Verizon IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson has died after being hospitalized in a coma.
Wilson sustained a severe head injury during the Aug. 23 race at Pocono Raceway.
Race leader Sage Karam crashed ahead of the pack, scattering debris on the track. A large piece of Karam’s nose cone bounced in the air, striking Wilson in the head as he drove by.
Wilson’s car swerved left and struck the inside wall head-on.
“This is a monumentally sad day for INDYCAR and the motorsports community as a whole,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility — which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock. As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin’s family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Wilson is survived by his wife, Julia, and two daughters. His younger brother Stefan is an accomplished race car driver who has competed in the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights. Funeral arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up for Wilson children. Donations may be sent to: Wilson Children’s Fund, c/o INDYCAR, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222.
According to WTHR, Wilson, 37, is the first IndyCar driver killed in an accident since fellow Englishman Dan Wheldon died during the season-ending race in Las Vegas in October 2011.
NEXT STORY: ‘WATCH: Rogue Rabbit Halts NASCAR Practice’
Verizon IndyCar Series driver Sage Karam, who was transported by ground to the hospital after the crash on Lap 180, was evaluated and released. According to Dr. Terry Trammell, INDYCAR medical consultant, CT scans revealed no broken bones for the Chip Ganassi Racing Teams driver from Nazareth, Pa. Karam, 20, will be re-evaluated before being cleared to drive.
“First and foremost, I just hope everything is OK with Justin Wilson,” Karam said at the time. “Justin is the priority and everything else is secondary at this point. As far as the race, we had a really great race car and I felt comfortable and in a position to be in striking distance for the win. The car just unfortunately came around on me in the middle of Turn 1 and I had no indication it was about to go.”
A native of Sheffield, England, Wilson recorded seven career Indy car victories — the most recent in 2012 at Texas Motor Speedway — and eight pole starts in 174 races. He totaled 711 career laps led, including two in the Aug. 23 race. He competed in Formula One in 2003 with Minardi and Jaguar, and his initial F1 points were scored that year in the U.S. Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He co-drove a Michael Shank Racing sports car entry to the overall victory in the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2012.
