Driving a streamlined car in 1932 nicknamed the catfish stubby set a mile record at 147. Dan wheldon killed in 15car accident at las vegas motor speedway circuit british driver dan wheldon has been killed following a 15. Andrettis uncle is former indy 500 winner mario andretti, and he is the cousin of former racers michael and jeff andretti. The first driver fatality that occurred in the formula one series was that of cameron earl. Deadly may of 1973 still resonates at indianapolis motor.
This was the second death in indy car racing this season. The premier series of nascar has seen 28 driver fatalities, the most recent of which occurred in february 2001 when dale earnhardt was killed during the daytona 500. Debris from karams car hit exformula 1 driver wilson, 37, and the andretti autosport driver crashed into a wall. Formula racing is any of several forms of openwheeled singleseater motorsport. In 1905 the aaa established the national driving championship. Apr 7, 2015 the remains of jim clarks car after his fatal crash photo. The coroner said james wither iii, 52, of duboistown died after smashing into a pole at the.
Crashed into tire wall and hit by another car on driver s side door. Nears 17,000 coronavirusrelated deaths, cases top 463k. Car owner lindsey hopkins, left, and driver gary bettenhausen share a moment after bettenhausen qualified for the indianapolis 500 mile race with a speed of 190. Jeff krosnoffs car spun, smashed and scattered today, killing the 31yearold driver and a course worker with three laps left in the toronto molson indy auto race. May 22, 2018 car owner lindsey hopkins, left, and driver gary bettenhausen share a moment after bettenhausen qualified for the indianapolis 500 mile race with a speed of 190. Indianapolis motor speedway deaths indy motor speedway. Weatherly was desperate to find a ride so he could compete in his first indy 500.
The race was only minutes old when wheldon, who started at the back of. May 21, 2016 as indy celebrates its 100th race on may 29, the associated press looks back at some of the worst crashes over the past century. All the fatal accidents of the indy 500 in history. Mar 29, 2018 at this race, however, came the first of many deaths at the indy 500, and the circuits seventh up to that point, when a riding mechanic was flung from a damaged car at speed. As with all motorsports, formula one has witnessed fatal accidents. A separate list compiles drivers who have died of a medical condition while driving or shortly thereafter and another section shows non driver deaths.
Perhaps the strongest pure driver on this list, stewart led his first 500 by more than a lap with only nine to go when his lola car broke down. Indycar driver dan wheldon was killed in a 2011 crash at las vegas. List of deaths due to car accidents at the indianapolis 500. David steele, a veteran race car driver who won several sprint car series championships and competed in indycar and nascar races, was killed in a wreck during a sprint car race saturday night at. Some of the worst crashes in indianapolis 500 history the. This article lists the people who have been fatally injured in american championship car racing during testing, practice, qualifying, or races since 1916, categorized into drivers, riding mechanics, and nonparticipants. As abc news josh elliott noted, even the tiniest mistake can touch.
Championship race car drivers that died at tracks other than indy. Jan 14, 2010 all the fatal accidents of the indy 500 in history. A grim reminder of the darkness of the boardtrack era of the 1920s. The race was only minutes old when wheldon, who started at the back of the 34 car field and. Aug 28, 2019 race car driver jessi combs, who earned the title of fastest woman on four wheels after she set a record with a jetpowered car, died tuesday while trying to beat a land speed record, officials. Niki lauda, champion racecar driver who survived fiery.
They used that same board during the race to signal. Seventime nascar cup champion interested in racing an indy car next season. Race car driver david steele killed in florida speedway. In addition, several famous racing drivers have been killed in public road. May 18, 2016 perhaps the strongest pure driver on this list, stewart led his first 500 by more than a lap with only nine to go when his lola car broke down.
This was the second death in indycar racing this season. Dan wheldon, 33, became the first driver to be killed in an indycar wreck since paul dana was killed back in march of 2006 at homesteadmiami speedway when he was killed in a massive 15car wreck. Two killed, one injured in toronto indycar crash the. Top 50 race car drivers celebrity net worth richest. Jan 30, 2020 home news notable deaths john andretti. When weatherly qualified the car, the team signalled love and kisses on the black chalk board. Oct 16, 2011 indycar driver dan wheldon died following a massive 15 car wreck during sundays las vegas indy 300. Driver got his ntt indycar series start with bobby rahals team in 2016.
Indianapolis john andretti, a member of one of auto racings most famous families and the first driver to attempt the indianapolis 500 and nascars 600mile race in north carolina on the same. Indianapolis motor speedway, prestolite trophy race, race, suffered a. Race driver frank galvin lost control of his racer, smashed through the guard rail and. Justins elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness. Wheldon was a twotime indianapolis 500 winner, winning the race in 2005 and becoming the first driver to win it after leading only the final lap in 2011 when he passed the wrecked lead car of j. The worst day of niki laudas life, he always said, was not aug. His younger brother stefan is an accomplished race car driver who has competed in the verizon indycar series and indy lights. Indycar driver justin wilson died monday night from a head injury suffered when a piece of debris struck him at pocono raceway.
Texas indycar race adds genesys sponsorship hinchcliffe to drive andretti autosports no. His car was sheared virtually in half, and he was sent hurtling into the turn 1 wall. The heavily wooded section of the track where the crash happened had few spectators or witnesses. Indy 500 deaths the incredible crash of driver swede. The most recent driver to be killed in an indycar series event was justin wilson at the 2015 abc supply 500. Memories of deaths in legendary race still linger 40 years later. Death a grim chapter in storied history of the indy 500. The lists show indycar or champ car fatalities that occurred in events making up the national championship, which has been held by the following sanctioning bodies. Driver, date of crash, sanction, track, event, teamowner, carentry. As indy celebrates its 100th race on may 29, the associated press looks back at some of the worst crashes over the past century. It includes drivers who were killed immediately, as well as those who were not killed immediately but succumbed to their injuries some time later. Boles remembers the the pride he felt for a westside native when andretti got. Lorenzo bandini f1 crash motorcycle logo car purchase f1 drivers f1 racing car and driver indy cars motor boats.
May 26, 2016 the threat of a driver death still looms in an openwheel race. Read 9 most tragic auto racing deaths and other more, sports lists articles from total pro sports. Today we look at these brave drivers who died doing what they love. Indycar made the announcement at indianapolis motor speedw. Death a grim chapter in the storied history of the indianapolis 500.
List of fatalities at the indianapolis motor speedway wikipedia. Indianapolis john andretti, a member of one of auto racings most famous families and the first driver to attempt the indianapolis 500 and. He was leading the race when his car left the track at 5 mph and crashed into a. Dan wheldon, a twotime indy 500 champion, was killed in a 2011 race in las vegas and driver justin wilson died from injuries. May 21, 20 memories of deaths in legendary race still linger 40 years later. Top 15 worst crashes in motorsport history thesportster. Indycar drivers who died racing indy motor speedway. He was a great race car driver, but he was our great race car driver. If there is a crash during a race, traditionally the yellow flag comes out and cars drive under caution until the situation is sorted out. A separate list compiles drivers who have died of a medical condition while driving or shortly thereafter and another section shows nondriver deaths. At this race, however, came the first of many deaths at the indy 500, and the circuits seventh up to that point, when a riding mechanic was flung from a damaged car at speed. On that day, he was the reigning formula one racecar driver in the world and seemed well on his way to winning his.
The exact cause of this accident of the worlds best driver was never clearly established. Driver, date of crash, sanction, track, event, teamowner, car. Jeff krosnoffs car spun, smashed and scattered today, killing the 31yearold driver and a course worker with three laps left in the toronto molsonindy auto race. The list covers deaths that occurred on the national championship trail. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up for wilson children. Jessi combs, race car driver and fastest woman on four. The threat of a driver death still looms in an openwheel race. Sixtythreeyearold race car driver david richardson bought a head and neck restraint.
Notable deaths in motor sports the past five years usa today. Most recently, driver scott brayton, who had wonthe pole position, died due to a skull fracture sustained during a practice run while testing a backup car in 1996. Never ever s1 e3 there will never ever be another driver like dale. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of auto racing, many individuals, including. Deadly may of 1973 still resonates at indianapolis motor speedway. Race car driver david steele killed in florida speedway wreck. Englewood speedway, unknown, race, car burst into flames and slammed into the pit wall entrance. Indianapolis raceway park, race, crashed into a guardrail. Champ car, now called indycar, was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in american championship car racing for many decades, associated primarily with the indianapolis 500. Patrick bedard, a former writer for car and driver magazine.
Aug 08, 2016 notable driver deaths in the past five years. Stewart returned in the 1970s to add his brogue and race cred to abcs indy 500. List of race car drivers who did not make it out of indy in. Most recently, driver scott brayton, who had won the pole position, died due to a skull fracture sustained during a practice run while testing a backup car in 1996. May 22, 2019 a total of 23 drivers have been killed during practice or qualifying runs at the indy 500. May 22, 2018 deaths before the indy 500 was created.
Famed race car driver john andretti has lost his battle with cancer and passed away thursday, andretti autosport confirmed on twitter. This is a category for racing drivers who were killed while driving a racing car, either in competition or during testing. Williamsport a driver was killed saturday in a crash during an indy kart race in williamsport. This article lists drivers who have been fatally injured while competing in or in preparation for testing, practice, qualifying races sanctioned by the national association for stock car auto racing nascar. Jan 30, 2020 famed race car driver john andretti has lost his battle with cancer and passed away thursday, andretti autosport confirmed on twitter. Racing aces like michael schumacher, lewis hamilton and dale earnhardt jr. All fatalities are related to championship car races at the speedway unless. Dan wheldon killed in 15 car accident at las vegas motor speedway circuit british driver dan wheldon has been killed following a 15 car accident at the las vegas 300 indycar series.
Race car driver jessi combs, who earned the title of fastest woman on four wheels after she set a record with a jetpowered car, died tuesday while trying to beat a land speed record, officials. Indy car racing indy cars road racing f1 crash old race cars sprint cars vintage race car car and driver race day tim griffin f1 images kyalami gp 1977 tom pryces shadow after an aimless last run, is accidentally hit by patrick detailers ligier. During the 1964 indy 500 driver dave macdonald reportedly had a very fast but unstable car. Williams grove speedway, 10lap big car race, heat race.
After coming ohsoclose in the 1992 indianapolis 500, scott goodyear pulled away from the field in the final greenflag stint to win the 1992 marlboro 500 at michigan international speedway watch video apr 9, 2020 indycar. He was killed while working as an english racing automobiles team technical consultant. List of fatalities at the indianapolis motor speedway. Other drivers reported that macdonald was taking risks and that his car seemed a. The same day that allan simonsen died at the 20 running of the 24 hours of le mans, twotime german vln endurance racing champion wolf silvester died because of a heart attack suffered during the vln race at the nurburgring. Indycar driver dan wheldon died following a massive 15car wreck during sundays las vegas indy 300. Most recently, driver scott brayton, who had won the pole. May 25, 2016 death a grim chapter in the storied history of the indianapolis 500. A tire from a crashed race car was struck by another race car, launching it over the catch fence and striking lyle kurtenbach. Top sprint car driver bryan clauson died one day after a crash while leading the belleville midget nationals in kansas.
Then the flying scot moved onand won three f1 world championships. List of deaths due to car accidents at the indianapolis 500 betfirm. Some of the worst crashes in indianapolis 500 history. Without a doubt, one of the saddest fatal crashes in nascar history has to be the 2001 daytona 500 racethe very race that ended up taking nascar legend dale earnhardts life. An account has been established on behalf of the wilson family. The following is a list of 73 individuals killed at the indianapolis motor speedway. John had a huge career that included wins in cart, imsa gtp, r. He managed to talk leon duray into letting him use the rebuilt hannon car. On september 17, 1922 roscoe sarles, a respected racer with six aaa feature wins. The remains of jim clarks car after his fatal crash photo. Oct 17, 2011 read 9 most tragic auto racing deaths and other more, sports lists articles from total pro sports. Wickens eyes indycars next virtual race, saturday at barber. Aug 24, 2015 wilson is survived by his wife, julia, and two daughters.