The racing world was devastated when seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at Daytona 10 years ago.   However, that tragedy forced sweeping safety improvements in NASCAR, which has not suffered a fatality since.    Today, IndyCar is mourning the loss of Dan Wheldon, the 33 year old two time Indy 500 winner, who died in a tragic 15-car pileup at Las Vegas Motor Speedway yesterday.  ''IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,'' IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said, as reported on Fox Sports.  ''Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today.  IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race.''

In his honor, drivers, many sobbing openly, drove a five-lap salute around the 1.5-mile oval.    As they made their way around the track, Wheldon's No. 77 was the only car shown on the towering scoreboard.  The sound of ''Danny Boy'' echoed around the track, followed by ''Amazing Grace''  as fans and crew stood at attention, in tears.  ''What can you say? We're going to miss him,'' Wheldon's former boss Chip Ganassi said. ''Everybody in IndyCar died a little today.''   Read more here.     Dan is survived by his wife Susie, and their two young sons, Sebastian and Oliver.  A young man taken way too soon.  Thoughts and prayers from the K99.1FM family go out to the Wheldon family and the racing industry.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aArokfan3ak