RIP Justin Wilson 1978-2015
Today Indycar racing mourns the tragic loss of one of its most beloved figures. Justin Wilson has died today at the age of 37 after sustaining a fatal head injury in sunday's ABC Supply 500 in Pocono. The native of Sheffield, UK had over 117 Indycar starts and had won seven races.
A talent in junior levels, Wilson after winning the Formula Palmer Audi title moved up to Formula 3000 in 1999. In a dominant season he would capture the title in 2002 with three wins which secured him a Formula 1 seat the next season. Despite concerns over his 6"4 height, Wilson performed admirably whilst driving for the struggling Minardi team. A mid season switch to better funded Jaguar team would season him score his one and only F1 point at the US Grand Prix.
However, although his talent was established Jaguar would opt against signing Wilson for 2004 which led to his move stateside. Wilson entered the Champ Car series with Conquest racing, but a switch to Rusport in 2005 would gave him a career high finest of 3rd overall and led to three wins over the next three seasons.
When Champ Car was merged with the Indy Racing League, Wilson began a new adventure yet again. Driving for a number of teams including Newman-Haas, Dale Coyne, Dreyer & Reinbold to finally Andretti Autosports, Wilson notched up three wins between 2008 and 2015. Sadly his good driving didn't always match the results, over this time period Wilson didn't place higher than sixth overall in the standings. This season had seen him without a regular drive, but he did notched up a second place finish at Mid-Ohio.
Wilson is the second British driver to die in the Indycar series since 2011 and racing has been deprived of a lovable and genuine personality. On a side note, I actually had the pleasure to meet Justin at the Autosport show in 1998 and that autograph still stands proudly in my collection. My thoughts go out to his family at this time.
In closing I include footage of his memorable final win at the 2012 Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
A talent in junior levels, Wilson after winning the Formula Palmer Audi title moved up to Formula 3000 in 1999. In a dominant season he would capture the title in 2002 with three wins which secured him a Formula 1 seat the next season. Despite concerns over his 6"4 height, Wilson performed admirably whilst driving for the struggling Minardi team. A mid season switch to better funded Jaguar team would season him score his one and only F1 point at the US Grand Prix.
However, although his talent was established Jaguar would opt against signing Wilson for 2004 which led to his move stateside. Wilson entered the Champ Car series with Conquest racing, but a switch to Rusport in 2005 would gave him a career high finest of 3rd overall and led to three wins over the next three seasons.
When Champ Car was merged with the Indy Racing League, Wilson began a new adventure yet again. Driving for a number of teams including Newman-Haas, Dale Coyne, Dreyer & Reinbold to finally Andretti Autosports, Wilson notched up three wins between 2008 and 2015. Sadly his good driving didn't always match the results, over this time period Wilson didn't place higher than sixth overall in the standings. This season had seen him without a regular drive, but he did notched up a second place finish at Mid-Ohio.
Wilson is the second British driver to die in the Indycar series since 2011 and racing has been deprived of a lovable and genuine personality. On a side note, I actually had the pleasure to meet Justin at the Autosport show in 1998 and that autograph still stands proudly in my collection. My thoughts go out to his family at this time.
In closing I include footage of his memorable final win at the 2012 Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
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