View source for Dan Wheldon

{{short description|British racing driver (1978–2011)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Dan Wheldon
| image              = Dan Wheldon (2231055712).jpg
| caption            = Wheldon at [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] in 2008
| birth_name         = Daniel Clive Wheldon
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1978|6|22|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Emberton]], Buckinghamshire, England
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2011|10|16|1978|06|22|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas, Nevada]], U.S.
| death_cause        = [[Blunt force trauma]] sustained at the [[2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship]]
| resting_place      = Calvary Catholic Cemetery, [[Clearwater, Florida]]
| signature          = Tanda tangan dan wheldon.png
| children           = 2, including [[Sebastian Wheldon|Sebastian]]
| module             = {{Infobox racing driver 
|child = yes
| last series = [[IndyCar|IRL]] [[IndyCar Series]]
| years active = 2002–2011
| teams = [[Panther Racing]] (2002, 2009–2010)<br />[[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]] (2003–2005) <br />[[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (2006–2008)<br />[[Bryan Herta Autosport]]/[[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]] (2011)
| starts = 128
| wins = 16
| poles = 5
| best finish = 1st
| year = [[2005 IndyCar Series|2005]]
| prev series = [[Rolex Sports Car Series|Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series]]<br />[[Indy NXT|Indy Lights]]<br />[[Atlantic Championship|Toyota Atlantic Championship]]<br />[[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]]
| prev series years = 2005–2008<br />2001<br />2000<br />1999
| titles = 24 Hours of Daytona Winner<br/>Indianapolis 500 winner<br/>IndyCar Series Champion<br />U.S. F2000 National Championship
| title years = 2006<br/>2005, 2011<br/>2005<br />1999
| awards = IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year<br />IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver (posthumously) <br /> Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (posthumously)
| award years = 2003<br />2011 <br/><br/> 2019
}}
}}

'''Daniel Clive Wheldon''' (22 June 1978 – 16 October 2011) was a British motor racing driver who won the [[2005 IndyCar Series]] for [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]] (AGR). He won the [[Indianapolis 500]] in [[2005 Indianapolis 500|2005]] and [[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]], and was co-winner of the [[2006 24 Hours of Daytona]] with [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (CGR).

Wheldon began competitive karting at the age of eight and achieved early success, before progressing to [[Open-wheel car|open-wheel car racing]] in the [[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]], the [[Atlantic Championship|Toyota Atlantic Championship]] and [[Indy NXT|Indy Lights]]. He began driving in [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] with [[Panther Racing]] in 2002. The following year, Wheldon moved to AGR, finishing as runner-up in the [[2004 IndyCar Series|2004 championship]]. He won the drivers' title in 2005 with the record for most victories (including that year's Indianapolis 500) during a season. In the [[2006 IndyCar Series|2006 season]], he moved to CGR, tying [[Sam Hornish Jr.]] in points but finishing second because of count-back on the number of victories taken by both drivers. During the [[2007 IndyCar Series|2007]] and [[2008 IndyCar Series|2008]] seasons, Wheldon's form lowered but he won four additional races to place fourth overall in both years.

He returned to Panther Racing for the [[2009 IndyCar Series|2009]] and [[2010 IndyCar Series|2010]] seasons, failing to win a race but taking a further four podium results during this period. Wheldon left the team at the conclusion of the season. He drove part-time for [[Bryan Herta Autosport]] and later [[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]] in the [[2011 IndyCar Series|2011]] season. He won his second Indianapolis 500 in May of that year. At the season-ending [[2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship|IZOD IndyCar World Championship]] at [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]], Wheldon was killed in multicar accident, when his car became airborne and collided with a catch fence post, alongside the circuit on the race's eleventh lap. He was 33 years old and the first driver to die in IndyCar competition since [[Paul Dana]] in 2006.

==Early and personal life==
Wheldon was born in the village of [[Emberton]] near the town of [[Olney, Buckinghamshire]], England on 22 June 1978.<ref name="IndependentObit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk:80/news/obituaries/dan-wheldon-one-of-the-few-british-racing-drivers-to-win-the-indy-500-2371986.html|title=Dan Wheldon: One of the few British racing drivers to win the Indy 500|last=Maume|first=Chris|date=18 October 2011|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021084325/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/dan-wheldon-one-of-the-few-british-racing-drivers-to-win-the-indy-500-2371986.html|archive-date=21 October 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was the son of plumber and domestic heat electrician Clive Wheldon and his wife Sue.<ref name=DTAmericanDream>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A270001455/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Tributes flood in for modest man who lived the American dream|last=Holehouse|first=Matthew|date=18 October 2011|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=16 December 2018|page=2|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162519/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA270001455%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LATOct11>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-oct-16-la-sp-1017-dwyre-wheldon-20111017-story.html|title=Dan Wheldon was an engaging young champion|last=Dwyre|first=Bill|date=16 October 2011|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019204956/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/16/sports/la-sp-1017-dwyre-wheldon-20111017|archive-date=19 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon was of Irish descent.<ref name=LATOct11/> He had three younger brothers and a sister.<ref name="DTAmericanDream" /> Wheldon's family was connected to motorsport; his father had competed in [[kart racing|karting]] from an early age and his mother acted as Clive's timekeeper.<ref name=ObserverMay06>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/28/motorracing.news|title=Dan the fast man|last=Owen|first=Oliver|date=28 May 2006|work=[[The Observer]]|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922093304/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/28/motorracing.news|archive-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He went to the [[Bedford School]] until he completed his [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSE]] examinations at the age of sixteen.<ref name="DTAmericanDream" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2011 |title=Dan Wheldon killed in IndyCar crash |url=https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/dan-wheldon-killed-in-indycar-crash-1-3159038 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216111818/https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/dan-wheldon-killed-in-indycar-crash-1-3159038 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |access-date=16 December 2018 |work=Bedford Today}}</ref> Wheldon attained good reading grades and excelled in [[Cross country running|cross-country running]], [[Rugby union|rugby]] and [[Squash (sport)|squash]]. He was also captain of the school [[cricket]] team.<ref name="DTAmericanDream" />

Wheldon married his long-time personal assistant Susie Behm of [[Armstrong, British Columbia]], in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Jones/2009/07/24/10248071-sun.html|title=Lacombe connection at Indy|last=Jones|first=Terry|date=21 July 2009|publisher=[[Canoe.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611231320/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Jones/2009/07/24/10248071-sun.html|archive-date=11 June 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> They have two children, [[Sebastian Wheldon|Sebastian]] and Oliver,<ref name="ABCNewsOct11">{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/indycar-racing-star-dan-wheldon-family-man/story?id=14755845|title=Dan Wheldon Started Racing Go-Karts When He Was 4|last=Curry|first=Coleen|date=17 October 2011|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018180344/https://abcnews.go.com/US/indycar-racing-star-dan-wheldon-family-man/story?id=14755845|archive-date=18 October 2011|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> who compete in go-karting events.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Dave|date=8 June 2021|title=Susie Wheldon: 'Dan would have been over the moon about our sons racing'|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/08/susie-wheldon-dan-wheldon-indycar-sons-racing|access-date=9 October 2021|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009110247/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/08/susie-wheldon-dan-wheldon-indycar-sons-racing|url-status=live}}</ref> Their sons have been supported by [[Andretti Autosport]] since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2021 |title=Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon join Andretti Autosport |url=https://racer.com/2021/04/24/sebastian-and-oliver-wheldon-join-andretti-autosport/ |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]] |language=en-US |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220053843/https://racer.com/2021/04/24/sebastian-and-oliver-wheldon-join-andretti-autosport/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wheldon was a guest voice over for the television series ''[[Hot Wheels Battle Force 5]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/41214-wheldon-super-hero-of-battle-force-5/|title=Wheldon, super hero of Battle Force 5|last=Lewandowski|first=Dave|date=9 February 2011|publisher=IndyCar Series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019145118/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/41214-wheldon-super-hero-of-battle-force-5/|archive-date=19 October 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref> and assisted in the physics development for Ignite Game Technologies's online simulation racing game ''[[Simraceway]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/172028/1/wheldon-to-help-develop-new-online-racing-sim|title=Wheldon to help develop new online racing sim|last=Lewin|first=Andrew|date=12 August 2011|publisher=Crash|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116230134/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/172028/1/wheldon-to-help-develop-new-online-racing-sim|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> He partook in philanthropic activities, such as raising money for [[Alzheimer's disease#Research directions|Alzheimer's disease research]],<ref name=IndependentObit/> contributed to the [[Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation]],<ref name=SchmidtWheldon>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indycar.com/News/2016/10/10-16-Wheldon-anniversary-excerpt|title=No rhyme or reason: Wheldon taken far too soon|last=Schmidt|first=Sam|author-link=Sam Schmidt|date=16 October 2016|publisher=IndyCar Series|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019093718/http://www.indycar.com/News/2016/10/10-16-Wheldon-anniversary-excerpt|archive-date=19 October 2016|access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> and met unwell children at the [[St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital|Peyton Manning Children's Cancer Hospital]] in [[Indianapolis]] every year.<ref name=Book16Publish/> Wheldon was a spokesperson for the [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]]'s [[Youth Challenge Program]], which provides services to vulnerable young Americans.<ref name=IndyCarBio/> He edited and published a coffee table book of photographs of his life, called ''Lionheart'' in 2010.<ref name=IndependentObit/>

==Junior career==
Wheldon began go-kart racing at the age of four<ref name=ABCNewsOct11/> but did not partake in competitive racing until he was eight due to age limits.<ref name=CPJul03>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cincypost.com:80/2003/07/26/mspirl07-26-2003.html|title=When Andretti talks, Wheldon listens|last=M. Walker|first=Teresa|date=26 July 2003|work=[[The Cincinnati Post]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803064837/http://www.cincypost.com/2003/07/26/mspirl07-26-2003.html|archive-date=3 August 2003|url-status=dead|agency=Associated Press|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He drove a self-built 60cc kart during the intervals before switching to a 100cc kart later on.<ref name=":1" /> Wheldon was inspired by racing driver [[Nigel Mansell]],<ref name=":0" /> and he was sponsored by All Kart owner Bruno Ferrari and his father helped to better his son's driving ability at [[Rye House Kart Circuit]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Lionheart – Remembering Dan Wheldon|last1=Hallberry|first1=Andy|last2=Olson|first2=Jeff|publisher=Lionheart Books Inc|date=29 May 2016|isbn=978-0-9926421-9-8|location=Atlanta, Georgia|pages=13–14}}</ref> He won the RAC British Cadet Karting Championship three times in 1988, 1989 and 1990.<ref name="DTAmericanDream" /> Wheldon went on to win the British B Junior title driving a Wright chassis in 1992. He was later advised by Mark Rose and [[Terry Fullerton]] as he progressed to the international level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cikfia.com:80/newsroom/view/article/dan-wheldon-1978-2011.html|title=Dan Wheldon, 1978–2011|date=17 October 2011|publisher=[[Commission Internationale de Karting]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020074010/http://www.cikfia.com/newsroom/view/article/dan-wheldon-1978-2011.html|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wheldon won the 1995 FIA Formula A World Cup with Fullerton's team.<ref name="AutosportObit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/indycar/feature/3954/dan-wheldon-1978--2011|title=Dan Wheldon: 1978 – 2011|last=Simmons|first=Marcus|date=17 October 2011|website=[[Autosport]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216112545/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/feature/3954/dan-wheldon-1978--2011|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> Aged seventeen, he progressed to car racing, competing in the Formula Vauxhall Junior Championship for Team JLR in 1996, winning the [[Brands Hatch]], [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]] and [[Oulton Park]] races and taking seven top-three results to finish second overall.<ref name="IndyCarBio" /><ref name=WheldonDriverDB>{{Cite web|url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/dan-wheldon/|title=Dan Wheldon|publisher=Driver Database|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324212309/https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/dan-wheldon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The following year, Wheldon was fourth in both the [[British Formula Ford Championship]] and the [[Formula Ford EuroCup|European Formula Ford Championship]] for Andy Welch Racing, with three victories in the British series.<ref name=WheldonDriverDB/><ref name="LATimesAug00">{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/2000/aug/25/sports/sp-10301|title=He's on a Roll but Needs a New Ride|last=Arritt|first=Dan|date=25 August 2000|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025085959/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/25/sports/sp-10301|archive-date=25 October 2015|url-status=dead|page=D10|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was named a finalist for the [[Autosport BRDC Award|McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award]] in 1996 and 1997.<ref name=LATimesAug00/> Wheldon improved to third in those two series with the [[Van Diemen]] team, driving a [[Mygale]] in 1998.<ref name=WheldonDriverDB/><ref name="MMagOct11" /> That year, he finished second in the [[Formula Ford Festival]] at Brands Hatch.<ref name=IndyCarBio/> It was during this period he developed a rivalry with fellow driver and future [[Formula One]] World Champion [[Jenson Button]].<ref name="MMagOct11">{{Cite journal|last=Widdows|first=Rob|date=October 2011|title=Stateside Story|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-2011/63/stateside-story|url-status=live|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|volume=87|issue=10|pages=63–67|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230628/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-2011/63/stateside-story|archive-date=21 December 2018|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon did not have the necessary level of funding from his father and sponsors to further his career in the United Kingdom and progress into either the [[British Formula 3 International Series]] or the [[British Formula Renault Championship]].<ref name="SundayTimesJul05">{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133764829/GPS?sid=GPS|title=America's finest...And he's a Brit; Motor racing|last=Hannigan|first=Dave|date=3 July 2005|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|access-date=16 December 2018|page=14|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162521/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA133764829%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/dan-wheldon-winning-at-monaco-would-be-great-but-its-nothing-next-to-the-indy-500-450237.html|title=Dan Wheldon: 'Winning at Monaco would be great, but it's nothing next to the Indy 500'|last=Viner|first=Brian|date=25 May 2007|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525234401/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/dan-wheldon-winning-at-monaco-would-be-great-but-its-nothing-next-to-the-indy-500-450237.html|archive-date=25 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=BritsAtIndy>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aczKjoVLQn8C|title=The British at Indianapolis|last=Wagstaff|first=Ian|publisher=[[Veloce Publishing]]|year=2010|isbn=978-1-84584-246-8|location=[[Poundbury]], [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]], England|pages=169–178|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-date=6 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106192049/https://books.google.com/books?id=aczKjoVLQn8C|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the suggestion of his former team principal and car manufacturer [[Ralph Firman Racing|Ralph Firman Sr.]],<ref name="ObserverMay06" /> he flew to the United States in January 1999 to test a [[Formula Ford|Formula Ford 2000]] car.<ref name="ObserverMay06" /><ref name=TBTJun07>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A164359385/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Race Car Was Waiting, But Wheldon's Ride Wasn't|last=James|first=Brant|date=2 June 2007|work=[[Tampa Bay Times|The St. Petersburg Times]]|access-date=18 December 2018|page=1C|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162523/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA164359385%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon also observed an [[Indy NXT|Indy Lights]] and [[Atlantic Championship|Toyota Atlantic]] test session for future preparation.<ref name=ObserverMay06/> His funding was provided by Jayhard/Primus Racing owner Jon Baytos and Van Diemen.<ref name="BritsAtIndy" /> He competed in the [[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]] in [[1999 U.S. F2000 National Championship|1999]] in Jayhard/Primus Racing's Van Diemen Ford RF99 car, achieving six wins and eleven top-ten finishes to become the first British and European series champion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/na-f2000-1999-season-review/35599/|title=NA-F2000: 1999 Season Review|date=10 November 1999|publisher=[[motorsport.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216153406/https://www.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/na-f2000-1999-season-review/35599/|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon's early performance was affected by [[jet lag]] from constant travel to the United Kingdom to visit his family and his desire to compete in Formula Three.<ref name=ObserverMay06/><ref name="BritsAtIndy" /> He stopped doing so after about three months,<ref name="ObserverMay06" /> when Baytos urged him to concentrate on racing.<ref name=BritsAtIndy/> Wheldon was named the series' Rookie of the Year,<ref name="Wheldon02">{{cite web|date=June 9, 2002|title=Former U.S. F2000 champ Wheldon to join Hornish at Panther for remainder of IRL season|url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/former-us-f2000-champ-wheldon-join-hornish-panther-remainder-irl-season#ixzz4Bxw2Qded|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619051726/http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/former-us-f2000-champ-wheldon-join-hornish-panther-remainder-irl-season|archive-date=June 19, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|work=[[Autoweek]]}}</ref> and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2012 as a 1999 graduate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usf2000.com/about/hall-of-fame|title=Hall of Fame|publisher=[[U.S. F2000 National Championship]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417232940/http://usf2000.com/about/hall-of-fame|archive-date=17 April 2014|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref>

Wheldon progressed to the [[2000 Atlantic Championship|2000 Toyota Atlantic Championship]], driving for [[PPI Motorsports]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/8382|title=New drivers join PPIM Atlantic squad|date=17 January 2000|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216171156/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/8382|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> in its {{Abbr|No.|Car number}} 3 [[Swift 008.a]] vehicle,<ref name=DWTA2000>{{Cite web|url=http://www.champcarstats.com:80/atlantic/drivers/WheldonDan.htm|title=Dan Wheldon – Atlantic Stats|publisher=Champ Car Stats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917130645/http://www.champcarstats.com/atlantic/drivers/WheldonDan.htm|archive-date=17 September 2016|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> winning the season-opening [[Homestead–Miami Speedway]] round to become the first driver in series history to win on his debut.<ref name=IndyCarBio>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indycar.com/drivers/show/55-izod-indycar-series/3681-dan-wheldon/|title=Dan Wheldon Career Highlights|publisher=IndyCar Series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211061735/http://www.indycar.com/drivers/show/55-izod-indycar-series/3681-dan-wheldon/|archive-date=11 December 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref> He won the [[Laguna Seca]] race, finishing runner-up in the championship standings with 159 points and a further nine top-ten finishes.<ref name=DWTA2000/> Wheldon was named the series' Rookie of the Year.<ref name="Wheldon02" /> For the [[2001 Indy Lights season|2001]] season, Wheldon moved to the [[PacWest Racing|PacWest Lights]] team to compete in the higher-tier Indy Lights Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indylights.com:80/News.asp?ID=84|title=Wheldon Tapped to Take Over Dixon's Invesys/PacWest Ride in 2001|date=14 December 2000|publisher=Dayton Indy Lights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020706023720/http://www.indylights.com/News.asp?ID=84|archive-date=6 July 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=16 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the No. 1 [[Lola T97/20]]-[[Buick]] [[Buick V6 engine|3800 V6]], he won two races in the championship's second half ([[Gateway Motorsports Park]] and [[Road Atlanta]]) and placed in the top-ten in all twelve events to finish runner-up in the drivers' championship with 149 points.<ref name="DWIL2001">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2001/IL|title=Dan Wheldon – 2001 Firestone / Dayton Indy Lights Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131430/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2001/IL|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forix.autosport.com/8w/6thgear/winners01.html|title=2001 winners' circle|last=Diepraam|first=Mattijs|date=19 May 2002|publisher=Forix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521083251/http://forix.autosport.com/8w/6thgear/winners01.html|archive-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> Wheldon was named the 2001 Indy Lights Rookie of the Year.<ref name="Wheldon02" />

==IndyCar Series==

===2002–2004===
After his objective of obtaining a seat in [[Championship Auto Racing Teams]] (later [[Champ Car World Series]]) went unfulfilled,<ref name="AutosportObit" /><ref name="LATimesAug00" /> Wheldon began his association with the rival [[IndyCar Series|Indy Racing League]] (IRL) by joining [[Panther Racing]] as its [[test driver]] in June 2002.{{efn|The Indy Racing League was formed in 1994 as a separate low-cost American-based open-wheel car championship by [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] president [[Tony George]], who resigned from the board of [[Champ Car|Championship Auto Racing Teams]], in a move called the [[IndyCar#Split with CART|CART/IRL split]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Zeller|first=Bob|title=CART vs. IRL: Who Won the War?|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15133831/cart-vs-irl-who-won-the-war/|work=[[Car and Driver]]|date=1 February 2004|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502071208/https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15133831/cart-vs-irl-who-won-the-war/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} He brought capital to the team and drove their second car for the final two races of the [[2002 Indy Racing League|2002 season]].<ref name=SchmidtWheldon/><ref name="Wheldon02" /> Wheldon qualified seventh in the No. 15 [[Dallara IR-00|Dallara IR02]] [[Chevrolet Indy V8|Chevrolet V8]] and finished tenth in his first IRL race, the [[2002 Delphi Indy 300|Delphi Indy 300]] at [[Chicagoland Speedway]]. He came fifteenth in the season-closing [[IndyCar Series at Texas Motor Speedway|Chevy 500]] at [[Texas Motor Speedway]] to finish his two-race campaign 36th in the [[List of American open-wheel racing national champions|points standings]] with 35 accrued.<ref name="RR02DanW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2002/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2002 Indy Racing League Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131534/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2002/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> When funding for a second Panther Racing car fell through, [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]] (AGR) co-owner Kim Green contacted Wheldon in October and asked him to test its IRL car and develop its [[Honda]] engine at Homestead–Miami Speedway the following month.<ref name=CPJul03/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/default/news/show/43144-a-conversation-with-dan-wheldon-bryan-herta-steve-newey/|title=A Conversation With ... Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta, Steve Newey|date=29 May 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602154448/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/default/news/show/43144-a-conversation-with-dan-wheldon-bryan-herta-steve-newey/|archive-date=2 June 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> Wheldon was signed to be the team's test driver in November as they sought sponsorship to enable his participation in the [[2003 IndyCar Series|2003 season]].<ref name=CPJul03/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/21339|title=Wheldon confirmed at Andretti Green|date=27 November 2002|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217081053/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/21339|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Dallara IR3 2004 Dan Wheldon Andretti Green Racing Honda Collection Hall.jpg|thumb|The Dallara IR03 car Wheldon drove to achieve his first IRL victory in the 2004 Indy Japan 300]]

The lack of sponsorship prevented him from starting the season though he was called up to drive when regular driver [[Dario Franchitti]] broke his [[vertebra]]e in a motor bike accident in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/apr/09/columnist-brian-hilderbrand-motorcycle-accident-si/|title=Motorcycle accident sidelines Dario Franchitti|last=Hilderbrand|first=Brian|date=9 April 2003|work=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217082624/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/apr/09/columnist-brian-hilderbrand-motorcycle-accident-si/|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first race driving the No. 27 [[Dallara IR-03]] Honda [[Honda Indy V8#1st Generation (2003)|HI3R]] V8 car, at the [[Indy Japan 300]] at [[Twin Ring Motegi]], Wheldon qualified fifth and finished the accident-shortened race seventh.<ref name="RR03IRL">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2003/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2003 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131614/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2003/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wheldon qualified fifth for his first [[2003 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]].<ref name="RR03IRL" /> Late in the race, he struck a concrete retaining wall and somersaulted into the air before landing upside down, which relegated him to finishing nineteenth.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wheldon brushes off horrific looking accident|last=Wilson|first=Phillip B.|date=26 May 2003|work=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|page=R02}}</ref> After Franchitti returned,<ref name="AutosportObit" /> Wheldon was retained as a driver following the retirement of team owner and mentor [[Michael Andretti]].<ref name="CPJul03" /> He drove well thereafter with another eight top-ten finishes. Starting tenth at Chicagoland Speedway, Wheldon led for a season-high 38 laps and came fourth. He ended the season finishing third at Texas Motor Speedway, scoring 312 [[List of American Championship car racing points scoring systems|points]] for 11th in the point standings.<ref name="RR03IRL" /> Wheldon's performances enhanced his reputation, and he demonstrated an accord with [[oval track racing]] that many European drivers lacked.<ref name="AutosportObit" /> He was awarded the 2003 [[IndyCar Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="IndyMonthlyMay05">{{Cite journal|last=Rehagen|first=Tony|date=May 2005|title=Meet Dan Wheldon|url=https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/features/meet-dan-wheldon/|url-status=live|journal=[[Indianapolis Monthly]]|pages=128–131 & 268–273|issn=0899-0328|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217111915/https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/features/meet-dan-wheldon/|archive-date=17 December 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref> and was voted the 2003 [[Autosport Awards#Rookie of the Year|Autosport Rookie of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Biebrich|first=Richard|date=26 February 2004|title=Wheldon Proving to be Quick Study|page=7C|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|id={{ProQuest|387828781}}}}</ref>

Wheldon returned to AGR for the [[2004 IndyCar Series|2004 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/25167|title=Wheldon re-signs with Andretti|date=31 October 2003|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217122900/https://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/25167|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> At [[Phoenix International Raceway]], the season's second race, Wheldon won his first career [[pole position]] and finished third.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/racing/s_185676.html|title=Roundup: Kanaan repeats as Phoenix champion|date=22 March 2004|work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217130330/https://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/racing/s_185676.html|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He took his first series win at Twin Ring Motegi, leading an event-high 192 laps from pole position.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2004/04/17/Wheldon-wins-Indy-Japan-300/26321082235006/?upi_ss=phoenix+SB+1070+protest|title=Wheldon wins Indy Japan 300|date=17 April 2004|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217132341/https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2004/04/17/Wheldon-wins-Indy-Japan-300/26321082235006/?upi_ss=phoenix+SB+1070+protest|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|work=[[United Press International]]}}</ref> Wheldon qualified second for the [[2004 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]]; he led 26 laps to finish the rain-shortened race third.<ref name=IndyMonthlyMay05/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/wheldon-slips-up-as-rice-negotiates-rain-734103.html|title=Wheldon slips up as Rice negotiates rain|last=Allsop|first=Derick|date=1 June 2004|work=The Independent|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217141509/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/wheldon-slips-up-as-rice-negotiates-rain-734103.html|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His second win of the season came at [[Richmond Raceway|Richmond International Raceway]] after holding off [[Team Penske]]'s [[Hélio Castroneves]] on the last lap.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/06/27/trust-goes-long-way-for-wheldon/5849f4c0-7d4d-4dca-8403-836b6df9bc59/?noredirect=on|title=Trust Goes Long Way for Wheldon|last=Schaller|first=Jake|date=27 June 2004|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217143453/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/06/27/trust-goes-long-way-for-wheldon/5849f4c0-7d4d-4dca-8403-836b6df9bc59/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0a47a3406b61|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon took four top-ten finishes in four of the next six races,<ref name="DWRR2004">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2004/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2004 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131652/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2004/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> before achieving his third series victory in [[Nazareth Speedway]]'s final motor race to move into second in the drivers' championship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/3610952.stm|title=Wheldon heads clean sweep|date=30 August 2004|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214110249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/3610952.stm|archive-date=14 February 2013|url-status=live|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> His title challenge to his teammate [[Tony Kanaan]] ended in the season's penultimate round at [[Auto Club Speedway|California Speedway]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A123296857/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Wheldon hopes to end breakout season on an up note|last=Sturbin|first=John|date=17 October 2004|work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|access-date=17 December 2018|agency=[[Knight Ridder|Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service]]|page=K5569|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162522/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA123296857%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> but secured second overall from [[Buddy Rice]] at the season-ending Texas Motor Speedway race with 533 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/first-long-time-helio-castroneves-wins-irls-texas-race-and-it-costs-him-50000|title=First in a Long Time: Helio Castroneves wins the IRL's Texas race... and it costs him $50,000|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=17 October 2004|website=Autoweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217153237/https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/first-long-time-helio-castroneves-wins-irls-texas-race-and-it-costs-him-50000|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref>

===2005–2007===
[[File:Dan Wheldon won 2005 Indy Japan 300.jpg|left|thumb|Wheldon celebrating his victory at the 2005 Indy Japan 300]]

For the [[2005 IndyCar Series|2005 season]], Wheldon again drove for AGR.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A183401735/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Repeat will do nicely|date=3 March 2005|work=[[Milton Keynes Citizen]]|access-date=17 December 2018|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162523/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA183401735%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> He started from eleventh to lead a race-high 158 of 200 laps of the Homestead–Miami Speedway season-opener to win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A130055715/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Win Puts Wheldon on Track for Indy|last=Tays|first=Alan|date=7 March 2005|work=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|access-date=17 December 2018|page=1C|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162627/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA130055715%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> After that, Wheldon went on to win consecutive races at the [[Grand Prix of St. Petersburg]] (his first [[Road racing|road course]] series win),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://autoracing.tbo.com:80/autoracing/MGBMGRP347E.html|title=Wheldon Wheels To Win|last=Cain|first=Holly|date=4 April 2005|work=The St. Petersburg Times|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414213358/http://autoracing.tbo.com/autoracing/MGBMGRP347E.html|archive-date=14 April 2005|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and the Indy Japan 300 for the second successive year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/43821|title=Wheldon Wins at Motegi|date=30 April 2005|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217191843/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/43821|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His season highlight was the [[2005 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]] where he exchanged the lead with [[Danica Patrick]] until she slowed due to a lack of fuel. Wheldon made the race-victory overtake with seven laps to go to become the first British driver to win the event since [[Graham Hill]] in [[1966 Indianapolis 500|1966]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/indycar/indianapolis-500/2005/wheldon-wins-indy-500_sto724409/story.shtml|title=Wheldon wins Indy 500|date=30 May 2005|publisher=Eurosport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217204309/https://www.eurosport.com/indycar/indianapolis-500/2005/wheldon-wins-indy-500_sto724409/story.shtml|archive-date=17 December 2018|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> He continued to drive consistently in the top six in the next seven races.<ref name="RR2005Dan">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2005/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2005 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131735/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2005/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At [[Pikes Peak International Raceway]], Wheldon took his fifth win of the season (after leading 67 laps) to equal [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]'s 2002 record of five victories during a season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2005/08/21/irls-utility-man/|title=IRL's utility man|last=Chambers|first=Mike|date=21 August 2005|work=[[Denver Post]]|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181217211851/https://www.denverpost.com/2005/08/21/irls-utility-man/|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Two races later, at Chicagoland Speedway, he led a race-high 88 laps to surpass Hornish's series record with his sixth win of the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-12-sp-motors12-story.html|title=Wheldon Virtually Clinches IRL Title|date=12 September 2005|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217212803/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/sep/12/sports/sp-motors12|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon won the championship before starting the season's penultimate round by setting a single practice lap of [[Watkins Glen International]]. Since the last place finisher scored twelve points, his 102-point lead clinched the title with one race remaining.{{efn|Wheldon became the first British driver to win an American open-wheel championship since [[Nigel Mansell]] in 1993,<ref name=STWheldonChamp/> and the first driver to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the title since [[Jacques Villeneuve]] in 1995.<ref name=BCD05DW/>}}<ref name=STWheldonChamp>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph-sport/20050925/282235186048181|title=Wheldon takes lap of honour|last=Hart|first=Simon|date=25 September 2005|work=[[The Sunday Telegraph]]|access-date=17 December 2018|page=015|via=[[PressReader]]|archive-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230606/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph-sport/20050925/282235186048181|url-status=live}}</ref> With a sixth-place finish at the season-closing California Speedway round, Wheldon won the championship with 628 points.<ref name=RR2005Dan/> He was awarded the 2005 Autosport British Competition Driver of the Year.<ref name=BCD05DW>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/48527|title=British Comp. Driver: Dan Wheldon|last=Redmayne|first=Tim|date=4 December 2005|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221092839/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/48527|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref>

When [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (CGR) owner [[Chip Ganassi]] was informed of rumours that Wheldon might leave AGR, he engaged in informal discussions with him, which led to an [[agreement in principle]] at a meeting in August 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A146284146/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Flair apparent as Wheldon chases repeat|last=Graves|first=Gary|date=26 May 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=18 December 2018|page=05F|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162558/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA146284146%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> His AGR contract expired on 31 October and formal discussions began soon after.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=11 November 2005|title=Will Wheldon Leave Andretti Green?|journal=[[Autoweek]]|volume=55|issue=45|pages=52–53|issn=0192-9674}}</ref> CGR resigned Wheldon for the [[2006 IndyCar Series|2006 season]] and the team changed manufacturers from [[Panoz]] to Dallara and engine suppliers to Honda after [[Toyota]] withdrew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.speedtv.com:80/articles/auto/indycar/20956/|title=Ganassi Confirms Wheldon, Honda, Dallara|last=Miller|first=Robin|date=28 November 2005|publisher=[[Speed (TV channel)|Speed]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201035300/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/indycar/20956/|archive-date=1 December 2005|url-status=dead|access-date=18 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wheldon made the switch because he wanted to ensure his stay in the IRL and remain competitive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/48421/wheldon-leaving-agr-not-easy|title=Wheldon: leaving AGR not easy|date=29 November 2005|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218073054/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/48421/wheldon-leaving-agr-not-easy|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> To begin the season, Wheldon won the [[2006 Toyota Indy 300|Toyota Indy 300]] at Homestead–Miami Speedway.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Biebrich|first=Richard|date=27 March 2006|title=A Driver's Duel|work=Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2006-03-27-0603260303-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218082507/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2006-03-27-0603260303-story.html|archive-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> At the [[2006 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]], he qualified in third place,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2337241/Wheldon-third-on-grid-for-Indy-500.html|title=Wheldon third on grid for Indy 500|last=O'Leary|first=Jamie|date=22 May 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707101652/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2337241/Wheldon-third-on-grid-for-Indy-500.html|archive-date=7 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and led a race-high 148 laps before falling to fourth because he had to make a pit stop to replace a [[Flat tire|puncture]] on the 183rd lap.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/motorcyling-wheldon-is-left-feeling-flat-480302.html|title={{as written|Moto|rcyling: [sic]}} Wheldon is left feeling flat|last=Smith|first=Paul|date=30 May 2006|work=The Independent|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218151423/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/motorcyling-wheldon-is-left-feeling-flat-480302.html|archive-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon achieved eight top-ten finishes and two pole positions (at [[Kansas Speedway]] and [[Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway|Nashville Speedway]]),<ref name="DW2006RR">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2006/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2006 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131804/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2006/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and entered the season's final round at Chicagoland Speedway as one of four drivers in contention for the championship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2006/09/09/indy-racing-season-to-wrap-up-sunday/|title=Indy racing season to wrap up Sunday|last=Haddock|first=Tim|date=9 September 2006|work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218180546/https://www.dailynews.com/2006/09/09/indy-racing-season-to-wrap-up-sunday/|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon won the race but lost the championship on tiebreak to Sam Hornish Jr, who had won four races to Wheldon's two.<ref name=DanSamTie>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/indycar/chicago/2006/dan-s-race-sam-s-title_sto961710/story|title=Dan's race, Sam's title|date=10 September 2006|publisher=Eurosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218183133/https://www.eurosport.com/indycar/chicago/2006/dan-s-race-sam-s-title_sto961710/story.shtml|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=18 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Dan WheldonPracticing2007Indy500.jpg|thumb|Wheldon practicing for the [[2007 Indianapolis 500]]]]

Wheldon remained with CGR for the [[2007 IndyCar Series|2007 season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A182539310/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Wheldon to stay in IndyCar|date=15 November 2006|work=[[Times & Citizen]]|access-date=18 December 2018|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162559/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA182539310%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> He began the season with pole position at the season-opening [[2007 XM Satellite Radio Indy 300|XM Satellite Radio Indy 300]] at Homestead–Miami Speedway, and led 177 of 200 laps to win his third successive event at the track, a new series record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/indy-car-rewind-dan-wheldon-emerges-top-during-familiar-irl-weekend|title=Indy Car Rewind; Dan Wheldon emerges on top during a familiar IRL weekend|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=25 March 2007|website=Autoweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193521/https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/indy-car-rewind-dan-wheldon-emerges-top-during-familiar-irl-weekend|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon went on to lead a race-high 177 laps to win the [[2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300|Kansas Lottery Indy 300]] at Kansas Speedway, his second of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=2853550&seriesId=1|title=Wheldon gives Target Chip Ganassi pre-Indy boost|last=Oreovicz|first=John|date=30 April 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218201840/http://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=2853550&seriesId=1|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> After qualifying sixth for the [[2007 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]], he retired from the rain-shortened race after a late-event collision with [[Marco Andretti]], losing Wheldon the lead of the drivers' championship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A183408608/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Wheldon falters at rain-soaked Indy|date=31 May 2007|work=Milton Keynes Citizen|access-date=18 December 2018|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162559/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA183408608%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> His third-place finish in the [[2007 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225|ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225]] at [[Milwaukee Mile]] was overshadowed by a physical confrontation with Patrick following a collision on the 88th lap;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20070607/282686157802906|title=TMS gets high mileage from Dan-Danica feud|last=Durrett|first=Richard|date=June 7, 2007|newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|access-date=January 1, 2018|via=[[PressReader]]|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131840/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20070607/282686157802906|url-status=live}}</ref> the two reconciled after a private meeting with IndyCar president [[Brian Barnhart]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/060907/pro_060907070.shtml|title=Patrick, Wheldon make up; Sharp takes pole|date=June 9, 2007|newspaper=[[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]]|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106091614/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/060907/pro_060907070.shtml|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The rest of Wheldon's season was modest, with four retirements and two further third-place finishes in the [[2007 SunTrust Indy Challenge|SunTrust Indy Challenge]] and the [[2007 Detroit Indy Grand Prix|Detroit Indy Grand Prix]]. He came fourth in the final points standings with 466 accrued.<ref name="RR2007DW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2007/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2007 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131836/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2007/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===2008–2011===
For the [[2008 IndyCar Series|2008 season]], Wheldon stayed with CGR.<ref name="AutosportObit" /> He began the year finishing third at the season-opening [[2008 Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300|Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300]] at Homestead–Miami Speedway after moving through the field starting from 22nd.<ref>{{Cite news|title=INDYCAR: Wheldon fails to defend title|last=Navarro|first=Manny|date=30 March 2008|work=[[Miami Herald]]|page=D16}}</ref> Wheldon won the [[2008 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300]] at Kansas Speedway three races later, becoming IndyCar's first driver to claim two consecutive victories at the track.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2008/apr/28/wheldon_wins_kansas_speedway/|title=Wheldon wins at Kansas Speedway|last=Elmquist|first=Jason|date=28 April 2008|work=The Shawnee Dispatch|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219095402/http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2008/apr/28/wheldon_wins_kansas_speedway/|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He started second in the [[2008 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]] finishing ten places lower in twelfth due to [[Automobile handling|handling]] problems in the final fifty laps.<ref name=BritsAtIndy/> Wheldon took his second (and final) victory of the season in the [[2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250|Iowa Corn Indy 250]] at [[Iowa Speedway]]. He donated his winnings to help the victims of the recent [[Late-May 2008 tornado outbreak sequence#Northeast Iowa supercell|tornadoes]] and [[Iowa flood of 2008|flooding]] which had occurred in [[Iowa]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Rob|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58458188/dan-wheldon-2008-iowa-corn-indy-250/|title=Birthday Bash; Dan Wheldon Wheldon turns 30 with a win, gives prize money to Iowa flood relief|date=23 June 2008|work=[[The Des Moines Register]]|access-date=8 December 2019|page=3C|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58458188/dan-wheldon-2008-iowa-corn-indy-250/|url-status=live}}</ref> As IndyCar had become more orientated towards road and [[street circuit]]s following the merger of it and the Champ Car World Series, his performance diminished in the remaining races since his driving on such tracks were not as good as on ovals.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Malsher-Lopez|first=David|date=14 October 2021|title=Remembering Dan Wheldon|page=13|work=Autosport|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/autosport-uk/20211014/283390540043973|url-access=subscription|access-date=15 October 2021|via=PressReader|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029173742/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/autosport-uk/20211014/283390540043973|url-status=live}}</ref> He achieved one further podium finish, a second-place at Nashville Speedway, and five top-seven finishes for fourth in the drivers' championship with 492 points.<ref name="RRDan2008">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2008/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2008 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131905/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2008/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Wheldon planned to extend his CGR contract when Chip Ganassi provided him with an offer in May 2008. He decided against doing so when he learnt AGR's Kanaan had begun discussions with the team. Though Kanaan ultimately ended up staying with AGR, Wheldon felt betrayed and began talking to other teams. Wheldon told CGR three months later in [[Detroit]] of his decision to leave them at the season's conclusion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A197403226/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Wheldon Confident in New Role|last=Fabrizio|first=Tony|date=5 April 2009|work=The Tampa Tribune|access-date=19 December 2018|page=1|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162600/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA197403226%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 September, CGR announced that Wheldon would be released from his contract at the end of the season as Dario Franchitti left [[NASCAR]] and returned to IndyCar.<ref name=":3" /> Wheldon returned to the full-time one-car Panther Racing team for the [[2009 IndyCar Series|2009 season]] following an agreement with his management and team owner John Barnes in mid-August.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/racing/2008/09/03/inside-nascar|title=Wheldon takes a risk as he returns home to Panther|last=James|first=Brant|date=3 September 2008|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219162303/https://www.si.com/racing/2008/09/03/inside-nascar|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> He struggled to perform in the first three races, but he took his first top-ten finish with a fifth at the [[2009 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/racing/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=schwarb_john&id=4163675|title=Slow going for Wheldon, Panther Racing|last=Schwarb|first=John|date=13 May 2009|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219183006/http://www.espn.co.uk/racing/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=schwarb_john&id=4163675|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref> At the [[2009 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]], Wheldon qualified in eighteenth and finished second.<ref name=MalsherWheldon>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/remembering-dan-wheldon-839562/839562/|title=Remembering Dan Wheldon|last=Malsher|first=David|date=17 October 2016|publisher=motorsport.com|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208035449/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/remembering-dan-wheldon-839562/839562/|url-status=live}}</ref> The rest of Wheldon's season saw him achieve a best finish of fourth at Iowa Speedway and three top-tens. He did not attain those results in seven of the last eight races.<ref name="RR2009DW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2009/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2009 IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131929/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2009/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was tenth in the championship standings with 354 points,<ref name=RR2009DW/> his lowest finish since he placed eleventh in 2003.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=C.|first=C.|date=4 November 2009|title=Winless Wheldon|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2009/O|journal=Auto Action|issue=1365|pages=12|url-access=subscription|via=EBSCO Academic Search|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-date=23 December 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223131929/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2009/O|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Dan Wheldon Sonoma Indy 2010.jpg|left|thumb|Wheldon practicing for the [[2010 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma]]]]

Wheldon remained with Panther Racing for the [[2010 IndyCar Series|2010 season]].<ref name="TG7811">{{Cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/car-news/dan-wheldon-1978-2011|title=Dan Wheldon: 1978–2011|last=Marriage|first=Ollie|date=17 October 2011|website=[[Top Gear (magazine)|Top Gear]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926121529/http://www.topgear.com/car-news/dan-wheldon-1978-2011|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> During the season-opening [[2010 São Paulo Indy 300|São Paulo Indy 300]], he made contact with [[Alex Tagliani]], which sent him into Kanaan; he recovered to finish fifth.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing/tagliani-wheldon/|title=Tagliani says Wheldon hit seemed deliberate|date=16 March 2010|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220084402/https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing/tagliani-wheldon/|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live|publisher=[[Sportsnet]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref> Three races later at the [[2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach]], Wheldon took a second top-ten result with a ninth.<ref name="DanRR10Results">{{Cite news|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2010/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series Results|newspaper=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223132009/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2010/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the [[2010 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]], Wheldon started from eighteenth. He advanced through the field on pit stop strategy to come second for the second year in a row.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com:80/news/report.php/id/84071|title=Q & A with Dan Wheldon|last=Strang|first=Simon|date=31 May 2010|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603005939/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84071|archive-date=3 June 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=20 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wheldon remained competitive all year; challenging for wins on oval tracks. Despite strong showings, he could not claim a race victory during his time with Panther Racing, which frustrated Barnes.<ref name="MMagOct11" /> In the [[2010 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma|Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma]] at [[Sonoma Raceway|Infineon Raceway]] (now Sonoma Raceway), Wheldon made contact with [[Bertrand Baguette]]'s car during a [[Parade lap|warm-up lap]] before the start of the event. He flipped upside down and pirouetted several times but emerged unhurt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Dan-Wheldon-flips-heading-for-start-at-Infineon-3255001.php|title=Dan Wheldon flips heading for start at Infineon|last=FitzGerald|first=Tom|date=23 August 2010|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220091050/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Dan-Wheldon-flips-heading-for-start-at-Infineon-3255001.php|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His best finish of the year was a second place in the [[2010 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300|Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300]] at Chicagoland Speedway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.sbnation.com/2010/8/29/1656507/indycar-chicagoland-2010|title=IndyCar Series Delivers Again at Chicagoland|last=Potter|first=Bill|date=29 August 2010|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220093502/https://chicago.sbnation.com/2010/8/29/1656507/indycar-chicagoland-2010|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> He came ninth at the season-ending [[2010 Cafés do Brasil Indy 300|Cafés do Brasil Indy 300]] at Homestead–Miami Speedway, to rank ninth in the drivers' standings with 388 points.<ref name=DanRR10Results/>

[[File:Dan Wheldon 2011 Indy 500.jpg|thumb|Wheldon competing for [[Bryan Herta Autosport]] at the [[2011 Indianapolis 500]]]]

After the season, Wheldon left Panther Racing because of a lack of sponsorship and the No. 4 car was driven by rookie [[J. R. Hildebrand]].<ref name="AutosportObit" /><ref name="MMagOct11" /> He filed a $383,400 lawsuit against Barnes in Marion County Superior Court on 18 August for late payment of his salary and of his share of earnings from his on-track achievements as well as taxation issues. The two reached a settlement on 1 October.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Beeler|first=Tom|date=1 October 2010|title=Update: Wheldon Files Suit Against Panther Racing – Reached Settlement|url=http://ris-news.com/read/2010/01/10/wheldon-files-suit-against-panther-racing|journal=Racing Information Service|volume=2010|issue=10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220120727/http://ris-news.com/read/2010/01/10/wheldon-files-suit-against-panther-racing|archive-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon did not have a full-time seat for the [[2011 IndyCar Series|2011 season]],<ref name="AR1Obituary">{{Cite web|last=Carroccio|first=Brian|date=16 October 2016|title=Dan Wheldon, Five Years On|url=http://autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=16715|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223171634/http://autoracing1.com/article.asp?id=16715|archive-date=23 December 2016|access-date=30 May 2019|publisher=AutoRacing1}}</ref> and he missed the season's first four races as he sought employment with another team to compete in the [[2011 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]].<ref name="DanNS" /> Talks with several teams, including with [[Dreyer & Reinbold Racing]] co-owner [[Robbie Buhl]] to share a car with [[Mike Conway]] fell through.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=C.|first=C.|date=19 January 2011|title=No wheels for Wheldon|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=59577179&site=ehost-live|journal=Auto Action|issue=1424|pages=12|issn=1320-2073|url-access=subscription|via=ESBCO Academic Search|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324134331/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=59577179&site=ehost-live|url-status=live}}</ref> He then spoke to his friend and former AGR teammate [[Bryan Herta]] who offered to assemble a car from his own low-budget operation, [[Bryan Herta Autosport]] (BHA), for Wheldon and he agreed.<ref name="DanNS" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/30275-benner-my-wheldon-encounter-was-textbook-dan-wheldon|title=BENNER: My Wheldon encounter was textbook Dan Wheldon|last=Benner|first=Bill|date=20 October 2011|website=[[Indianapolis Business Journal]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208201527/https://www.ibj.com/articles/30275-benner-my-wheldon-encounter-was-textbook-dan-wheldon|archive-date=8 December 2019|access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> He drove a Dallara car from 2003 leased to Herta by BHA's technical partner [[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]] and [[Curb Agajanian Performance Group|Curb-Agajanian Motorsports]].<ref name=SchmidtWheldon/><ref name=DanNS>{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/indycar/autoweek-archives-why-dan-wheldon-wont-give|title=Why Dan Wheldon won't give up|last=Cole Smith|first=Steven|date=30 May 2011|website=Autoweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220132912/https://autoweek.com/article/indycar/autoweek-archives-why-dan-wheldon-wont-give|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> He qualified in sixth place;<ref name=DanNS/> in the race, Wheldon was in second place on the final lap when Hildebrand crashed leaving turn four. He took the lead to become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 leading only the final lap.<ref name=DW11IndyWin>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A257576851/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Emotional Wheldon survives to win Indy 500|last=DiPrimio|first=Pete|date=29 May 2011|work=[[The News-Sentinel]]|access-date=20 December 2018|agency=[[The McClatchy Company|McClatchy-Tribune Information Services]]|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324134448/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA257576851%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wheldon's contract expired at midnight on 30 May.<ref name=DW11IndyWin/> He then became a [[color commentator]] and pit lane reporter for the cable television channel [[NBCSN|Versus]] (now NBCSN) for three IndyCar Series events (Iowa, Texas and [[Grand Prix of Toronto|Toronto]]), believing he would not race again in 2011.<ref name=DanNS/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Nathan|date=15 October 2021|title=10 years after his fatal Las Vegas crash, IndyCar remembers Dan Wheldon|work=The Indianapolis Star|url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2021/10/15/indycar-dan-wheldon-death-10-years-after-las-vegas-crash/8449759002/|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015220754/https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2021/10/15/indycar-dan-wheldon-death-10-years-after-las-vegas-crash/8449759002/|url-status=live}}</ref> He impressed viewers with his expertise, quick wit and ease in interacting with other commentators.<ref name=MalsherWheldon/><ref name=SIObituary>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2011/10/24/106122474/dan-wheldon-19782011|title=Dan Wheldon 1978–2011|last=Anderson|first=Lars|date=24 October 2011|magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430125847/https://www.si.com/vault/2011/10/24/106122474/dan-wheldon-19782011|archive-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon was also employed by IndyCar, car manufacturer Dallara and designer Tony Cotman to test and develop the official prototype model of a [[Dallara DW12|new one-specification chassis]] that debuted at the beginning of the [[2012 IndyCar Series|2012 season]].<ref name="AutosportObit" /><ref name=MalsherWheldon/> In early October, he drove Tagliani's No. 77 Sam Schmidt Motorsports car for the [[2011 Kentucky Indy 300|Kentucky Indy 300]] at Kentucky Speedway as preparation for the season-ending [[2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship|IZOD IndyCar World Championship]] at [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://speedsport.com/indy/wheldon-to-drive-no-77-at-kentucky/|title=Wheldon To Drive No. 77 At Kentucky|date=26 September 2011|website=[[Speed Sport]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221232208/https://speedsport.com/indy/wheldon-to-drive-no-77-at-kentucky/|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wheldon qualified in 28th place after failing to set a qualifying time because his car did not pass a technical inspection; he finished fourteenth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95020|title=Carpenter scores maiden IndyCar win as Franchitti reclaims championship lead|last=Tremayne|first=Sam|date=3 October 2011|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007123413/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95020|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> On the morning of 16 October, he signed a multi-year contract to replace Patrick at Andretti Autosport from 2012 on.{{efn|After Wheldon's death, his car was driven by the 2011 Rookie of the Year [[James Hinchcliffe]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Scianitti|first=Matthew|title=James Hinchcliffe takes over Danica Patrick's car|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/james-hinchcliffe-takes-over-danica-patricks-car|work=[[National Post]]|date=12 January 2012|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181222080708/https://nationalpost.com/sports/james-hinchcliffe-takes-over-danica-patricks-car|archive-date=22 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}<ref name=ViceTT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/throwback-thursday-the-death-of-dan-wheldon/|title=Throwback Thursday: The Death of Dan Wheldon|last=Weeks|first=Jim|date=15 July 2015|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216132435/https://sports.vice.com/en_uk/article/8qywwb/throwback-thursday-the-death-of-dan-wheldon|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref>

==Other racing ventures==
Wheldon made his [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance racing]] debut at the [[2005 24 Hours of Daytona]], sharing the No. 2 [[Childress-Howard Motorsports|Howard-Boss Motorsports]] [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] [[Crawford Composites|Crawford DP03]] with Dario Franchitti, [[Marino Franchitti]] and [[Milka Duno]] in the [[Daytona Prototype]] (DP) class. Their car finished sixteenth in its class and 33rd overall after Duno crashed with less than six hours to go.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/grandam/news/daytona-24-citgo-racing-no-2-race-report/176860/|title=Daytona 24: Citgo Racing No. 2 race report|date=7 February 2005|publisher=motorsport.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218085732/https://www.motorsport.com/grandam/news/daytona-24-citgo-racing-no-2-race-report/176860/|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> In the 2005 off-season, he competed as a [[Wild card (sports)|wild card]] entrant in the [[2005 Race of Champions]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/motorsport/race-of-champions-schaulaufen-der-stars/|title=Race of Champions: Schaulaufen der Stars|date=4 December 2005|website=[[Auto motor und sport]]|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218081745/https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/motorsport/race-of-champions-schaulaufen-der-stars/|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> being eliminated from the round of 16 by [[Sébastien Bourdais]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/rally-good-show-sebastien-loeb-takes-annual-race-champions|title=A Rally-Good Show: Sebastien Loeb takes the annual Race of Champions|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=11 December 2005|website=Autoweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218081552/https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/rally-good-show-sebastien-loeb-takes-annual-race-champions|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> That year, he was offered a test driver role with [[BMW in Formula One|BMW's Formula One]] squad by team principal [[Mario Theissen]]. He declined when he discovered that he would not be assured a race seat for the {{F1|2007}} season; he also felt emotionally attached to the United States.<ref name="MMagOct11" /> Wheldon also turned down an offer to compete for [[A1 Team Great Britain|Great Britain]] in the [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season|inaugural A1 Grand Prix season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A139288467/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Motor Racing: Dan is not A1|date=1 December 2005|work=[[Daily Post (North Wales)|Daily Post]]|access-date=18 December 2018|page=37|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324134328/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA139288467%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, Wheldon returned to compete in the season-opening [[2006 24 Hours of Daytona|24 Hours of Daytona]] for Chip Ganassi Racing with [[Scott Dixon]] and [[Casey Mears]] in the DP class. The trio won overall, completing 734 laps in the No. 02 [[Riley MkXI]] [[Lexus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/grand-am/news/138875/1/ganassi-clinch-first-rolex-24-win|title=Grand-Am: Ganassi secure maiden Rolex 24 win|last=Salisbury|first=Matt|work=Crash |date=30 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218091436/https://www.crash.net/grand-am/news/138875/1/ganassi-clinch-first-rolex-24-win|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> He returned with the same team for the [[2007 24 Hours of Daytona|following year's race]], again partnered by Dixon, and they were joined by [[Memo Rojas]]. The trio retired after 538 laps because Rojas crashed the No. 2 entry on the saturated track in the race's 21st hour. They were classified 21st in class and 41st overall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://autosport.nl/klasse/nieuws/3060/overwinning-voor-montoyapruettduran-op-daytona|title=Sportscars: Overwinning voor Montoya/Pruett/Duran op Daytona|last=J. Staat|first=Willem|date=29 January 2007|publisher=Autosport.nl|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219065849/http://autosport.nl/klasse/nieuws/3060/overwinning-voor-montoyapruettduran-op-daytona|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?id=2746664&seriesId=99|title=Rolex 24 at Daytona final results|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219071053/http://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?id=2746664&seriesId=99|archive-date=19 December 2018|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Wheldon returned for a fourth time to participate in the [[2008 24 Hours of Daytona|24 Hours of Daytona]] for Chip Ganassi Racing with Dixon, [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]] and [[Salvador Durán]]. Their car, starting in tenth in its category and overall, finished 44th overall (eighteenth in its class) after it retired with 515 laps completed due to sustaining three accidents during the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race/2008_Rolex_24_at_Daytona/GA|title=2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223132718/https://www.racing-reference.info/race/2008_Rolex_24_at_Daytona/GA|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com:80/article/2008/Jan/27/br/br7891260435.html|title=Autos: Ganassi wins third Rolex 24-Hour in a row|last=Harris|first=Mike|date=27 January 2008|work=[[Honolulu Star-Advertiser]]|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201195259/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/27/br/br7891260435.html|archive-date=1 February 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Death==

[[File:Dan Wheldon Driver Introductions Las Vegas 2011.jpg|thumb|Wheldon waving during driver introductions shortly before his fatal accident]]

IndyCar Series CEO [[Randy Bernard]] set up a challenge for the season-ending [[2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship]] at [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]] on 16 October. A prize of $5&nbsp;million would be divided equally between a driver and a randomly selected fan if the driver won from the back of the grid. He was unable to get an international racing driver so he offered the challenge to Wheldon who accepted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-uberbacher/dan-wheldon-five-million-dollars_b_1009505.html|title=Wheldon Aiming To Become IndyCar's First Five Million Dollar Man|last=Ueberbacher|first=Karl|date=13 October 2011|work=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018191619/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-uberbacher/dan-wheldon-five-million-dollars_b_1009505.html|archive-date=18 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> He was frustrated about his car being more than {{Convert|3|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} slower than others and felt it would be difficult to remain with the pack if the issue was not resolved.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/dan-wheldons-blog-shows-he-was-frustrated-race-323872|title=Dan Wheldon's Blog Shows He Was Frustrated Before Race|last=Mukherjee|first=Sangeeta|date=17 October 2011|work=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615112339/https://www.ibtimes.com/dan-wheldons-blog-shows-he-was-frustrated-race-323872|archive-date=15 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon was also [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]'s in-race reporter and spoke in defense of his participation in the event and IndyCar to the network's commentary team during the warm-up laps.<ref name="APReport">{{Cite news|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/15/sports/professional-sports/indycar-limitless-racing-surface-was-factor-in-fatal-vegas-wreck/|title=IndyCar: Dan Wheldon killed from head hitting post|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=15 December 2011|work=[[Bangor Daily News]]|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220180331/https://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/15/sports/professional-sports/indycar-limitless-racing-surface-was-factor-in-fatal-vegas-wreck/|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On lap 11 out of the planned 200, a fifteen-car accident occurred between turns one and two in which Wheldon was involved.<ref name="CrashReport">{{Cite news|url=http://www.racecar-engineering.com:80/articles/features/the-perfect-storm|title=The Perfect Storm|last=Collins|first=Sam|date=16 December 2011|website=Racecar Engineering|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108100210/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/features/the-perfect-storm|archive-date=8 January 2012|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The accident began when [[James Hinchcliffe]] was clipped by [[Wade Cunningham]]. Cunningham and [[J. R. Hildebrand]] then collided when Cunningham swerved and Hildebrand drove over the rear of his car. Hildebrand's car became airborne and Cunningham collected [[Jay Howard]] on the inside and then [[Townsend Bell]] on the outside before crashing into the wall. Attempting to avoid the crash ahead, [[Vítor Meira]] lost control, spinning inward collecting both [[Charlie Kimball]] and [[E. J. Viso]]. At the same time Meira lost control, [[Tomas Scheckter]] was also attempting to avoid the first crash by rapidly slowing down on the outside. This led to [[Paul Tracy]] crashing into the back of Scheckter and a rapidly approaching [[Pippa Mann]] to launch over the top of Tracy after jerking to the outside to avoid crashing into [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]]. Wheldon was in 24th and traveling on the left-hand side of the track at {{Convert|224|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in an attempt to avoid the pile-up and flying debris.<ref name="APReport" /><ref name="CrashReport" /> Meira, Kimball and Viso blocked Wheldon's path, and he decelerated to 10% of throttle usage before he hit the left rear wheel of Kimball's car at {{Convert|165|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. He was launched semi-airborne for approximately {{Convert|325|ft|m|abbr=on}} and rotated towards the right-hand side [[Glossary of motorsport terms#C|catchfence]].<ref name="CrashReport" />

[[File:IndyCar Las Vegas 2011 big crash.jpg|thumb|left|The crash scene just shortly after it began. Wheldon's car, seen at the bottom of the picture, has just left the racing surface.]]

Wheldon's vehicle rotated and traveled parallel to the catchfence above the concrete wall behind the [[SAFER barrier]] alongside the track. He collided with a fencepost along his car's right-hand side, creating a deep defect in the chassis that went from the upper pedal bulkhead and through the cockpit. That deformed its [[Roll cage|roll hoop]] and the top of the chassis above the [[Fuel cell|fuel cell compartment]], which were sheared from the car. The post penetrated the cockpit and struck the lower portion of the right-hand side of Wheldon's helmet in an impact measured at −30 [[G-force|''g'']] lateral, 47 ''g'' longitudinal, and −25 ''g'' vertical to the chassis as he sustained "two distinct impacts" to his head.<ref name=CrashReport/> The race was stopped after one caution lap. He was extricated from his car by the trackside safety team and airlifted to [[University Medical Center of Southern Nevada]] for his critical injuries.<ref name=ESPNDeath>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/7111712/dan-wheldon-dies-following-indycar-crash-vegas|title=Dan Wheldon dies after IndyCar crash|last=Blount|first=Terry|date=16 October 2011|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708081330/http://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/7111712/dan-wheldon-dies-following-indycar-crash-vegas|archive-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon was pronounced dead on arrival.<ref name=ViceTT/> After input from drivers and team owners, officials declared they would abandon the race. A five-lap, three-wide formation salute was held in Wheldon's honor, along with "[[Danny Boy]]" and "[[Amazing Grace]]" played on the [[bagpipes]] in the background. His No. 77 was displayed alone atop of the scoring pylon.<ref name=SIObituary/><ref name=ESPNDeath/>

An autopsy conducted by Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy on 17 October determined that Wheldon died of [[blunt trauma]] to his head.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com:80/news/report.php/id/95499|title=Doctors confirm head trauma caused Dan Wheldon's death|last=Strang|first=Simon|date=18 October 2011|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020051118/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95499|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was the first driver to be killed in IndyCar competition since [[Paul Dana]] died in an accident during practice for the 2006 Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead–Miami Speedway.<ref name="SIObituary" /> On 22 October, Wheldon was given a funeral at First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg attended by almost 1,000 mourners. Fellow drivers Franchitti, Dixon, Kanaan and Wheldon's three brothers acted as [[pallbearer]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-racing-wheldon/british-racer-wheldon-mourned-at-florida-funeral-idUSTRE79L1QA20111022|title=British racer Wheldon mourned at Florida funeral|last=Green|first=Robert|date=22 October 2011|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220205309/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-racing-wheldon/british-racer-wheldon-mourned-at-florida-funeral-idUSTRE79L1QA20111022|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live|work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> The next day, IndyCar held a public memorial service for him at [[Gainbridge Fieldhouse|Conseco Fieldhouse]] (now Gainbridge Fieldhouse) in Indianapolis, attended by members of the motor racing community and his family and fans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/23/sport/motorsport/racing-wheldon/index.html|title=Memorial service celebrates life of racer Dan Wheldon|date=24 October 2011|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024005522/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/23/sport/motorsport/racing-wheldon/index.html|archive-date=24 October 2011|url-status=live|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> A second memorial service took place at All Saints' Church in his home town of Emberton on 6 November.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-15612970|title=Service for Indy champion Wheldon|date=6 November 2011|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108062430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-15612970|archive-date=8 November 2011|url-status=live|work=[[BBC News]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He is buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in [[Clearwater, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7-DgDAAAQBAJ&q=Dan+Wheldon+Calvary+Catholic+Cemetery&pg=PA802|title=Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons|last=Wilson|first=Scott|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|date=17 August 2016|isbn=978-0-7864-7992-4|edition=3rd|location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]]|pages=802|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=17 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817055804/https://books.google.com/books?id=7-DgDAAAQBAJ&q=Dan+Wheldon+Calvary+Catholic+Cemetery&pg=PA802|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three days after the accident, series organizers, with assistance from the [[Automobile Competition Committee for the United States]], the United States's national governing body of motor racing, and motorsport's world governing body, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]], began subjecting the race to a full investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95518|title=FIA to assist IndyCar Series in its investigation into Dan Wheldon's death|last=Strang|first=Simon|date=19 October 2011|work=Autosport|access-date=19 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020051157/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95518|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The results of the investigation into Wheldon's death were released on 15 December 2011. According to the report, there was no single cause for the crash. Contributing factors included the catchfence around the track, and the unlimited track movement while racing that increased contact between cars, making it difficult to predict what would occur around the drivers, and increased the likelihood of a major accident. "Whilst several factors coincided to produce a perfect storm, none of them can be singled out as the sole cause of the accident. For this reason it is impossible to determine with certainty that the result would have been any different if one or more of the factors did not exist."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/indycar/8959227/Dan-Wheldon-was-killed-by-a-fence-post-at-Las-Vegas-Motor-Speedway-track-IndyCar-officials-determine.html|title=Dan Wheldon 'was killed by a fence post' at Las Vegas Motor Speedway track, IndyCar officials determine|date=15 December 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216014239/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/indycar/8959227/Dan-Wheldon-was-killed-by-a-fence-post-at-Las-Vegas-Motor-Speedway-track-IndyCar-officials-determine.html|archive-date=16 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personality and legacy==
Marcus Simmons, a writer for the British motor racing magazine ''[[Autosport]]'', called Wheldon "one of a golden crop of richly-talented British drivers to graduate from karting to junior single-seaters in the mid to late-1990s", and, "a man who embodied the ideal of the immigrant to the '[[New World]]' fulfilling the [[American Dream]]."<ref name="AutosportObit" /> Although he had a brash and confident persona that made him "cocky yet likeable",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greensboro.com/sports_professional/auto_racing/indy-another-way-for-wheldon-to-validate-career/article_fd7a14a3-7a87-53ff-bae6-3968ac207c97.html|title=Indy 500 another way for Wheldon to validate career|last=Hayes|first=Reggie|date=25 May 2006|work=[[News & Record]]|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162610/https://greensboro.com/sports_professional/auto_racing/indy-another-way-for-wheldon-to-validate-career/article_fd7a14a3-7a87-53ff-bae6-3968ac207c97.html|url-status=live}}</ref> journalist Maurice Hamilton noted that Wheldon was seen by many as "a devoted family man, deeply respected and universally liked despite, or perhaps because of, a cheeky sense of self-awareness and a clever cultivation of his image".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/15716934/remembering-dan-wheldon|title=Remembering Dan Wheldon|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|date=25 May 2016|publisher=[[ESPN UK]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528155032/http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/15716934/remembering-dan-wheldon|archive-date=28 May 2016|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> He had charisma, a sense of humour and warmth that made him a favourite amongst motor racing fans and the media,<ref name="IndyMonthlyMay05" /> despite being unrecognisable in England due to [[Formula One]] being the country's most popular motor racing series.<ref name="Times05Interview">{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A140430464/GPS?sid=GPS|title=Wheldon graduates at the top of class of 2005; Interview|last=Eason|first=Kevin|date=3 January 2006|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=18 December 2018|page=54|url-access=subscription|via=Gale Power Search|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162614/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3D%26id%3DGALE%7CA140430464%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref> Wheldon was a keen learner, and was focused on accomplishing his objectives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/129684-excerpt-lionheart-remembering-dan-wheldon?showall=1&limitstart=|title=EXCERPT: Lionheart – Remembering Dan Wheldon|last=Kanaan|first=Tony|author-link=Tony Kanaan|date=19 May 2016|website=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524131732/http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/129684-excerpt-lionheart-remembering-dan-wheldon?showall=1&limitstart=|archive-date=24 May 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>

[[File:DanWheldonMemorialPlaque.jpg|thumb|upright|A memorial plaque dedicated to Wheldon's memory in 2013]]

Two days after his death, Dallara named their new one-specification chassis in Wheldon's honour. The [[Dallara DW12|DW12]], with the new bumper/[[nerf bar]] section being featured, was designed to prevent many similar single-seater crashes such as the one that killed him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95505|title=Dallara to name 2012 IndyCar in honour of Dan Wheldon|last=O'Leary|first=Jamie|date=18 October 2011|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020051128/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95505|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> A charity race in Wheldon's honour was held in [[Milton Keynes]] on 6 December with drivers such as Franchitti, [[Jenson Button]] and [[Anthony Davidson]] competing. Proceeds from the event were donated to a charity selected by Wheldon's family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-16031002|title=Stars race to honour Dan Wheldon in Milton Keynes|date=5 December 2011|access-date=5 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206032330/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-16031002|archive-date=6 December 2011|url-status=live|work=BBC News}}</ref> That month, Wheldon was posthumously awarded the [[Gregor Grant|Gregor Grant Award]] for his lifetime career achievements that his father Clive and Franchitti collected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com:80/news/report.php/id/96645|title=Autosport Awards Gregor Grant Award: Dan Wheldon|last=Tremayne|first=Sam|date=4 December 2011|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206155937/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96645|archive-date=6 December 2011|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Former racing driver [[Mark Dismore]]'s New Castle Motorsports Park, which organises the Robo-Pong 200 endurance karting event that Wheldon won in 2005, named the trophy the Dan Wheldon Cup in 2012. The Wheldon family added a Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am to the event in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/news-multimedia/news/2014/09/11/indycar-stars-highlight-dan-wheldon-memorial-pro-am-karting-challenge?startrow=41|title=IndyCar Stars Highlight Dan Wheldon Pro-Am Karting Challenge|date=11 September 2014|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221143039/https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/news-multimedia/news/2014/09/11/indycar-stars-highlight-dan-wheldon-memorial-pro-am-karting-challenge?startrow=41|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> On 7 March 2012, Wheldon's widow Susie and mayor [[Bill Foster (mayor)|Bill Foster]] unveiled a street sign in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]. Named "Dan Wheldon Way", the sign was placed at the corner of Bayshore Drive and Albert Whitted Park (turn ten). A permanent memorial is also located across from the [[Salvador Dalí Museum]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/autoracing/st-petersburg-pays-tribute-to-dan-wheldon-by-renaming-street-after-him/1218748/|title=St. Petersburg pays tribute to Dan Wheldon by renaming street after him|last=Tomlin|first=Jim|date=8 March 2012|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|access-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313020311/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/autoracing/st-petersburg-pays-tribute-to-dan-wheldon-by-renaming-street-after-him/1218748|archive-date=13 March 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Franchitti won the [[2012 Indianapolis 500]] on 27 May and dedicated his victory to Wheldon and wore white sunglasses in his honour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/dario-franchitti-wins-2012-indy-500-in-indianapolis-96th-running-052712|title=Dario Franchitti wins 2012 Indy 500|date=27 May 2012|work=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308235621/https://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/dario-franchitti-wins-2012-indy-500-in-indianapolis-96th-running-052712|archive-date=8 March 2016|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> That year Wheldon was memorialised by a resolution passed by the [[Indiana Senate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SRESP/SC0002.html|title=Passed Senate Resolution 002|date=2012|publisher=[[Indiana Senate]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221130649/http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SRESP/SC0002.html|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> A [[Commemorative plaque|memorial plaque]] featuring his likeness and career achievements was unveiled in St. Petersburg outside the second turn of its street track in March 2013 and a wall in which each of the winners of the race was etched.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/indycar/2013/03/21/dan-wheldon-memorial-st-petersburg/2007731/|title=Dan Wheldon memorialized before IndyCar season opener|last=Ryan|first=Nate|date=21 March 2013|work=USA Today|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322054013/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/indycar/2013/03/21/dan-wheldon-memorial-st-petersburg/2007731/|archive-date=22 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Four months later, ''Autosport'' magazine named Wheldon one of the 50 greatest drivers to have never raced in Formula One.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/5456/the-top-50-drivers-who-never-raced-in-f1|title=The top 50 drivers who never raced in F1|date=26 July 2013|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221141732/https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/5456/the-top-50-drivers-who-never-raced-in-f1|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Wheldons were honoured with the "Dan and Susie Wheldon Make a Difference Award" in September 2014. This included a $1,000 donation to charity and became part of the annual IndyCar Series prize-giving banquet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.speedcafe.com:80/2014/09/01/power-receives-trappings-indycar-title/|title=Power receives the trappings of IndyCar title|work=Speedcafe.com |date=1 September 2014|publisher=[[Speedcafe]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903125529/http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/09/01/power-receives-trappings-indycar-title/|archive-date=3 September 2014|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018|df=dmy-all |last1=Com |first1=Speedcafe }}</ref> During the [[2016 Kobalt 400]] at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, pit lane reporter [[Jamie Little]] and motorsport publicist Brent Brush placed a Dan Wheldon Memorial plaque outside turn two, near the point where he was killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/twitter-las-vegas-motor-speedway-jamie-little-fox-dan-wheldon-indycar-tribute-030516|title=FOX NASCAR reporter Jamie Little pays tribute to the late Dan Wheldon|last=Jensen|first=Tom|date=5 March 2016|work=Fox Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408114202/https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/twitter-las-vegas-motor-speedway-jamie-little-fox-dan-wheldon-indycar-tribute-030516|archive-date=8 April 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> In May 2016, a book on his life and career with contributions from the motor racing community entitled ''Lionheart: Remembering Dan Wheldon''  was published.<ref name=Book16Publish>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/motorsports/dan-wheldon-remembered-before-landmark-100th-indianapolis-500_sto5577974/story.shtml|title=Dan Wheldon remembered before landmark 100th Indianapolis 500|last=Masefield|first=Fraser|date=24 May 2016|publisher=[[Eurosport]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226082749/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/motorsports/dan-wheldon-remembered-before-landmark-100th-indianapolis-500_sto5577974/story.shtml|archive-date=26 December 2018|access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref> Wheldon was inducted into the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum#Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame|Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame]] in May 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/wheldon-Indy-hall-of-fame/4356242/|title=Wheldon elected to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame|last=Malsher|first=David|date=20 March 2019|publisher=motorsport.com|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=21 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321083119/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/wheldon-Indy-hall-of-fame/4356242/|url-status=live}}</ref> His death and legacy are the subject of the 2023 sports documentary ''The Lionheart''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=6 June 2023 |title='The Lionheart' Doc On Late Indy 500 Champ Dan Wheldon Acquired By HBO Sports Documentaries |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-lionheart-dan-wheldon-movie-sets-hbo-premiere-1235408951/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729222249/https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-lionheart-dan-wheldon-movie-sets-hbo-premiere-1235408951/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Dan Wheldon International Driver Trophy ===
The Dan Wheldon International Driver Trophy was awarded to the best performing international driver over the race weekend of the Australian [[Supercars Championship|V8 Supercars]] [[Gold Coast 500|Gold Coast 600]]. The trophy was named after Wheldon following his death, which took place a week prior to the 2011 event in which he was scheduled to participate with the [[Walkinshaw Andretti United|Holden Racing Team]].{{efn|[[FIA GT1 World Championship]] driver [[Darren Turner]] took over Wheldon's place for the [[2011 Armor All Gold Coast 600]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Englishman Darren Turner to replace Dan Wheldon|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/88641/englishman-darren-turner-to-replace-dan-wheldon|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=19 October 2011|access-date=23 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213063337/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/88641/englishman-darren-turner-to-replace-dan-wheldon|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Gold Coast 600 trophy named in Wheldon's memory|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/gold-coast-600-trophy-named-in-wheldons-memory-20111021-1mcf6.html|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=22 October 2011|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221162235/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/gold-coast-600-trophy-named-in-wheldons-memory-20111021-1mcf6.html|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The international drivers' trophy had been unnamed when it debuted in 2010.<ref name=IDT2010>{{cite web|title=Whincup holds off Van Giz for mega win|url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2010/10/24/whincup-holds-off-van-giz-for-mega-win/|publisher=Speedcafe|date=24 October 2010|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925033052/https://www.speedcafe.com/2010/10/24/whincup-holds-off-van-giz-for-mega-win/|archive-date=25 September 2014|url-status=live |last1=Com |first1=Speedcafe }}</ref> The trophy was discontinued after 2012 when regulation changes removed the need for compulsory international co-drivers in the race.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phelps|first=James|title=V8 revolution has enduring quality|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/v8-revolution-has-enduring-quality/news-story/bd0e1e8c07bc59382c8fd37cabcf1d70|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date=19 February 2013|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221170018/https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/v8-revolution-has-enduring-quality/news-story/bd0e1e8c07bc59382c8fd37cabcf1d70|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Driver
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| [[2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2010]]
| [[Andy Priaulx]]
| [[Triple Eight Race Engineering]]
|<ref name=IDT2010/>
|-
| [[2011 International V8 Supercars Championship|2011]]–[[2012 International V8 Supercars Championship|2012]]
| [[Sébastien Bourdais]]
| [[Triple Eight Race Engineering]]
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Lomas|first=Gordon|title=V8 Supercars: Bourdais claims Wheldon trophy at Surfers Paradise race|url=https://autoweek.com/article/other-motorsports/v8-supercars-bourdais-claims-wheldon-trophy-surfers-paradise-race|work=Autoweek|date=22 October 2011|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221164932/https://autoweek.com/article/other-motorsports/v8-supercars-bourdais-claims-wheldon-trophy-surfers-paradise-race|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Chelsea|title=FPR end Triple Eight's winning streak|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2012/10/22/fpr-end-triple-eights-winning-streak/|publisher=TouringCarTimes|date=22 October 2012|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221165251/https://www.touringcartimes.com/2012/10/22/fpr-end-triple-eights-winning-streak/|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Motorsport career results==
===Racing career summary===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"
|- 
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Series
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Races
! scope="col" | Wins
! scope="col" | Podium
! scope="col" | Poles
! scope="col" | Point
! scope="col" | Position
|-
!1996
| align=left | Formula Vauxhall Junior Championship
| align=left | Team JLR
|15
|3
|7
| -
|117
| bgcolor="DFDFDF" | '''2nd'''
|-
! rowspan="2" |1997
| align=left | [[British Formula Ford Championship]]
| align=left rowspan="2" |Andy Welch Racing
|14
|3
| -
| -
|75
|4th
|-
| align=left | [[Formula Ford EuroCup]]
|4
|0
| -
| -
| -
|4th
|-
! rowspan="2" |1998
| align=left | [[British Formula Ford Championship]]
| align=left | Duckhams
|14
|4
|7
| -
|104
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd'''
|-
| align=left | [[Formula Ford EuroCup]]
| align=left | Van Diemen
|4
|0
|2
|0
|38
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd'''
|-
!1999
| align=left | [[USF2000 Championship|U. S. F2000 National Championship]]
| align=left | Jayhard/Primus Racing
|14
|6
|11
|5
|315
| bgcolor="FFFFBF" | '''1st'''
|-
! 2000
| align=left | [[2000 Atlantic Championship|Toyota Atlantic Championship]]
| align=left | [[PPI Motorsports]]
| 12
| 2
| 7
| 4
| 159
| bgcolor="DFDFDF" | '''2nd'''
|-
! 2001
| align=left nowrap| [[2001 Indy Lights season|CART PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Championship]]
| align=left | [[PacWest Racing|PacWest Lights]]
| 12
| 2
| 7
| 0
| 149
| bgcolor="DFDFDF" | '''2nd'''
|-
! 2002
| align=left | [[2002 Indy Racing League|Indy Racing League]]
| align=left | [[Panther Racing]]
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 35
| 36th
|-
! 2003
| align=left | [[2003 IndyCar Series|IRL IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| 14
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 312
| 11th
|-
! 2004
| align=left | [[2004 IndyCar Series|IRL IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| 16
| 3
| 11
| 2
| 533
| bgcolor="DFDFDF" | '''2nd'''
|-
! rowspan=2 | 2005
| align=left | [[2005 IndyCar Series|IRL IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| 17
| 6
| 9
| 0
| 628
| bgcolor="FFFFBF" | '''1st'''
|-
| align=left | [[2005 Rolex Sports Car Series|Rolex Sports Car Series]]
| align=left nowrap| [[Childress-Howard Motorsports|Howard-Boss Motorsports]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 15
| 79th
|-
! rowspan=2 | 2006
| align=left | [[2006 IndyCar Series|IRL IndyCar Series]]
| rowspan=2 align=left | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| 14
| 2
| 7
| 2
| 475
| bgcolor="DFDFDF" | '''2nd'''
|-
| align=left | [[2006 Rolex Sports Car Series|Rolex Sports Car Series]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 35
| 77th
|-
! rowspan=2 | 2007
| align=left | [[2007 IndyCar Series|IRL IndyCar Series]]
| rowspan=2 align=left | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| 17
| 2
| 6
| 1
| 466
| 4th
|-
| align=left | [[2007 Rolex Sports Car Series|Rolex Sports Car Series]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 10
| 75th
|-
! rowspan=3 | 2008
| rowspan=2 align=left | [[2008 IndyCar Series|IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| 18
| 2
| 4
| 0
| rowspan=2 | 492
| rowspan=2 | 4th
|-
| align=left | [[Panther Racing]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
| align=left | [[2008 Rolex Sports Car Series|Rolex Sports Car Series]]
| align=left | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 13
| 60th
|-
! 2009
| align=left | [[2009 IndyCar Series|IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Panther Racing]]
| 17
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 354
| 10th
|-
! 2010
| align=left | [[2010 IndyCar Series|IZOD IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Panther Racing]]
| 17
| 0
| 3
| 0
| 388
| 9th
|-
! rowspan=2 | 2011
| rowspan=2 align=left | [[2011 IndyCar Series|IZOD IndyCar Series]]
| align=left | [[Bryan Herta Autosport]]
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 0
| rowspan=2 | 75
| rowspan=2 | 28th
|-
| align=left | [[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]]
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
! colspan="10" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name=WheldonDriverDB/>}}}} 
|-
|}

===American open-wheel racing results===
([[Template:American Open Wheel driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate [[pole position]] and ''italics'' indicate fastest lap; small number denotes the finishing position)

====Toyota Atlantic Championship====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
! scope="col" | 9
! scope="col" | 10
! scope="col" | 11
! scope="col" | 12
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Rank|Final points ranking}}
! scope="col" | Points
! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref|References}}
|-
|[[2000 Atlantic Championship|2000]]
! nowrap| [[PPI Motorsports]]
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Grand Prix of Miami (open wheel racing)|HMS1]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''''[[Homestead–Miami Indy 300|HMS2]]'''''<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|'''[[Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]'''<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|'''[[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|MIL]]'''<br /><small>13</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Grand Prix of Montreal|MTL]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Grand Prix of Cleveland|CLE]]<br /><small>6</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Honda Indy Toronto|TOR]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[Circuit Trois-Rivières|TRR]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[REV Group Grand Prix at Road America|ROA]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|'''[[IndyCar Monterey Grand Prix|LS]]'''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Bommarito Automotive Group 500|GAT]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Grand Prix of Houston|HOU]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''2nd'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''159'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=DWTA2000/>
|}

====Indy Lights====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
! scope="col" | 9
! scope="col" | 10
! scope="col" | 11
! scope="col" | 12
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Rank|Final points ranking}}
! scope="col" | Points
! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref|References}}
|-
| [[2001 Indy Lights season|2001]]
! nowrap| [[PacWest Racing|PacWest Lights]]
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[IndyCar Monterey Grand Prix|MTY]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|MIL]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[Grand Prix of Portland|POR]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Honda Indy Toronto|TOR]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[Honda Indy 200|MOH]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|''[[Bommarito Automotive Group 500|GAT]]''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Road Atlanta|ATL]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[IndyCar Monterey Grand Prix|LS]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[MAVTV 500|FON]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''2nd'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''149'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=DWIL2001/>
|}

====IndyCar Series====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | No.
! scope="col" | Chassis
! scope="col" | Engine
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
! scope="col" | 9
! scope="col" | 10
! scope="col" | 11
! scope="col" | 12
! scope="col" | 13
! scope="col" | 14
! scope="col" | 15
! scope="col" | 16
! scope="col" | 17
! scope="col" | 18
! scope="col" | 19
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Rank|Final points ranking}}
! scope="col" | Points
! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref|References}}
|-
|[[2002 Indy Racing League|2002]]
! nowrap| [[Panther Racing]]
! 15
! [[Dallara]]
! [[Chevrolet]]
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (open wheel racing)|HMS]]
|[[Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix|PHX]]
|[[MAVTV 500|FON]]
|[[Firestone Indy 225|NZR]]
|[[2002 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]
|[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]
|[[Pikes Peak International Raceway|PPIR]]
|[[SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]
|[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]
|[[Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]
|[[2002 Michigan Indy 400|MIS]]
|[[Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]
|[[Bommarito Automotive Group 500|STL]]
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2002 Delphi Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TX2]]<br /><small>15</small>
|colspan=4|
| style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''36th'''
| style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''35'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=RR02DanW/>
|-
|[[2003 IndyCar Series|2003]]
! rowspan=3 nowrap| [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
! rowspan=3 | 26
! rowspan=3 | [[Dallara]]
! rowspan=3 | [[Honda]]
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (open wheel racing)|HMS]]
|[[Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix|PHX]]
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2003 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>19</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]<br /><small>20</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[Pikes Peak International Raceway|PPIR]]<br /><small>19</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>8</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>21</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2003 Firestone Indy 400|MIS]]<br /><small>20</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Bommarito Automotive Group 500|STL]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>8</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Firestone Indy 225|NZR]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[MAVTV 500|FON]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TX2]]<br /><small>3</small>
|colspan=3|
| style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''11th'''
| style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''312'''
! scope="row" |<ref name="RR03IRL"/>
|-
|[[2004 IndyCar Series|2004]]
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Grand Prix of Miami (open wheel racing)|HMS]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|'''[[Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix|PHX]]'''<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|'''''[[Indy Japan 300|MOT]]'''''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[2004 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]<br /><small>13</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>9</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]<br /><small>13</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|MIL]]<br /><small>18</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Firestone Indy 400|MIS]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|''[[Pikes Peak International Raceway|PPIR]]''<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Firestone Indy 225|NZR]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[MAVTV 500|FON]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TX2]]<br /><small>3</small>
|colspan=3|
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''2nd'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''533'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=DWRR2004/>
|-
|[[2005 IndyCar Series|2005]]
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Grand Prix of Miami (open wheel racing)|HMS]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix|PHX]]<br /><small>6</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|''[[Indy Japan 300|MOT]]''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[2005 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]<br /><small>6</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]<br /><small>21</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|MIL]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[Firestone Indy 400|MIS]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Pikes Peak International Raceway|PPIR]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[Indycar Grand Prix of Sonoma|SNM]]<br /><small>18</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Grand Prix at The Glen|WGL]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|''[[MAVTV 500|FON]]''<br /><small>6</small>
|colspan=2|
| style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''1st'''
| style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''628'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=RR2005Dan/>
|-
|[[2006 IndyCar Series|2006]]
! rowspan=3 nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
! rowspan=3 | 10
! rowspan=3 | [[Dallara]]
! rowspan=3 | [[Honda]]
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[2006 Toyota Indy 300|HMS]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2006 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>16</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2006 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[Grand Prix at The Glen|WGL]]<br /><small>15</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|''[[DXC Technology 600|TXS]]''<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>9</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''[[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]'''<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|'''''[[Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]'''''<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|MIL]]<br /><small>8</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[Firestone Indy 400|MIS]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[Indycar Grand Prix of Sonoma|SNM]]<br /><small>6</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>1</small>
|colspan=5|
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''2nd<sup>a</sup>'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''475'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=DW2006RR/>
|-
|[[2007 IndyCar Series|2007]]
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|'''''[[2007 XM Satellite Radio Indy 300|HMS]]'''''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2007 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>9</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[2007 Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|''[[2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300|KAN]]''<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2007 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>22</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|''[[2007 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225|MIL]]''<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2007 Bombardier Learjet 550|TXS]]<br /><small>15</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2007 Iowa Corn Indy 250|IOW]]<br /><small>11</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|''[[2007 SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]''<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2007 Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix|WGL]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|''[[2007 Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]''<br /><small>8</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2007 Honda 200|MOH]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2007 Firestone Indy 400|MIS]]<br /><small>12</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|''[[2007 Meijer Indy 300|KTY]]''<br /><small>17</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2007 Motorola Indy 300|SNM]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[2007 Detroit Indy Grand Prix|DET]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2007 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>13</small>
|colspan=2|
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|'''4th'''
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|'''466'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=RR2007DW/>
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2008 IndyCar Series|2008]]
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[2008 Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300|HMS]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>12</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2008 Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<sup>1</sup><br /><small>4</small>
|[[2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]<sup>1</sup><br /><small>DNP</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[2008 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2008 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>12</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2008 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225|MIL]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|''[[2008 Bombardier Learjet 550|TXS]]''<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250|IOW]]<br /><small>1</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2008 SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2008 Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen|WGL]]<br /><small>24</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[2008 Firestone Indy 200|NSH]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2008 Honda 200|MOH]]<br /><small>17</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy|EDM]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2008 Meijer Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2008 Peak Antifreeze Indy Grand Prix|SNM]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2008 Detroit Indy Grand Prix|DET]]<br /><small>20</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2008 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>6</small>
|
| rowspan="2" style="background:#dfffdf;"|'''4th'''
| rowspan="2" style="background:#dfffdf;"|'''492'''
! rowspan="2" scope="row" |<ref name=RRDan2008/>
|-
! rowspan=3 nowrap| Panther Racing
! rowspan=3 | 4
! rowspan=3 | [[Dallara]]
! rowspan=3 | [[Honda]]
|colspan=18|
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2008 Nikon Indy 300|SRF]]<sup>2</sup><br /><small>11</small>
|-
|[[2009 IndyCar Series|2009]]
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2009 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>14</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2009 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[2009 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225|MIL]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 Bombardier Learjet 550|TXS]]<br /><small>7</small>
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2009 Iowa Corn Indy 250|IOW]]<br /><small>4</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 SunTrust Indy Challenge|RIR]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen|WGL]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2009 Honda Indy Toronto|TOR]]<br /><small>14</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2009 Rexall Edmonton Indy|EDM]]<br /><small>15</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2009 Meijer Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>11</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2009 Honda 200|MOH]]<br /><small>16</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2009 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma|SNM]]<br /><small>12</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2009 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>22</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2009 Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<br /><small>8</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2009 Firestone Indy 300|HMS]]<br /><small>21</small>
|colspan=2|
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|'''10th'''
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|'''354'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=RR2009DW/>
|-
|[[2010 IndyCar Series|2010]]
| style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[2010 São Paulo Indy 300|SAO]]<br /><small>5</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]<br /><small>20</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2010 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama|ALA]]<br /><small>11</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]<br /><small>9</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2010 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300|KAN]]<br /><small>15</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[2010 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Firestone 550|TXS]]<br /><small>9</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2010 Iowa Corn Indy 250|IOW]]<br /><small>11</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen|WGL]]<br /><small>6</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Honda Indy Toronto|TOR]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2010 Honda Indy Edmonton|EDM]]<br /><small>20</small>
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2010 Honda Indy 200|MOH]]<br /><small>14</small>
| style="background:#efcfff;"|[[2010 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma|SNM]]<br /><small>25</small>
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|[[2010 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300|CHI]]<br /><small>2</small>
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|[[2010 Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>3</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Indy Japan 300|MOT]]<br /><small>10</small>
| style="background:#cfeaff;"|[[2010 Cafés do Brasil Indy 300|HMS]]<br /><small>9</small>
|colspan=2|
| style="background:#cfeaff;"| '''9th'''
| style="background:#cfeaff;"| '''388'''
! scope="row" |<ref name=DanRR10Results/>
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2011 IndyCar Series|2011]]
! nowrap| [[Bryan Herta Autosport|BHA]] with [[Curb Agajanian Performance Group|Curb Agajanian]]<br>[[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]]
! 98
! rowspan=2 | [[Dallara]]
! rowspan=2 | [[Honda]]
|[[2011 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|STP]]
|[[2011 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama|ALA]]
|[[2011 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]
|[[2011 São Paulo Indy 300|SAO]]
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|[[2011 Indianapolis 500|INDY]]<br /><small>1</small>
|[[2011 Firestone Twin 275s|TXS1]]
|[[2011 Firestone Twin 275s|TXS2]]
|[[2011 Milwaukee 225|MIL]]
|[[2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250|IOW]]
|[[2011 Honda Indy Toronto|TOR]]
|[[2011 Edmonton Indy|EDM]]
|[[2011 Honda Indy 200|MOH]]
|[[2011 MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225|NHM]]
|[[2011 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma|SNM]]
|[[2011 Baltimore Grand Prix (IndyCar)|BAL]]
|[[2011 Indy Japan: The Final|MOT]]
|colspan=3|
| rowspan="2" style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''28th'''
| rowspan="2" style="background:#cfcfff;"| '''75'''
! rowspan="2" scope="row" |<ref name="RRDW2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2011/O|title=Dan Wheldon – 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Results|publisher=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181223132109/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wheldda01/2011/O|archive-date=23 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
! nowrap| [[Arrow McLaren|Sam Schmidt Motorsports]]
! 77
|colspan=16|
| style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[2011 Kentucky Indy 300|KTY]]<br /><small>14</small>
| style="background:#FFFFFF;"|[[2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship|LVS]]<sup>3</sup><br /><small>C</small>
|
|}

:
: ''<sup>a</sup> Wheldon lost the title on the tiebreaker—he won only 2 races compared to [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]'s 4 after both tied on 475 points''<ref name=DanSamTie/>
: ''<sup>1</sup> Run on same day''
: ''<sup>2</sup> Non-points race''
: ''<sup>3</sup> Race abandoned after 15-car crash on lap 11 involving Wheldon, who would later succumb to injuries sustained in the accident.<ref name=ESPNDeath/>''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|-
! scope="col" | Years
! scope="col" | Teams
! scope="col" | Races
! scope="col" | Poles
! scope="col" | Wins
! scope="col" | Podiums<br />(non-win)**
! scope="col" | Top 10s<br />(non-podium)***
! scope="col" | Indianapolis 500<br />wins
! scope="col" | Championships
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Ref|References}}
|-
|10
|5
|133
|5
|16
|27
|50
|2 ([[2005 Indianapolis 500|2005]], [[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]])
|1 ([[2005 IndyCar Series season|2005]])
!<ref name=WheldonStats>{{cite web|title=Dan Wheldon – IndyCar Series Statistics|url=http://www.champcarstats.com:80/drivers/WheldonDan.htm|publisher=Champ Car Stats|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928220127/http://www.champcarstats.com/drivers/WheldonDan.htm|archive-date=28 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
: ** Podium (non-win) indicates second or third place finishes.<ref name=WheldonStats/>
: *** Top 10s (non-podium) indicates fourth through tenth place finishes.<ref name=WheldonStats/>

=====Indianapolis 500 results=====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Chassis
! scope="col" | Engine
! scope="col" | Start
! scope="col" | Finish
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Status
|-
| [[2003 Indianapolis 500|2003]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfffdf;"| 5
|  style="text-align:center; background:#efcfff;"| 19
| [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| Wrecked in turn 4, flipped
|-
| [[2004 Indianapolis 500|2004]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"| 2
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffdf9f;"| 3
| [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| Running
|-
| [[2005 Indianapolis 500|2005]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#cfcfff;"| 16
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffffbf;"| '''1'''
| [[Andretti Autosport|Andretti Green Racing]]
| Running; 157.603&nbsp;mph
|-
| [[2006 Indianapolis 500|2006]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffdf9f;"|3
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfffdf;"| 4
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| Running
|-
| [[2007 Indianapolis 500|2007]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfffdf;"| 6
|  style="text-align:center; background:#efcfff;"| 22
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| Crashed on backstretch
|-
| [[2008 Indianapolis 500|2008]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"| 2
|  style="text-align:center; background:#cfcfff;"| 12
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| Running
|-
| [[2009 Indianapolis 500|2009]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#efcfff;"| 18
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"| 2
|[[Panther Racing]]
| Running
|-
| [[2010 Indianapolis 500|2010]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#efcfff;"| 18
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"| 2
|[[Panther Racing]]
| Running
|-
| [[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]]
| [[Dallara]]
| [[Honda]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#dfffdf;"| 6
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffffbf;"| '''1'''
|[[Bryan Herta Autosport]]
| Running; 170.265&nbsp;mph
|-
!colspan="7"|{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name=WheldonStats/>}}}}
|}

===Sports car racing===
(DNF signifies [[Glossary of motorsport terms#D|Did Not Finish]])

====24 Hours of Daytona results====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
!colspan=45| [[24 Hours of Daytona]] results
|-style="background:#abbbdd;"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Class
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|No.|Car number}}
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Car
! scope="col" | Engine
! scope="col" | Co-drivers
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Laps|Laps completed}}
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Position|Final overall finishing position}}
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Class Pos.|Final position in class}}
|-
! [[2005 24 Hours of Daytona|2005]]
|align=center|[[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
|align=center| 2
|nowrap| [[Childress-Howard Motorsports|Howard-Boss Motorsports]]
| Crawford
| [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]]
|nowrap| [[Dario Franchitti]]<br />[[Milka Duno]]<br />[[Marino Franchitti]]
|align=center| 528
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|33 {{sup|DNF}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|16 {{sup|DNF}}
|-
! [[2006 24 Hours of Daytona|2006]]
|align=center|[[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
|align=center| 02
|nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|nowrap| [[Riley MkXI]]
| [[Lexus]]
| [[Scott Dixon]]<br />[[Casey Mears]]
|align=center| 734
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffffbf;"| '''1'''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#ffffbf;"| '''1'''
|-
! [[2007 24 Hours of Daytona|2007]]
|align=center|[[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
|align=center| 02
|nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|nowrap| [[Riley MkXI]]
|nowrap| [[Lexus]] 5.0L V8
| [[Scott Dixon]]<br />[[Memo Rojas]]
|align=center| 538
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|41 {{sup|DNF}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|21 {{sup|DNF}}
|-
! [[2008 24 Hours of Daytona|2008]]
|align=center|[[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
|align=center| 02
| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
| [[Riley MkXI]]
| [[Lexus]] 5.0L V8
| [[Scott Dixon]]<br />[[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]]<br />[[Salvador Durán]]
|align=center| 515
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|44 {{sup|DNF}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;" align=center|18 {{sup|DNF}}
|-
!colspan="10"|{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name=RSCDWResults>{{cite web|title=Complete Archive of Dan Wheldon|url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Dan-Wheldon-GB.html|publisher=Racing Sports Cars|access-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221153228/http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Dan-Wheldon-GB.html|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}}}
|}

====Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series====
([[Template:American Open Wheel driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position, Results are '''overall'''/'''class''')
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Make
! scope="col" | Engine
! scope="col" | Class
! scope="col" | 1
! scope="col" | 2
! scope="col" | 3
! scope="col" | 4
! scope="col" | 5
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 7
! scope="col" | 8
! scope="col" | 9
! scope="col" | 10
! scope="col" | 11
! scope="col" | 12
! scope="col" | 13
! scope="col" | 14
! scope="col" | 15
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Rank|Final points ranking}}
! scope="col" | Points
! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Ref|Reference}}
|-
|[[2005 Rolex Sports Car Series|2005]]
!nowrap| [[Childress-Howard Motorsports|Howard-Boss Motorsports]]
! Crawford
! [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]]
![[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"|[[2005 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]] <br /><small>'''33/16'''</small>
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (sports car racing)|HOM]]
|[[Auto Club Speedway|CAL]]
|[[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca|LAG]]
| [[Circuit Mont-Tremblant|CMT]]
|[[6 Hours of Watkins Glen|WAT1]]
| [[Barber Motorsports Park|BAR]]
|[[Crown Royal 200 at the Glen|WAT2]]
|[[Brumos Porsche 250|DAY2]]
| [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|MOH]]
|[[ISM Raceway|PHX]]
|[[Crown Royal 200 at the Glen|WAT3]]
|[[GT Challenge at VIR|VIR]]
|[[Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez|MEX]]
|
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''79th'''
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''15'''
! rowspan="4" scope="row" |<ref name=RSCDWResults/>
|-
|[[2006 Rolex Sports Car Series|2006]]
!nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
!nowrap| [[Riley MkXI]]
! [[Lexus]]
![[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffffbf;"|[[2006 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]] <br /><small>'''1/1'''</small>
|[[Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez|MEX]]
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (sports car racing)|HOM]]
|[[Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]
|[[GT Challenge at VIR|VIR]]
|[[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca|LAG]]
|[[ISM Raceway|PHX]]
|[[Lime Rock Grand Prix|LRP]]
|[[6 Hours of Watkins Glen|WAT1]]
|[[Brumos Porsche 250|DAY2]]
| [[Barber Motorsports Park|BAR]]
|[[Crown Royal 200 at the Glen|WAT2]]
|[[Grand Prix of Sonoma|INF]]
| [[Miller Motorsports Park|MIL]]
|
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''77th'''
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''35'''
|-
|[[2007 Rolex Sports Car Series|2007]]
!nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
!nowrap| [[Riley MkXI]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus]] 5.0L V8
![[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"|[[2007 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]] <br /><small>'''41/21'''</small>
|[[2007 Mexico City 400k|MEX]]
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (sports car racing)|HOM]]
|[[GT Challenge at VIR|VIR]]
|[[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca|LAG]]
|[[Lime Rock Grand Prix|LRP]]
|[[6 Hours of Watkins Glen|WAT1]]
| [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|MOH]]
|[[Brumos Porsche 250|DAY2]]
| [[Iowa Speedway|IOW]]
| [[Circuit Gilles Villeneuve|CGV]]
| [[Barber Motorsports Park|BAR]]
|[[Crown Royal 200 at the Glen|WAT2]]
|[[Grand Prix of Sonoma|INF]]
| [[Miller Motorsports Park|MIL]]
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''75th'''
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''10'''
|-
|[[2008 Rolex Sports Car Series|2008]]
!nowrap| [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]]
!nowrap| [[Riley MkXI]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus]] 5.0L V8
![[Daytona Prototype|DP]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"|[[2008 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]] <br /><small>'''44/18'''</small>
|[[Grand Prix of Miami (sports car racing)|HOM]]
|[[Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez|MEX]]
|[[GT Challenge at VIR|VIR]]
|[[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca|LAG]]
|[[Lime Rock Grand Prix|LRP]]
|[[6 Hours of Watkins Glen|WAT]]
| [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|MOH]]
|[[Brumos Porsche 250|DAY2]]
| [[Barber Motorsports Park|BAR]]
| [[Circuit Gilles Villeneuve|CGV]]
|[[Crown Royal 200 at the Glen|WAT2]]
|[[Grand Prix of Sonoma|INF]]
| [[New Jersey Motorsports Park|NJ]]
| [[Miller Motorsports Park|MIL]]
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''60th'''
|  style="background:#cfcfff; text-align:center;"|'''13'''
|}

==See also==
* [[Driver deaths in motorsport]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 firsts]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 records]]
* [[List of Indianapolis 500 lap leaders]]

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===References===
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons|Dan Wheldon}}
* {{Official website|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717022056/http://www.danwheldon.com/}} (Archived)
* {{DriverDB driver|dan-wheldon}}
* {{Racing-Reference driver|Dan_Wheldon}}
* {{IMDb name|1933203}}
* {{Find a Grave|78554652}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Dan Wheldon sporting positions
| list1 =
{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box | title = [[IndyCar Series]]<br />[[IndyCar Series|Rookie of the Year]]  | years = [[2003 IndyCar Series season|2003]] | before = [[Laurent Redon]] | after = [[Kosuke Matsuura]]}}
{{succession box |
 before= [[Buddy Rice]]<br>[[Dario Franchitti]] |
 title= [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners|Indianapolis 500 Winner]] |
 years= [[2005 Indianapolis 500|2005]]<br>[[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]] |
 after= [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]<br>Dario Franchitti
}}
{{succession box |
 before= [[Tony Kanaan]] |
 title= [[Indy Racing League|IndyCar Series]] [[Indy Racing League#IRL Champions|Champion]] |
 years= [[2005 IndyCar Series season|2005]] |
 after= [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]
}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box | before= [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]] |title=[[Autosport]]<br />Rookie of the Year|after=[[A. J. Allmendinger]]|years=2003}}
{{succession box | before= [[Andy Priaulx]] |title=[[Autosport]]<br />British Competition Driver of the Year|after=[[Jenson Button]]|years=2005}}
{{succession box | before= [[Rubens Barrichello]]<br />[[Jackie Stewart]]|title=[[Autosport]]<br />Gregor Grant Award|with=[[Damon Hill]]|after=[[Sébastien Loeb]]<br />[[Jimmy McRae]]|years=2011}}
{{succession box | before= [[Danica Patrick]] |title=[[IndyCar Series]]<br />Most Popular Driver|after=[[James Hinchcliffe]]|years=[[2011 IndyCar Series season|2011]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Paul Dana]]
| title  = Fatalities in Champ Car/IndyCar
| years  = 2011
| after  = [[Justin Wilson (racing driver)|Justin Wilson]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{IRL Champions}}
{{American open-wheel car racing champions|state=collapsed}}
{{Indy 500 winners}}
{{24 Hours of Daytona winners}}
{{Autosport Rookie of the Year}}
{{Arrow McLaren}}
{{Chip Ganassi Racing}}
{{Panther Racing}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|South East England|England|Florida|Sports|United Kingdom}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheldon, Dan}}
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