Wheldon started the race from the back of the field and was charging when several cars touched and collided ahead of him. His spotter told him to go low but he rear-ended another car, and his Dallara flew into the air.
The No. 77 car hit the safety barriers upside down at very a high speed and Wheldon's head most probably hit the concrete wall or the steel debris fence.
Wheldon's injuries were so bad that there was little that the doctors could do to save him. He was pronounced dead a short while later and officials were informed two hours after the initial crash.
Mrs Susie Wheldon and their two sons, 2-year-old Sebastian, and six-month-old Oliver, are understood to have been at his bedside when he died, as well as his two brothers and a sister. Dan Wheldon will be sorely missed.
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| Dan Wheldon moments before the Las Vergas start. (Photo: Getty Images/IndyCar) |
DAN WHELDON, 1978 - 2011
1978: Born in Olney, Buckinghamshire on June 22
1982: Started kart racing
1999: Wins U.S. F2000 championship and wins 'Rookie of the Year'
2000: Becomes Toyota Atlantic 'Rookie of the Year'
2001: Wins CART Dayton Indy Lights 'Rookie of the Year'
2002: Makes IndyCar debut with Panther Racing
2003: Wins IndyCar 'Rookie of the Year' for Andretti Green Racing
2004: Finishes second in the points standings for the season
2005: Wins the Indianapolis 500 race. Claims IndyCar drivers' championship in second full season
2006: Finishes runner-up in the drivers' championship
2009: Finishes second at Indianapolis 500 after starting from 18th
2010: Comes second again at Indianapolis 500
2011: Joins Bryan Herta Autosport after leaving Panther Racing
May - Wins Indianapolis 500
October 16 – Tragically killed in final IndyCar race of the season at Las Vegas.