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Dan Wheldon: 1978-2011

halfcentmanhalfcentman Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭
What a friggin' tragedy that did not have to happen.

I teach gifted and talented kids at my daughter's middle school mathematics, logic, and interpretation of statistics.

A car going 220 mi/hr travels 322.67 feet/sec.

Somber day,

Greg

Comments

  • Dan was my favorite driver. image


    In 2006 I was at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with my Dad and younger brother. Every year before the race starts they have a huge autograph session where literally every driver sits at a table and you can walk through and get whoever you want for no cost. Well, we get there and it just appears that the line is going to be too long for us to even have a shot at getting any of the guys I really wanted. The way the line snaked through, we ended up just on the other side of Dan's table. My dad had just bought me a brand new Dan Wheldon hat that I wanted desperately signed, so I yell out "Hey, Mr. Wheldon please sign my hat!" waving it in the air. Luckily I was only 14 at the time so people didn't think I was being pushy or anything. Seeing that it was a Dan Wheldon hat, and realizing where I was in line and realizing the time left in the autograph session, Dan calls out to me telling me to just pass the hat through the crowd and he will sign it! Not only did he sign it, but he also signed one of the little pictures he was passing out and took the time to make sure it got back through the crowd to me so it wasn't lost in the shuffle. I yelled thanks to him and he smiled and gave me a thumbs up. Dan later went on to win the Rolex 24 that weekend with the help of Casey Mears and Scott Dixon.

    It may seem like a stupid story, but the guy realized just how important his fans were to his success and tried to make everyone happy. Too many guys out there in all sports take these things for granted.

    I couldn't believe when he magically won Indy this year...what a fitting "end" to his career. The guy will be missed. image
  • Great story Goot, and that is exactly what made him so special.
  • few sports stars like that anymore...most want money for a sig and such, i do not really care for racing..just a bunch of people going around in a circle, but it is sad when thay die, RIP
    my t-205's


    looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
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