How Do We Make Sense Of This?

I bet most of you were probably expecting a World Series preview, but that's going to have to wait until next time.  First we've got this IndyCar tragedy that we have to try to find some way to wrap our fingers around.  How are we supposed to make sense of this?  I can't.  I'm having trouble even trying.

By now, I'm sure all of you know the details.  On the 11th lap of the IndyCar season finale at Las Vegas, there was a massive, 15-car pile up.  It was so devastating that the fires it caused created holes in the asphalt that had to be repaired.  I've seen the video.  And the photos.  They're equally spectacular and horrifying.  Of course, things were made even worse two hours later when the devastating news broke.  Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon lost his life in the crash.  The cause given was "unsurvivable injuries" that we've since found out was blunt force trauma to the head.

I was shocked when I heard and I have tears in my eyes right now as I write this.  All race car drivers understand the danger and the risk they're taking every time they get behind the wheel.  It's also one of the things that makes auto racing such an exciting sport to watch.  That doesn't make it any easier when these tragedies happen.  Fortunately (and remarkably) they don't happen that often.  It's the first IndyCar death since Paul Dana in 2006 and the highest-profile racing death since NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

This tragedy is unspeakable on so many levels.  Of course, there's the randomness of it all.  But it's also the circumstances surrounding why Wheldon was even in the race in the first place.  Despite having the fourth-most wins in IndyCar history, he didn't have a full-time ride this season.  That was going to change next year.  Yesterday morning Wheldon had signed a deal to replace Danica Patrick at Andretti Autosports when she moves to NASCAR next year.  He won the Indy 500, then spent most of the year testing the new car setup IndyCar will adopt in 2012.  This was just his third race of the season, and he was only entered because of a promotion open to all non-full-time drivers where they would start from the back of the field, but take home $5 million if they won the race.  Wheldon was the only driver to accept the challenge.

The fact that he had a wife and two small children doesn't make it any easier, either.  Nor does the fact that Wheldon was one of the most popular drivers in the garage.  Every driver that was interviewed afterwards tried to hold back tears.  Not many succeeded.  Dario Franchitti had just won a championship.  That was clinched when they appropriately decided to cancel the race.  He didn't care.  He'd just lost a friend.

There was a five-lap salute to Wheldon on the track shortly after his death was announced.  It was the drivers' decision.  Their way to pay tribute, and say goodbye, to their friend.  It was one of the most sadly beautiful things I've ever seen.

So how do we make sense of this tragedy?  I don't think there's a way for any of us to do that.  Instead, I'm going to think back to a happier time.  Five months ago.  When J.R. Hildebrand was on his way to an Indy 500 victory before he spun out on the final turn of the final lap.  Dan Wheldon went whizzing by to claim the checkered flag and drink the milk for the second time.  Forever a champion.  Rest in peace, Dan.  You will be missed.