Indy 500 winner Wheldon dies after massive crash in Vegas

Indy 500 winner Wheldon dies after massive crash in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnarled in a fiery 15-car pileup on Lap 13, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2.

The 33-year-old racer was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, including this year’s race.

Three other drivers, including championship contender Will Power, were hurt in the pileup.

Weldon was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center; about two hours later, his colleagues were told of his death.

“IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,” IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race.”

In his honor, drivers took part in a five-lap salute around the oval.

IndyCar has not had a fatality since Paul Dana was killed at Homestead in 2006. He died after a crash in a morning warmup.

It was Wheldon’s 134th career start, but only the third of the season for the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.