Here's the early version of the wreck in the Vegas IndyCar race...
((HT: IndyCar/youtube/ESPN))
Dan Wheldon is listed as seriously injured on lap 11 of 200...
The field is an uncharacteristically large 34 cars for the last race of their 2011 season. And, as you heard on the play-by-play, speed plus dirty air equals what went down for 15 cars...
Paul Tracy, who was involved in the wreck, said a team of doctors were working on Wheldon. A helicopter lifted off from the speedway, but there was no indication if Wheldon was onboard.
Wheldon was in line to win $5 million had he won the race.
More when we know more...
1715 UPDATE: Wheldon was taken by a Mercy Air helicopter from the race and airlifted to UNLV Medical Center. IndyCar Director of Competition Brian Barnhart has called a drivers meeting for an immediate time table in the Media Center.
Danica Patrick, on her way to the meeting, started to cry and could not answer questions.
Some drivers have expressed a concern about continuing the race because of conditions with speeds in excess of 224 MPH.
1745 UPDATE: A press conference audience has been assembled on the second floor of the speedway media center- no timetable has been set for any kind of announcement on any and all topics in the air at the moment...
The meeting between drivers and owners has concluded and no drivers will be addressing the media...
1800 UPDATE: At a press conference held by IndyCar officials, Barnhart announced that Wheldon has died as a result of the injuries from "unsurvivable injury."
The Vegas race will end with a 5-lap salute in his honor... according to a statement from CEO Randy Barnard, the 2011 Indy 500 race winner...
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