Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic death of IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon.
Just 4 ½ months after winning the Indianapolis 500 for the second time (also won in 2005), Wheldon was killed on Oct. 16, 2011 in a massive 15-car crash during the then-IZOD IndyCar season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The English native was just 33 years old.
Wheldon’s car went airborne and he was killed almost instantly when his head struck a pole that supported part of the catchfence on the backstretch of the track. The official cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma. The race was immediately red flagged and never resumed out of respect to Wheldon and his family, although a five-lap tribute occurred later that afternoon.
Sadly, on the morning of his death and before the race, Wheldon had signed a multi-year contract to race for Andretti Autosport beginning in 2012. Wheldon had won both the 2005 Indy 500 and that season’s IndyCar championship in a previous stint with the Andretti organization.
Although it’s been five years since his passing, Wheldon’s memory is still alive. A number of drivers and fans, as well as Wheldon’s sister Holly, took to social media on Sunday to remember him. Here are a few of those posts:
#Lionheart 5 years on. The memories never fade, his passion will never be forgotten, and his love for @indycar and it’s fans is unrivaled.
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) October 16, 2016
This picture never gets old. "Hey Doug! Take my picture with me!" Hard to believe we lost this 2x 500 winner & great guy 5 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/D3jjm5Q1Xa
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) October 16, 2016
Got this on the morning of my first Indy 500 and has been on my wrist ever since. Miss you Dan #Lionheart pic.twitter.com/7beSqSqVS9
— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) October 16, 2016
Thinking of DW this morning. #Lionheart pic.twitter.com/yhzu5IDqYz
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) October 16, 2016
An unforgettable lost, mistakes to not forget and ever be repeated, a soul to always remember… https://t.co/2PKcQBN2Zv
— Oriol Servia (@OriolServia) October 16, 2016
So great to see all the fabulous tributes to Dan today. Can't believe it's been 5 years… https://t.co/QCKshfyf0C
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) October 16, 2016
So hard to believe it’s been 5 years since the passing of @danwheldon Live every day. @dariofranchitti @TonyKanaan xo pic.twitter.com/TvoYXnF9Do
— Scott Borchetta (@scottborchetta) October 16, 2016
@danwheldon in your honor today, your final tweet on this date .... https://t.co/1pKkiRO0vl
— John Lopes (@JLo_CMO) October 16, 2016
#DreamTeam ❤️ RT @dariofranchitti: So great to see all the fabulous tributes to Dan today. Can't believe it's been 5 years... pic.twitter.com/8rg23KWmrC
— Holly Wheldon (@hollywheldon) October 16, 2016
To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the tragic passing of @danwheldon, Sam Schmidt shares his memories: https://t.co/uErEVGNV5Y #INDYCAR
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) October 16, 2016
I miss u @danwheldon #foreverinourhearts https://t.co/jcotZr0Bm9
— Max Papis (@maxpapis) October 16, 2016
Close out this race day thinking of my late friend Dan Wheldon. Think of him often-mostly with laughs along with a funny story! #Lionheart
— Kurt Culbert (@KurtCulbert) October 16, 2016
#RIP Dan Wheldon pic.twitter.com/9dWrtx0Igq
— Andrew (@Basso488) October 16, 2016
5 years later, 2-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon's death still lingers in the IndyCar Series. Via @AllisonLCarter https://t.co/BBv2CcJYd6
— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) October 16, 2016
Thinking of our friend, a true champion, and an outstanding ambassador of @ims, Dan Wheldon and his family and friends today. #Lionheart pic.twitter.com/48jbpJqaK9
— IMS Museum 🏁 (@IMSMuseum) October 16, 2016
We lost @danwheldon five years ago today! #RIPDan pic.twitter.com/p6tdR8c49j
— IndyCar Transporter (@Indys18Wheels) October 16, 2016
He lives on through his loving family, many friends, and auto racing fans. 5 years ago we lost @danwheldon #Lionheart #LiveOn pic.twitter.com/GpOgHCFO8p
— Kathy (@KatblossIndy) October 16, 2016
Another year passes, & it doesn't hurt any less. Still miss you, Danny boy @danwheldon @IndyCar #lionheart pic.twitter.com/7SOm2dbmBG
— Ashley (@AshleyPuskarich) October 17, 2016
Loved to watch @danwheldon race. Special talent and special guy. Watching him celebrate his 2011 Indy 500 win something I'll never forget. https://t.co/adZHCa0ndG
— Fully Vaccinated DB (@DaveBate) October 17, 2016
I was a huge @danwheldon fan.It still hurts as bad today as it did when it happened,still doesn't seem possible.He was a great young man
— Linda (@IndyLinda1414) October 16, 2016