Wheldon had a sense of humor about the media coverage of the 2005 Indy 500.

Wheldon’s first victory at the Brickyard came in 2005, when he was 26 and beginning his third season as a full-time driver on the IRL IndyCar Series. That race made a star of one IndyCar racer, but it wasn’t Wheldon. Danica Patrick led 19 laps, becoming the first woman to lead at Indianapolis. Patrick was leading at lap 193 and finished fourth. Her performance was noteworthy not only because she was a woman but also because she was a 23-year-old rookie. Much of the attention the media gave Patrick was well deserved, but “Danica Mania” (which was an actual thing) kept Wheldon from getting the recognition that should have come to him.

Wheldon won his second Indy 500 this year, capitalizing on the misfortune of rookie J.R. Hildebrand, who slid into the retaining wall on the fourth turn of the final lap. Hildebrand, who could have cruised uncontested to the finish line, became the story of the 2011 race.

Hildebrand, who coasted (literally) to a second-place finish and claimed rookie-of-the-year honors, drove for Panther Racing, Wheldon’s former team. Wheldon drove for Panther in 2009 and 2010. Though he turned in two second-place finishes at the Indy 500, he failed to win a race in his two years with Panther, and the team decided to release him and replace him with the younger Hildebrand. Wheldon entered this season without a team, but found a ride for Indy. And he won, edging out the driver who had taken his job.

It was an incredible story, but it didn’t translate to Twitter and YouTube. To the average sports fan, the story of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was reduced to “This Hildebrand kid had the race wrapped up and blew it.”

**********

Once upon a time, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner would have been a household name, regardless of the circumstances surrounding his victories. But Indy racing doesn’t command the attention it once did. IndyCar’s woes go back to 1996 when the Indy Racing League (IRL) broke away from CART, separating many of the sport’s best-known drivers from the sport’s premier race. The IRL merged with Champ Car (formerly CART) in 2008, but not before the split had done considerable damage to the sport’s popularity and ability to attract sponsors.

While ABC continues to air the Indianapolis 500, the rest of the IndyCar Series races are consigned to Versus. IndyCar ratings are consistently lower than those for NASCAR Nationwide races on ESPN2 and NASCAR truck series races on Speed. Indy’s ratings are even poor when compared to other niche sports on Versus.

But that happens. Sports go in and out of fashion. What doesn’t change is the devotion of the athletes. Regardless of a sport’s popularity, there will be athletes who are so dedicated to their craft that they are willing to risk their bodies and even their lives. While sports in general and auto races in particular are safer than they have ever been, there remain those rare occasions when a sport claims the life of one of its most devoted competitors.

**********

Dan Wheldon won 16 IRL/IndyCar Series races in his short career, including his two wins at Indianapolis. He won the series championship in 2005 and finished in the top 5 for 5 consecutive seasons, from 2004 to 2008. By any standard he was a great driver, even if the series he raced in struggled to attract viewers and sponsors. Unlike some of his peers, Wheldon didn’t reach a wider audience by winning Dancing With the Stars or marrying an A-list actress or starring in a Super Bowl commercial. Many American sports fans didn’t know the name “Dan Wheldon” until news of his death broke on Sunday afternoon. And that’s too bad.

Wheldon at the National Guard Youth Foundation 2010 ChalleNGe Champions Gala (Wikipedia)

Wheldon leaves behind his wife, Susie, and two young sons. And that sucks.

The Winners:

Here, we continue our look into the starting field of the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500. In this edition we look at the four previous winners who will be fighting for another shot at immortality on the Borg Warner Trophy (pictured above) and a nice cool drink of milk in victory lane. The Indianapolis 500 is at 1pm this Sunday, May 24th. It’s on ABC and the pre-race starts at Noon Eastern, with the scheduled start of 1pm.

Pos. 5

Scott Dixon

Car # 9
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.867/2:40.8098

The 2008 Indy 500 winner and IndyCar series champion will find himself in a familiar place come race day. Rolling off from the 5th spot in the grid, this New Zealander will be a contender on race day and should definitely be one to watch. Scott Dixon has NEVER raced in a series where hasn’t wont the championship. When the pressure is on, this guy is the one you want behind the wheel. Starting from the middle of Row 2 he should have a clear view of Turn 1 on Lap 1. Barring any first turn disasters, keep your eye on the #9 Target entry piloted by Scott Dixon. He will more than likely be among the leaders all day.

——————–

Pos. 3

Dario Franchitti

Car # 10
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 224.010/2:40.7068

Dario Franchitti comes to his 6th Indy 500, back from his single season running in NASCAR. His previous 500 starts have been with the Andretti Green organization, but it didn’t take the former Champion long to get comfortable to his new seat. He rolls off the grid on Sunday from the front row on the outside in P3. When he won the race in 2007, it was called by rain and was less than the 500 miles. Would he have been there at the end of those 500 miles? We will never know. Will he be there at the end of this years 500 miles? I don’t think so. Look for a strong start from the former champion but a pit issue or contact to keep him from taking his second 500 crown. Why? Because, Ashley Judd annoys me to death and I don’t want to see her talking on the monitors anymore than we have to.

——————–

Pos. 1

Helio Castroneves

Car # 3
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 224.864/2:40.0967

The past six months have been absolute hell for the two-time Indy 500 winner. He spent months agonizing over a squabble with the IRS regarding a tax issue. It was resolved with a not guilty verdict, and he now finds himself back where he belongs. Helio won the 500 in 2001 and 2002 and has been in the top 5 for 5 of his 8 previous starts. He has been among the quickest all month long and was certainly the fastest on Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the drama behind him of the courtroom, and no one in front of him as he starts this years 500, look for a strong showing from the two time winner. How strong? Look for a three time champion come Sunday afternoon. Helio Castroneves is my pick for the 2009 race. Helio, go get ‘em!

——————–

Stay tuned to MidwestSportsFans.com as we continue our in depth look into the starting field for the 93rd Indianapolis 500. Next we will take a look at the women in the 500. Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher, and Milka Duno will be carrying the banner for female motor sports fans everywhere come race day. Check back soon for what to watch for from the three women who are the female faces of the 500.