IndyCar veteran Justin Wilson Passes
INDIANAPOLIS -RIS- (August 24, 2015) INDYCAR has just announced that Verizon IndyCar Series veteran driver Justin Wilson has succumbed to injuries sustained late in yesterday's race at Pocono.
Wilson, 37, was struck by debris from Sage Karam's accident on Lap 180 of the 200-lap event at the venerable Pennsylvania tri-oval. He was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pa., with severe head trauma. He was listed in critical condition, remaining in a coma throughout.
The Sheffield, England-born Wilson was driving a short season this season for Andretti Motorsport. He was a seven-time Indy car race winner, most recently at Texas in 2012, the same year he also co-drove to an overall victory at the Rolex 24-Hours at Daytona for Michael Shank Racing. Wilson also competed in Formula One with Minardi and Jaguar.
Wilson's 6'4" frame made him an easy driver to spot in the IndyCar paddock, and RIS remembers it's many encounters with great fondness.
Wilson is the first IndyCar driver to die in competition since Dan Wheldon in 2011, and the second open-wheel driver to die of severe head trauma since Formula 1's Jules Bianchi died in July from injuries sustained in the Japanese Grand Prix last October.
Wilson is survived by his wife, Julia, brother Stefan, and two daughters. Donations may be sent to: Wilson Children's Fund, c/o INDYCAR, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222.
Tom Beeler
Tom has been a contributor to RIS since 1992. He was invited to join the staff as a full-time reporter/editor in 1995, and has covered IndyCar, Formula 1, NASCAR, Grand-Am, ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to his RIS work, Tom has been a contributor for General Motors, Nissan, Toyota and the ACO.