LAS VEGAS — 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.

A said day for auto racing.

Dan Wheldon loved oval track racing, which was a surprise for many since

he grew up driving on road courses. He was very likable, I met him at Kansas Speedway,

and he always was great to the fans. His win this year at Indy was a shocker, he was driving

in a one race deal, hardly a ideal situation when you have to go against the super teams.

If you watched the race, you noticed his car ran with the #98. This was in Honor

of longtime Ascot promoter, and Indy owner J.C. Agajanian. The Southern

California Owner was charismatic like Wheldon , and was a larger than life

personality in racing from the 1940's-1980's. His first win at Indy in 1952 with Troy Ruttman,

was the last win at Indy, for a Upright Dirt Car, also known as a "Big Car", which

later became the Championship Dirt Car Series. J.C. won again in 1963 with

Parnelli Jones in his Watson they called "Old Calhoun" one of the last two

roadsters to win at the Brickyard. The #98 tradition was kept alive at Indy over the

years by other drivers, including Billy Boat, and Jone's son P.J.

Dan Wheldon was cut out of the same cloth, and was a great driver,

as well as a great person.

Ray C