Last year, Stefan Wilson made his debut in the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil as part of an entry supported by the Indiana Donor Network and Gap Guard, in an emotional entry. He’d always dreamed of racing in the event with older brother Justin, but that dream went away after Justin’s accident in August 2015 at Pocono Raceway.
Alas, Wilson held onto the third KV Racing Technology Chevrolet as best he could but was never in with a proper shout at success. He retired past the halfway mark with electrical issues.
Wilson, now 27, and his team were working towards a second appearance in the race this year and were close to a deal with Andretti Autosport. But just in recent days, this has changed, with a rather seismic announcement coming Wednesday morning that Fernando Alonso will be racing in this year’s event.
Wilson first poked a bit of fun at the announcement with his first tweet this morning:
Sooo....what I miss? pic.twitter.com/WgrC3ybOG2
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
He then expanded on it in a series of other tweets, to follow a story done overnight by NBCSN contributor Robin Miller for RACER.com.
I love the history of @ims. Happy to see @McLarenF1 return to the speedway after 38 y's. Congrats @ZBrownCEO, @indycar @Honda & all involved
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
As a @McLarenF1 YDOTY Award Winner in 2007, glad I was able to do my part to help @McLarenF1, @alo_oficial, & @ZBrownCEO be in the Indy 500
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
Don't discount how much this race means to me. I'll be working hard as an ambassador for my sponsors in May '17 and looking forward to 2018
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
This was a decision that was for the greater good of my sponsors(@INDonorNetwork & @BuyGapGuard), @IndyCar, @IMS, and the Indianapolis 500
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
Also, so pumped for @MichaelShankRac! Would have been a fun month together, but over the moon that you have your shot in the Indy 500!
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) April 12, 2017
More to come on this angle of the story on NBCSports.com in the coming days.