NASCAR Community on the Passing Of Dan Wheldon

On a sunny, Sunday afternoon, IZOD IndyCar Nation was set to run the final race of the 2011 Season at Las Vegas. It was suppose to be a day where excitement and joy was going to happen, but it would end in tragedy early in the race. Just 11 laps of the 200 lap event, a horrific multi-car crash occurred in Turn 1, taking out several cars in the field. Dan Wheldon made contact with another car and flew straight into the catchfence. At 1:19pm local time, Wheldon was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Sadly, roughly two hours after he was airlifted, it was announced that Wheldon did not survive the crash, he was only 33. The remainder of the race was cancelled and the rest of the field did a 5 lap tribute to their fellow driver.

The passing hit the NASCAR Community pretty good. Not every driver, team, etc. could be listed here (via Twitter):

- Rick Allen: "Sports are entertaining because they spark emotions... this is the one emotion you never want to feel. God Bless Dan Wheldon's family"

- Aric Almirola: "Very sad to watch the salute of Dan Wheldon. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. My God be with them!"

- Marcos Ambrose: "Our thoughts & prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family & all those in Las Vegas. Very sad day."

- Tim Andrews: "Racing is family no matter what series it hurts to lose a champion. Praying for the Wheldons and the Indy car families."

- Trevor Bayne: "I'm sick to my stomach now over Dan Wheldon. I just hung out w. him a month ago and he was such an awesome guy with so much life in him"

- T.J. Bell: "My heart hurts so bad right now. Dan was a great teammate and will never be forgotten"

- Todd Bodine: "Our thoughts and prayers go out Dan Wheldon his family and friends. We will say a prayer for all of you."

- Jason Bowles: "I'm sick to my stomach think about what a sad day this is for motorsports. My thoughts go out to Dan's family"

- Colin Braun: "Very sad to hear the news about Dan. Was so happy for him to win Indy. Thoughts are with his family."

- Kurt Busch: "Our prayers are with the Dan Wheldon family. This is a terrible day in racing"

- Kyle Busch: "The loss of Dan Wheldon affects the whole racing community. May all our thoughts and prayers be with his family. He will be missed!"

- Samantha Busch (Kyle Busch's wife): "No words to even explain this moment. My heart goes out to all of Dan Wheldon's family, friends, and everyone in the racing community."

- Ricky Carmichael: "So unfair. Godspeed Dan Wheldon"

- Landon Cassill: "This is tragic"

- Bryan Clauson: "Tough to hear the news my stomach knew 2hrs ago he was a champion not only in motorsport but in life a great driver and a better guy. RIP Dan"

- Brad Coleman: "I can't believe it. Sick to my stomach right now. My deepest prayers and thoughts are with Dan's family."

- Joey Coulter: "I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to Dan Wheldon, his family & friends. He was an amazing racer & person, taken too soon."

- Matt Crafton: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of Dan Wheldon tonight. He will be missed."

- Austin Dillon: "My prayers are with the Wheldon family. When a tragedy like this happens, it really shows what matters in life."

- Chad Finley: "As racecar drivers, we know the risk, but love for the sport overpowers that risk. We're all one family, and today we lost a member"

- J.R. Fitzpatrick: "Those IndyCar that did those 5 laps in honor of Dan Wheldon are my heroes.. That must have been tough for everyone"

- Brendan Gaughan: "Had lunch with him (Wheldon) on Wednesday. What we choose to do is dangerous. Everyone give your family a hug today and tell them you love them"

- David Gilliland: "Our prayers are with Dan's family. So sad"

- Jeff Gordon: "Spent a little time with Dan Wheldon several years ago in Paris for Race of Champions. Great guy, great driver. Will certainly be missed"

- Robby Gordon: "Very very sad. Have no words"

- Denny Hamlin: "Today was a reminder to all of us what can happen every time we strap in behind the wheel. At times, I think we all take things for granted. Life shouldn't be one of those things. We lost a great driver in motorsports and he will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace Dan Wheldon"

- Kevin Hamlin: "Crossed paths w/ Dan a few times when we were both at Ganassi. Great guy. Another soul taken too soon, Rest in Peace..

- DeLana Harvick (Kevin Harvick's wife): "Its chilling to watch the salute to Dan Wheldon by his IndyCar competitors."

- Kevin Harvick: "Terrible day in racing... RIP Dan Wheldon"

- Hendrick Motorsports: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family at this time. Tragic news."

- Ron Hornaday Jr.: "Just landed in Charlotte and and heard the bad news about Dan Wheldon. Our prayers go out to his family"

- Brian Ickler: "Horrible day in racing. Thoughts and prayers be with the Wheldon family"

- Jimmie Johnson: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the Wheldon family... My heart hurts for all the IRL community."

- Mike Joy: "Such great accomplishment... such enthusiasm... such talent... such a great smile... such a tragic loss. Such overwhelming sadness"

- Kasey Kahne: "All I can think about is Dan Wheldon. A great person and a great race car driver. We're all going to miss you Dan. Such a talent!"

- Brad Keselowski: "Nice touch with the 5 lap salute. Kudos to IndyCar, and most importantly, the Wheldon family"

- Parker Kligerman: "Thoughts and prayers are with the Wheldon family. Met Dan earlier this year, one of the nicest race car drivers ever. Devastated over this"

- Andy Lally: "Reminiscing: I think the rest of the night will be looking at old pictures, even watchin some old VHS tapes. So sorry for Dan & his family"

- Charles Lewandowski: "Prayers are with frirnds and family of Dan Wheldon. Classy move by IRL and its teams with the laps in his honor."

- Jamie Little: " We lost a great one today... Dan Wheldon, we love you.

- Justin Lofton: "My thoughts and prayers to Dan Wheldon's family, friends, and team. Godspeed. Enjoyed our talks. You will be missed."


- Joey Logano: "Thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family and friends"

- Jason Leffler: "God speed, Dan Wheldon!"

- Justin Marks: "Rest in peace my friend"

- Eric McClure: "My heart aches for the Wheldon family"

- Michael Waltrip Racing: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family and the entire IndyCar Community"

- Miss Sprint Cup: "Our deepest thoughts and prayers go to Dan Wheldon's family and friends and the entire racing community tonight"

- Juan Pablo Montoya: "Life is not fair... we are gonna miss a really great guy. Dan, we are gonna miss you."

- Joe Nemechek: "A sad day for racing, we lost Dan Wheldon today, Our prayers are with your family"

- Ryan Newman: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dan Wheldon. He will truly be missed throughout the racing community"

- Max Papis: "I will miss you forever Dan Wheldon, forever"

- Chris Myers: "Sad loss... Dan Wheldon... rest in peace... a special driver"

- Miguel Paludo: "Really sad day!"

- Danica Patrick: "There are no words for today. Myself and so many others are devastated. I pray for Suzi and the kids that God will give them strength"

- Timothy Peters: "Thoughts and prayers to Wheldon's family"

- Kyle Petty: "My prayers are with Dan Wheldon's family, friends, and team... my hearts breaks all over again each and everytime our sport loses someone"

- Nelson Piquet Jr.: "Can't believe the news of Dan Wheldon. My prayers for his family and closer friends"

- Richard Childress Racing: "Rest in Peace, Dan"

- Elliott Sadler: "Thoughts and prayers to his family"

- Brian Scott: "Completely heartbroken by the loss of Dan Wheldon... I watched the coverage until I couldn't take it because of the fear of what had happened"

- Marty Smith: "There are no words. R.I.P Dan. Fantastic person"

- Regan Smith: "I have no words, R.I.P. Dan Wheldon, sad day for all motorsports"

- Amanda Speed (Scott Speed's wife): "Such a sad day... prayers to Dan's family and friends... My heart goes out to his wife and children."

- Scott Speed: "All I keep thinking about is how we can help his family! It's impossible to imagine what they must be going through right now. So damn sad"

- Stewart-Haas Racing: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family and friends"

- ThorSport Racing: "Godspeed Dan Wheldon - an amazing friend to TSR & "brother" to the 13 team as a Curb Records teammate. Rest in peace, prayers to your family, we mourn your loss & celebrate your life today."

- TRG Motorsports: "Rest in peace Dan Wheldon"

- Ryan Truex: "Sad day... R.I.P Dan Wheldon"

- Kenny Wallace: "I am watching ABC with you all, all i can think of is Dan Wheldon has a family. My prayers to his family."

- Steve Wallace: "I am devastated, thoughts and prayers go to his family"

- Darrell Waltrip: "With tears in my eyes and a sadness I can not describe, I pray for Dan, his sweet wife and children and his family, Stevie and I are so sorry"

- Michael Waltrip: "Sad day..."

- Cole Whitt: "R.I.P. Dan Wheldon. So sad to lose someone with so much talent"

- Rutledge Wood: "So sad. Praying for his family & friends & thinking of all his fans.

- J.J. Yeley: "This is the darkside of our sport. Prayers to the Wheldon family. A true loss to the sport of IndyCar and racing. R.I.P"

- Matt Yocum: "True champion and super nice guy"