The 2010 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the more popular drivers in the sport, Dan Wheldon, died Sunday afternoon after a horrific 15 car crash.  The collision happened on lap 13 of the IndyCar Series season finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wheldon was driving the #77 car, which you can see in the left hand side of the photo.

Wheldon, 33, was pronounced dead approximately two hours after he was airlifted to University Medical Center.

IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard made the officials announcement of Wheldon's death without further comment. In a statement, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said, “IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor."

Wheldon, from Emberton, England, was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season and attempting to not only win the event, but earn a $5 million bonus that was part of a league promotion for drivers who didn't compete full-time in the series this year.

Warning: The videos below may not be suitable for all audiences.


This footage is from the ABC's broadcast of the race. You can see that the camera was riding along with Wheldon just moments before he crashed.


Here is a replay and different view of the crash.


Here is the 'exciting' last lap and finish to the 2011 Indianapolis 500


More From 97.1 KXRX