From the AABLM Family our thoughts & prayers go out to the family of Dan Wheldon. 1978-2011 RIP Dan!
Two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon has died of injuries he sustained in a massive 15-car crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300 earlier today.
Wheldon’s car had catapulted over other cars during the crash, which occurred on Lap 12, catching part of the fence outside Turn 2. Wheldon was airlifted to a local hospital in “serious” condition, but later succumbed to his injuries. Randy Bernard, IndyCar CEO, made the announcement of Wheldon’s death and cancelled the race after a five-lap tribute.
Earlier this year, Wheldon, 33, scored a storybook Indy 500 win, which he later dedicated to his mother, who’d recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Replaced at Panther racing by J.R Hildebrand early in the season, Wheldon then landed a seat with Bryan Herta Autosport. Wheldon won Indy when Hildebrand crashed out on the last lap.
Without a ride for the rest of the season, Wheldon had been eligible for Bernard’s offer to award $5 million to any non-regular series driver who won the season finale at Las Vegas.
In his Associated Press obituary, Wheldon is said to have moved to the U.S. from his native England hoping to win the Indy 500, which he eventually did, twice — in 2005 and 2011. He also scored 16 career IndyCar wins, and won the series championship in 2005.
Wheldon is survived by his wife Susie and two sons: Sebastian, 2, and Oliver, 6 months.
Airport Auto Brokers Late Models (AABLM) Youngest Driver Jeremy Doss returns to All American Speedway to race his Late Model on Friday night and on Saturday he will race with the SPEARS SRL Legend Car. Jeremy Doss also races in AABLM tow-along series AABLS “Airport Auto Brokers Legend Series,” Last time at All American with the AABLM Speedway Jeremy won the AABLM feature along with winning the Legend car feature giving him enough points to clinch that AABLS championship with one race to spare. Jeremy has gone on racing the late model having a lot of success while he continues winning in the legend car. Jeremy planes are to compete in the AABLM for the 2012 tour.
See you at the Track
Bob Cook
Airport Auto Brokers Late Models (AABLM) 2010 Champion, Trevor Cristiani, is ready to return to All American Speedway in Roseville, California this Saturday night. He will be competing in two different events; the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series “Thunder Valley Casino & Resort 135”, as well as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West “NAPA Auto Parts 150”. At only 15 years old, Cristiani raced the Grand American Modified at All American Speedway for the 2010 season and raced a few times with the AABLM at Ukiah Speedway. Cristiani considers All American Speedway to be his home track and both times competing there with the AABLM; he dominated the event but never came out with a win. The 2011 brought big success for the AABLM rookie with right out of the gate 3 straight 2nd place finishes, the season rounded out with 2 wins and always finishing in the top 5. Cristiani plans to compete in the 2012 SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series and this weekend will be a big step for the Cristiani Motorsports team.
See you at the Track
Bob Cook
