IndyCar’s Justin Wilson dies of injuries

Tributes have continued to flow for IndyCar driver Justin Wilson, who died Monday of injuries sustained during a race crash. “He fought so hard to come back”. He loved his older brother, who did what older brothers do – lead by example.

Wilson was running in the middle of the pack when race leader Sage Karam spun and hit the outside wall of the tri-oval track. He was my Brother, my best friend, my role model and mentor. “Justin Wilson was a great person and racing driver”. At 6-foot-4, he was the tallest driver in the IndyCar series and known as the “Gentle Giant”. Wilson’s talent behind the wheel was well known throughout the IndyCar paddock.

Stefan Wilson wrote on his Twitter account: “With #giftoflife @justin_wilson saved 6 lives today”.

“I think IndyCar has been at the head of the (safety) curve”, American motor racing legend Mario Andretti told  a year ago. Wilson was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where he went into a coma.

He later moved to the United States, competing in Champ vehicle from 2004 to 2007 – and finishing as runner up in 2006 and 2007. Wilson was knocked unconscious and his auto veered left and crashed into the inner wall. As he approached, the nose section appeared to bounce several times along the track.

Carpenter knows firsthand racing cars for a living is a risky business. He was 37. “To me, it’s acceptable”. Four years ago, Fellow Briton and two-time Indianapolis 500 victor Dan Wheldon lost his life aged 33 at the Las Vegas Indy 300 following a 15-car crash.