Draggon Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 I wasnt really a fan of his, but after seeing Dale Earnhardt's passing, I figured with a 2 hour plus red flag, the news wansnt good. To see Tony Kannan so obviously emotional, I anticipated the worst. God Bless you and your family, Dan Wheldon.
1320wayne Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 It's sad to see this yet again but unfortunately it is to be expected with this type of racing at the kinds of speeds that they run. Another case of a young, talented driver losing his life way too early in life with such a bright future in front of him. Our prayers go out to his family and the entire Indy Racing community.
SuperStockAndy Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Just got the news a few minutes ago.. RIP Dan It's very rare to see a death in motorsports in this day but they do unfortunately happen.
Draggon Posted October 16, 2011 Author Posted October 16, 2011 On the 5 lap tribute they played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. Hard to not get choked up over that. And he was given the honorary win.
Lunajammer Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 I watched the whole thing, race and post. Pretty emotional. Hard to believe. Hard to see so many heroes from that race in tears and embraces.
martinfan5 Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Why not a fan of open wheel racing, its sad to see any race car driver lose their live, I started watching the race an hour into the red flag( not knowing about the wreck) . My thoughts and prayers go out to Dan's wife and family, and what a very touching five lap tribute to him, I did everything I could to hold back tears.
Guest Johnny Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 They are running way too fast for the size of the track! Terrible thing to have happen. Godspeed Dan Wheldon.
Jon Cole Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Nothing he could have done... to avoid the crash. RIP
Harry P. Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 I guess I'm in the minority here, but it's hard to have a lot of sympathy for the guy. I mean, the possibility of dying in a crash is a big part of racing, and everyone who races is taking that risk voluntarily. I know, I know... I sound like a heartless jerk, but people who intentionally choose dangerous and risky activities (racing, rock climbing, skydiving, etc.) know the risk they're taking... but they do it anyway. I don't know... does that make me a heartless jerk?
Draggon Posted October 16, 2011 Author Posted October 16, 2011 No, Harry, your not a jerlk, just mosconcieved. If I had to choose a way to die, this would be it! Seriously, I have considerable medical problems, and to die in a racecar, doing what I loved, how much better could it get?
Evil Appetite Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 I guess I'm in the minority here, but it's hard to have a lot of sympathy for the guy. I mean, the possibility of dying in a crash is a big part of racing, and everyone who races is taking that risk voluntarily. I know, I know... I sound like a heartless jerk, but people who intentionally choose dangerous and risky activities (racing, rock climbing, skydiving, etc.) know the risk they're taking... but they do it anyway. I don't know... does that make me a heartless jerk? Nope...not in my opinion...unless I'm a heartless jerk as well. It' really is too bad..Those are the risks
Guest Johnny Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Harry, one might say your timing is a little off seeing it has only been a short time since his passing. You might have given it a day or two before starting a conversation on this particular part of what happened. Like people in so many others in this and sports and even some hobbies (like sky diving, surfing, etc.) he was living on the edge!
Lunajammer Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 The blessing is I doubt he ever knew the severity of his wreck. Listen to Johnny, Harry. Everybody who knows and participates in thrill sports acknowledges the possibility of the worst. It's not an original thought and doesn't make you a jerk. Blurting it out while people are still in shock and mourning is what make you heartless. It's simple respect for the victim and those who cared. The sort that is tossed aside with such ease these days.
Dr. Cranky Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Gee, Harry, are you an insurance underwriter? LOL.
niteowl7710 Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 and to die in a racecar, doing what I loved, how much better could it get? I'm sorry but I would rather die almost any way other than doing what I enjoy. I mean really, I'm enjoying it, I'm happy, why would I want to die THEN? I want to die when I'm having a miserable day at work so my last coherent thought can be "Well at least that's over"...
MikeMc Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 I guess I'm in the minority here, but it's hard to have a lot of sympathy for the guy. I mean, the possibility of dying in a crash is a big part of racing, and everyone who races is taking that risk voluntarily. I know, I know... I sound like a heartless jerk, but people who intentionally choose dangerous and risky activities (racing, rock climbing, skydiving, etc.) know the risk they're taking... but they do it anyway. I don't know... does that make me a heartless jerk? You will have to answer that sir...I only hope you don't have any LEO in the family.
mikemodeler Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 Using your theory Harry, did the 343 Firefighters that died on 9/11 not deserve our sympathy? What about their families and friends? What if you were killed driving home in your Mustang on 294 and you were speeding? Would that not be a tragedy to your family? Yes, Dan Wheldon died in a very dangerous sport and knew the risks but like most race car drivers probably thought it wouldn't happen to him. My sympathies go out to his friends and family, especially his two young children who have been cheated by his death.
niteowl7710 Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 Well maybe he can clear up his position, but he never said he didn't have sympathy for his friends and family. But what's the point of having sympathy for him, the 343 firefighters or anyone else for that matter. They're DEAD, they don't care one way or another, seeing as they have ceased to exist on this plane of reality. Funerals, Memorials, Remembrances, and all of that are for the living.
Tony T Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 I just found out about Dan Wheldon's passing. An horrific crash with a terrible result. My thoughts and prayers to all involved, particularly his parents, wife and two children. R.I.P. Dan.
bandit1 Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) I just found out about Dan Wheldon's passing. An horrific crash with a terrible result. My thoughts and prayers to all involved, particularly his parents, wife and two children. R.I.P. Dan. SO LONG DANNY! YOU WILL BE MISSED! ONE OF THE GREATEST DRIVERS OF ALL TIME ON MY LIST! (EMOTICON INDICATING TRYING TO HOLD BACK THE TEAR'S!) go's here! BIG E FAN 4 LIFE! Edited October 17, 2011 by bandit1
CAL Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) Why not a fan of open wheel racing, its sad to see any race car driver lose their live, I started watching the race an hour into the red flag( not knowing about the wreck) . My thoughts and prayers go out to Dan's wife and family, and what a very touching five lap tribute to him, I did everything I could to hold back tears. I don't think open wheel has anything to do with it. There has not been a death in Formula 1 since Ratzenberger and Aryton Senna during the 1994 San Marino GP weekend, and before that you'd have go all the way back to 1986 when Elio de Angelis was killed during a test session. Indy car, you only have to go back to 2006. It is still sad to hear when ever a driver loses his life. Edited October 17, 2011 by CAL
Harry P. Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 Well maybe he can clear up his position, but he never said he didn't have sympathy for his friends and family. Well, let's see if I can explain myself. First of all, cops and firemen are different from face car drivers. Cops and firemen risk their lives every day in order to protect the rest of us. Race car drivers, and others who do dangerous stuff like skydiving, take a risk not to benefit me or society in general... they take risks for their own personal excitement, or to feed their own personal need for thrills. Now, I'm not saying that a race car driver is a bad guy. I'm not saying he doesn't have every right to put his life on the line, if that's what he wants to do, because he does have that right. If he's willing to risk death in exchange for getting his kicks, more power to him. Who am I to say that he's wrong? And I'm not saying that he "got what he deserved," or anything like that. Obviously, his death is not a good thing in any way. But I can't really get too shook up about a guy who died because he chose to live a risky lifestyle for nothing more than his own personal satisfaction. He knew the risks, he did it anyway, and he paid the price. Sure it's sad, sure it was a terrible tragedy. Just don't ask me to cry for him. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it's just how I feel.
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