dan Wheldon. He was a great racer and even better man. He loved the sport and he will definitely be missed by all.”

Another senior driver, Carter Fartuch, who is new to the karting world, was affected by Wheldon’s death. “Even though I never got to personally meet Dan Wheldon, I’m devastated. Today the racing world lost a true great. The whole racing community is like one big family, and today we lost an amazing family member. You will never be forgotten Dan Wheldon.”

The racing world is truly a big family. Dan had fans and friends he might not have even known about, but because everyone in racing is so close, he is considered not only a true friend, but also a brother.

During an interview prior to Wheldon’s final race, he was asked, “Being a new father, do you think differently about the safety aspects of racing in the IndyCar series now?” Wheldon answered, “Honestly, with everything that's gone on in my life, I feel when your time's up, your time's up.Honestly, with everything’s that’s gone on in my life, I feel when your time’s up, your time’s up. You can’t worry about that stuff. You’ve got to live life as if it’s your last day.”

Wheldon’s words are encouraging to all junior drivers and people aspiring to become famous in the sport of motorsports.

Not only did Wheldon’s death affect family, friends and racers, but it also affected Jersey Shore superstar Pauly D, who attended that fateful race. He tweeted, “Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Wheldon family and friends. We lost a great one. RIP.”

Wheldon’s death took a toll on his family, friends, fellow racers and many others who knew Dan. As dangerous as motorsports is, Wheldon passed doing something he loved.

Honestly, with everything that's gone on in my life, I feel when your time's up, your time's up. You can't worry about that stuff. You've got to live life like it's your last day. No, I don't. You know, one thing that's very important to me is being able to win a race for my sons before I retire. And I won the biggest race for a long time -- the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500! I want to continue to do that. I don't want my boys to have to go to school and say "my frickin' dad's a loser, he can't win an IndyCar race.