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Everybody in the IndyCar series considered him a friend. Within seconds, several cars burst into flames and debris covered the track nearly halfway up the straightaway. Rescue workers were at Wheldon's car quickly, some furiously waving for more help to get to the scene.
Despite winning this year's Indy 500, Wheldon couldn't put together a full-time ride this season. Driver Dan Wheldon is transported to a medical helicopter following a crash during the IndyCar Series' Las Vegas Indy 300 auto race Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Las Vegas. An autopsy was planned Monday for Wheldon.
The accident appeared to start when Wade Cunningham's car swerved on the track and Hildebrand drove over the left rear of Cunningham's car. Hildebrand appeared to go airborne, and Cunningham's car shot up into the wall, setting off a chain reaction among the cars behind him.
Some of those cars slowed, others didn't, and others spun in front of Wheldon and Power. Wheldon then appeared to drive over a car driven by Toronto's Paul Tracy, who seemed to be slowing down. Wheldon, however, went airborne and spun into the fence.
The track was red-flagged following the accidents while crews worked on fences and removed smashed cars.
