Tragedy shows true reason to love racing...unity. R.I.P. Dan Wheldon

At only age 33, 2 time Indy 500 Champion (2005, 2011) and 2005 Indy Car Series Champion Dan Wheldon, passed away in a violent, fiery crash on lap 12 of the IZOD Indy Car World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Dan was much more than that though.  He was a loving father, husband, and son.  It only seems like yesterday that Dan was streaking by the wounded car of JR Hildebrand to win this year's Indianapolis 500, and celebrating with his trademark smile in victory lane.  Today is a bitter, somber reminder to all of us that enjoy motorsports that it is a dangerous, and it can become dangerous, even fatal, in the blink of an eye.  Moments like this show how fragile human life truly is, and goes to show you just never know when you will meet your maker, and how. However, after the wreck, other things emerged as well.  It showed one thing that I have known about this sport, and is the reason I love it so much.  During this trying time, EVERYONE CAME TOGETHER.  This tragic event brought the drivers and fans alike into unity for a singular cause, celebrating the life and memories of Dan Wheldon.  The sport doesn't always bring us together under such tragic circumstances, but this example proves yet again that, despite who you root for, how you may feel about someone at a point in time, you are ALL part of one big family. We all enjoy close, fast racing that excites us all, but we also enjoy the company and friendship of each other as well. The outpouring from the motorsports world has truly illustrated this point. Drivers and fans from all forms of motorsports have offered their condolences to Dan, his family, and friends.  I also extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to the Wheldon family as well to his friends, fans, and fellow competitors.  I would also like to say THANK YOU to EACH and EVERY driver who straps into a race car, risks their life, and races for the entertainment of us, the fans.  We all meet our maker at some point in time, and in various ways.  Dan met his doing something he absolutely loved doing, driving an Indy Car.  It is somewhat fitting, even though all of us didn't want to see him go.  Thanks for the memories Dan!!  Until next time...have fun up there at all of the different tracks up above!!