Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
JR Hildebrand was one turn away from winning the Indianapolis 500 on his very first try. Then, within sight of the checkered flag, the 23-year-old Californian made the ultimate mistake.
Hildebrand slammed into the wall on the final turn, and Dan Wheldon drove past to claim what appeared to be an improbable Indy 500 win Sunday in his first race of the year.
“It’s a helpless feeling,” Hildebrand said.
While Wheldon celebrated, gulped milk in Victory Lane and kissed the bricks at the start-finish line, his apparent second career Indy win was not yet official. As of 4 p.m. ET, official results had not been posted and the finish of the race was under review by IndyCar Series officials.
Hildebrand’s crumpled machine slid across the finish line in second place while hugging the wall. While Wheldon celebrated, IndyCar officials reviewed the video to see if Wheldon passed the wrecked machine before the caution lights went on. It appeared he did, giving the Brit another Indy 500 title with a part-time team.
There was no protest filed as of 4 p.m. ET. Even if Wheldon passed Hildebrand under the yellow, that penalty can not be grounds for a protest.
Wheldon, the 2005 winner but without a full-time ride this season, appeared headed for his third straight runner-up finish as Hildebrand took the white flag with a comfortable lead and needing only to make it through the last of 200 laps around the 2½-mile speedway.
The first three turns went smoothly. Then Hildebrand came up on another rookie, Charlie Kimball, in the fourth turn. Instead of backing off, Hildebrand moved to the outside to make the pass, got in the rough patch of the track and lost control. He slammed the wall, allowing Wheldon to drive into Victory Lane.
“I caught him in the wrong piece of track,” Hildebrand said. “I got up in the marbles and that was it.”
But what brought disappointment to Hildebrand brought joy to Wheldon.
“I just felt a lot of relief. It’s an incredible feeling,” Wheldon said. “I never gave up.”
–ESPN
