Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon dies in Las Vegas race

English Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon, pictured below, has died in a massive 15 car Indy crash. He was one of the most popular drivers in American open wheel racing. He leaves behind a wife and 2 sons.

From ESPN:

 Dan Wheldon, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the most popular drivers in open-wheel racing, died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific multi-car crash only 11 laps into the IndyCar Series season finale.

Officials decided to call the race, but the drivers did a five-lap tribute to Wheldon. IndyCar Series CEORandy Bernard made the officials announcmeent of Wheldon's death without further comment.

"IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries," Bernard said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor."

Sources:

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/7111712/dan-wheldon-dies-following-indycar-crash-vegas

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/indycar/story/2011-10-15/Dan-Wheldon-frustrated-with-car-in-Las-Vegas/50786654/1

http://www.danwheldon.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Wheldon

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/10/16/wheldon-seriously-injured-in-massive-indycar-crash-at-vegas/

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Update, it gets sadder - http://jalopnik.com/5850574/did-dan-wheldon-and-his-wife-get-matching-tattoos-the-night-before-his-deadly-crash