Justin Wilson Passes Away Due To Racing Injuries

[CIRF]

We wish God Speed to Justin Wilson.

Another very sad day in racing.

May Mr. Wilson's family and close friends find comfort. He was taken as a result of doing what he loved to do and was fully aware of the risks involved. Hopefully that knowledge somehow eases the pain and grief of those who loved Mr. Wilson.

Please say a prayer for the safe keeping of Mr. Wilson's soul and for the family that have to be in shock and devastation.





ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Veteran Verizon IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson has died from injuries suffered in a crash during Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.

IndyCar CEO Mark Miles made the announcement Monday night at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“On behalf of the Wilson family, it is with profound sadness that we announce that Justin Wilson died this evening at Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital in Allentown, Pa., as a result of the head injury he sustained yesterday at the Pocono Raceway,” Miles said. “He passed away in the company of his family, his brother Stefan, his wonderful wife Julia and his parents, Keith and Lynn. Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility, which made him one of the most respected members of the paddock.

“As we know the racing industry is one big family and the focus now is rallying around Justin’s family to insure they get the support that they need during this difficult time,” Miles said. “Anyone who follows our sport knows Justin is one of the most well respected, highly regarded and liked people in the entire paddock. He will be missed.”

Ed Carpenter, a team owner and fellow driver, was on hand during the announcement at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and offered his condolences to Wilson’s family.

“Days like this are extremely hard on all of us and I just want to offer our sincere condolences to Justin’s family, to his parents and especially Julia, Jane and Jess and Stefan,” Carpenter said. “Obviously Justin was a great professional driver and extremely good at his craft. Beyond that, he was a great guy. One of the few, if only, guy that was a friend among everyone in the paddock and competitors and that everyone respected for the way that he carried himself.

“For me, for what Justin has gone through the past couple of years and how hard he worked to get back into the car this season and the opportunity he had with Andretti (Autosport), I think he exemplified the reason we all love doing this,” Carpenter continued. “He fought so hard to get back. As challenging as today is and yesterday was, he was doing what he loved to do and what we all loved to do and why we’ll be back competing in his honor in the near future.”

Wilson’s family also released a statement Monday night.

“Justin was a loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers,” the statement read. “The family would like to thank the staff at the Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital, Pocono Raceway, Andretti Autosport and the Verizon IndyCar Series as well as the entire racing community for the amazing outpouring of support from fans around the world.”

Wilson, 36, was involved in a crash with Sage Karam with 21 laps to go in Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Karam lost control of his car coming out of the exit of turn one and slammed hard into the outside wall while leading the race.

Wilson drove into the debris field left by Karam’s crashed car and it appeared that part of the nose that had broken loose off Karam’s Chevrolet hit Wilson, rendering him unconscious and sending his car out of control into the inside wall.

Wilson was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pa., where he died Monday evening.

A native of Sheffield, England, Wilson recorded seven Indy car victories and eight poles in 174 races. He led 711 laps, including two on Sunday.

He competed in Formula One in 2003 with Minardi and Jaguar, and his initial Formula One points were scored that year in the U.S. Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He co-drove a Michael Shank Racing sports car entry to the overall victory in the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2012.

Wilson was considered one of the most talented drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series because he is competitive on all types of circuits. In 2009, he drove under-funded Dale Coyne Racing to its first-ever victory when Wilson won at Watkins Glen Int’l. In 2012, he drove Dale Coyne Racing’s Honda to another win in the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Wilson was able to get the most out of his race car and that is why he was a competitive force even on smaller teams. His goal was to get a full-time ride at Andretti Autosport — the top Honda team in IndyCar — because he believed it would be his best chance at winning the Indianapolis 500 and a Verizon IndyCar Series championship.

Instead, he had to settle for part-time duty in an effort partially funded by Honda. He started and finished in 18th position in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, started sixth and finished 21st in the 99th Indianapolis 500.

Wilson finished second to Graham Rahal in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Aug. 2.

Wilson is survived by his wife, Julia, and two daughters. His younger brother Stefan is an accomplished race car driver who has competed in the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up for Wilson children. Donations may be sent to: Wilson Children’s Fund, c/o IndyCar, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222.

[t.nie]

I saw him race when he was in Formula Palmer Audi in the UK at Donington Park in the late 90's. He was pretty impressive back then, but my most vivid memory of him was walking past the cars in staging before the races and him sitting there in his Union Jack helmet, strapped in, ready to go, and thinking "oh, there's that Wilson kid that's getting all the attention."

RIP.

[HoosierDirtFan]

Was watching the race when it happen. Didn't look like much at first but when I saw paramedics arrive at the secne and waving I had a bad feeling it wasn't good.

Unforentutly this is what we live with in Motorsports. We know the risk but it's something we enjoy.
#IndycarSeriesRestInPeaceJustinWilson