I had tickets for the race today, but flew to Orlando for business instead. For selfish reasons, I am glad I didn't go to the race now.
Hours before the race, Wheldon had signed a multi-year deal with Andretti to replace Danica Patrick. Since the Indy 500, Wheldon had done ALL of the development work on the much-anticipated 2012 Dallara new car for next season, which would have given him a tremendous leg up on the competition. 2012 was shaping up to be a great year for Dan Wheldon. His second child was just born in March of this year. My heart breaks for his wife and 2 kids.
If anyone went to the race today, LVMS is giving a full refund for all tickets, see
Las Vegas Motor Speedway for details.
And as a minor, nee insignificant point of clarification from earlier in the thread, it was easy for Dan to turn down BMW-Sauber's F1 offer in 2006, as it was to be the team's 3rd driver, not an actual race seat ... so staying with Chip Ganassi and getting paid to race was a no-brainer.
Lastly, the thing I will remember most about Dan Wheldon is how LOVED America, and did everything he could to "Americanize" himself. He was British to the core, but loved living here and was always grateful for all of the opportunities that America presented to him. And what a great smile. Another one gone too soon. RIP.