Indy memorial honors IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The IndyCar and Indianapolis communities on Sunday afternoon remembered late driver Dan Wheldon as “more than a racecar driver,” taking time to honor the person they said was a great man.

Wheldon, who died last week in a 15-car pileup at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was remembered in a special service at Conseco Fieldhouse. The service began with a prayer, remarks from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard and a quiet performance by Reba McEntire.

The Band Perry also performed, and Garth Brooks ended the event in song.

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His victories in IndyCar were a feature of Sunday afternoon’s memorial, with photos and video clips marking Wheldon's two Indianapolis 500 victories.

“The victories and the accolade, they didn’t define him -- his strong character, his enthusiastic approach to life, and his love of fans, friends and family did,” said Randy Bernard, IndyCar CEO. “Dan loved life, and it always showed.”

Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO, said the “Dan Wheldon flair” left a stamp on IMS and Indy 500 traditions.

“Just drinking the milk wasn’t good enough for Dan,” Belskus said, referring to Wheldon dumping the milk all over himself.

Several guests took time to remember funny stories about Wheldon. They said many of them have spent the past week trading stories of the driver who was a fan of practical jokes. A common theme: Wheldon liked to steal unattended cell phones and send funny text messages.

Fellow drivers and former teammates Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta shared their own stories of Wheldon. Friends remembered Wheldon as someone who needed to be neat and have everything in its place. Franchitti, Kanaan and Herta relayed stories of messing up his locker and hotel room in order to play jokes on Wheldon.

The drivers poked fun at Wheldon’s style and flair, also calling him “the little brother we never wanted” because he was younger, more attractive and won more races.

“And now we would do anything to have him back,” Franchitti said.

Kanaan said that while they played practical jokes and teased one another, they weren’t making fun of Wheldon.

“I laughed at him, and with him, over the years because I loved him,” Kanaan said.

Wheldon’s father and siblings recorded a greeting played for the audience at Conseco Fieldhouse. The family thanked fans for their support of Wheldon over the years.

Fans began filtering in early for the service, and several speakers remarked that the turnout would have pleased Wheldon. Fans signed a banner with messages for Wheldon and his family. Many people also left flowers and took photos.