Dan Wheldon in Gasoline Alley at Indianapolis 2007

Dan Wheldon at Indianapolis during week 2 qualifications 2007

Dan Wheldon signs autographs for fans following Pole Day qualifications for the 2007 Indianapolis 500.

Dan Wheldon consults with his team on Pole Day for the 2007 Indianapolis 500.

Daniel Clive Wheldon (born 22 June 1978 in Emberton, England) is a successful English auto racing driver. The 2005 Indy Racing League champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is playfully nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 417 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (427 × 613 pixel, file size: 56 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Dan Wheldon at Indianapolis 2007 I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 417 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (427 × 613 pixel, file size: 56 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Dan Wheldon at Indianapolis 2007 I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to be run on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 540 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (811 × 901 pixel, file size: 193 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Wheldon consults with his team on Pole Day at Indy, 2007. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 540 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (811 × 901 pixel, file size: 193 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Wheldon consults with his team on Pole Day at Indy, 2007. ... The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to be run on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ... June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Emberton is a village in north Buckinghamshire. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... Racing cars redirects here. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is the sanctioning body of a predominantly American based open-wheel racing series. ... “Indy 500” redirects here. ... Choleric is a temperament in the ancient medical theory of the four humours. ... Nickname: Floridas Sunshine City Location of the city proper in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Pinellas County Founded 1876 Incorporated February 29, 1892  - Mayor Rick Baker Area    - City  133. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

Career

Taking up karting at the age of four with funding from his father, Wheldon progressed through the junior ranks of motor racing during his school years. Attending Bedford School until he completed his GCSEs at age 16, he frequently took time off to race. During his early career in open wheel racing, he developed a rivalry with Jenson Button before ultimately leaving the United Kingdom to race in America. The reasoning behind the move was that the level of investment needed to fund his racing career in the UK wasn't able to be provided by his family.^[1] He once admitted that he preferred socialising in America than Britain because "it's easier to get laid".^[1] A kart racer takes a turn on an indoor track Kart racing (as the word is so spelled by enthusiasts) or karting is a variant of open-wheeler motor sport with simple, small four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. ... Bedford School is a public school for boys in Bedford, fifty miles north of London, England. ... GCSE is an acronym that can refer to: General Certificate of Secondary Education global common subexpression elimination - an optimisation technique used by some compilers This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Jenson Alexander Lyons Button, often called Jens, (born 19 January 1980) is a British Formula One racing driver from England. ...

Moving to the United States in 1999, he spent several years in lower open-wheeled circuits like the U.S. Ford Formula 2000 series, the Toyota Atlantic series and the Indy Lights series. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Modern Formula One Renault 1993 Indy Car Open wheel car is a term for cars, usually purpose built racecars, with the wheels located outside the cars main body, as distinct from cars which have their wheels below the body or fenders, in the manner of most street cars, stock... The Champ Car Atlantic Championship is an auto racing series with races throughout North America. ... The Indy Lights was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for CART from 1986 to 2001. ...

In 2002, Wheldon moved up to the Indy Racing League (IRL) for two events, with Panther Racing as teammate to Sam Hornish, Jr.. The following year Wheldon joined Andretti Green Racing, taking the spot of Michael Andretti following his retirement, and collected IRL Rookie of the Year honors. In 2004, he won his first IRL race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, ultimately finishing as runner-up to teammate Tony Kanaan in the championship with three wins. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is the sanctioning body of a predominantly American based open-wheel racing series. ... Panthers 2006 car driven by Vitor Meira Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Dario Franchittis car being pushed up to qualify for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. ... Andretti racing at Monterey, California, October 1991 Michael Mario Andretti (born October 5, 1962 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is an American semi-retired CART and Formula One driver. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Twin Ring Motegi is an automobile racing track located in Motegi, Japan. ... Tony Kanaan in a May 24, 2004 photo [[1]]. Tony Kanaan (born December 31, 1974) is a race car driver of Lebanese heritage from Salvador, Brazil. ...

In 2005, he won both the Indianapolis 500 and the IRL series championship. His six victories in 2005 also broke the record for most victories in one IRL season held by Sam Hornish Jr with 5. His win at Indy was the first for an Englishman since Graham Hill's triumph in 1966. "I was on Letterman, Good Morning America, I probably covered every state in terms of radio interviews, I threw the first pitch out for the Yankees, the Mets, the Cubs. I got in the car for a rest."^[1] But in November of 2005, it was announced that he would be driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IRL in 2006. Shortly after his first IRL test with Ganassi, he won the 24 Hours of Daytona with Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and Casey Mears. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Indy 500” redirects here. ... Norman Graham Hill, known as Graham Hill (February 15, 1929 - November 29, 1975) was an English racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. ... Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is a racing organization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. ... The Rolex 24 1/2 at Daytona (also frequently referred to as the 24 Hours of Daytona) is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... Scott Dixon, IRL photo Scott Ronald Dixon (born July 22, 1980) is a New Zealand racing car driver. ... Casey James Mears (born March 12, 1978 in Bakersfield, California) is the driver of the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports. ...

He began the season by beating Hélio Castroneves by 14 thousandths of a second at Homestead-Miami, before retiring at St. Petersburg thanks to contact with Sam Hornish Jr under the safety car. At the end of the 2006 IRL season, Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr. were tied for the lead with each driver having 475 points. In the event of a tie, the driver with the most wins for that particular season is declared the champion. Hornish Jr. had four wins for the 2006 season, to Wheldon's two; therefore Hornish Jr. was declared the 2006 IRL champion. His cousin's nephew is Joey... Helio at the 2006 Nashville Superspeedway race. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ...

During the close season he was offered a place in the BMW Sauber Formula 1 team, but declined on discovering he would not be assured a regular drive. "I do want to race in F1. When my contract expires with Chip, I’ll take a serious look at Formula One".^[2] BMW Sauber F1 is a Formula One team with bases in Hinwil, Switzerland and Munich, Germany. ... Formula One, abbreviated to F1 and also known as Grand Prix racing, is the highest class of single-seat open-wheel auto racing. ...

Commenting in 2007 on the perception of him as 'difficult', Wheldon said "I put everything into my racing, and I expect the same back. If I see people who aren't giving it I'm not afraid to say so, but that sometimes comes out a little brash. That could be improved a little bit."^[1] He leads the 2007 championship with two wins so far at Homestead-Miami and Kansas.

IndyCar career results

(Races in Bold indicate pole position)

* 2007 season currently underway

The 2002 Indy Racing League (IRL) season was one of transition, with many CART teams participating in a partial IRL schedule while retaining lame duck status in their original series with their CART engine suppliers Toyota and Honda. ... Panthers 2006 car driven by Vitor Meira Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. ... The 2003 Indy Racing League season brought some of the biggest changes in its history. ... Dario Franchittis car being pushed up to qualify for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. ... Results of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003. ... The 2004 Indy Racing League season was dominated by two teams, Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing. ... Dario Franchittis car being pushed up to qualify for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. ... Results of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 30, 2004. ... The 2005 Indy Racing League season began on Sunday, March 6 and ended on Sunday, October 16. ... Dario Franchittis car being pushed up to qualify for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. ... Results of the 2005 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 29, 2005. ... The 2006 Indy Racing League season began on March 26 and concluded on September 10. ... Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is a racing organization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. ... The 90th Indianapolis 500 was held on Sunday, May 28, 2006. ... IndyCar Series Logo The 2007 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season began with a night race on Saturday March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ... Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is a racing organization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. ... The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to be run on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ... Results of the 2005 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 29, 2005. ...

Indy 500 results

Results of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003. ... Dallara was a Formula One constructor from 1988 through 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Results of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 30, 2004. ... Dallara was a Formula One constructor from 1988 through 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Results of the 2005 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 29, 2005. ... Dallara was a Formula One constructor from 1988 through 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The 90th Indianapolis 500 was held on Sunday, May 28, 2006. ... Dallara was a Formula One constructor from 1988 through 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to be run on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ... Dallara was a Formula One constructor from 1988 through 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Viner, Brian. Dan Wheldon: 'Winning at Monaco would be great, but it's nothing next to the Indy 500'. The Independant. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
2. ^ Shaw, Simon. Dan's Indy mood for F1. The Sun. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.

For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up sun in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 27 is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official Site
• Dan Wheldon Fans -The Unofficial Site
• IndyCar Profile
• Audio Interview with Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon talks about his karting days