Saturday, August 24, 2019

Justin Wilson Dies Following Ponoco Crash - August 24, 2015

July 31, 1978 - August 24, 2015
Justin Wilson
(Photo: f1.wikia.com)
Born in Sheffield, England.
Just before his death, he was competing part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 25 Honda for Andretti Autosport. Earlier, he competed in the Champ Car series from 2004–07, scoring four wins. He also competed in Formula One in the 2003 season with Minardi and Jaguar and was the winner of the 2001 International Formula 3000 championship. He was also a winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. To date, he is the tallest person to have raced in Formula One.

Wilson was fatally injured in an accident during the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway on August 23, 2015. Race leader Sage Karam crashed late in the race, sending debris airborne. The nose cone from Karam's crashed car hit Wilson's helmet as he drove through the accident scene, and Wilson's car immediately veered left into the inside wall. Wilson was extricated from his car and airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. He was subsequently reported to be in a coma, and died the following day.

Wilson married girlfriend Julia in Sheffield, England on December 29, 2006. The couple resided in Northampton, England and in Longmont, Colorado. They had two daughters, named Jane Louise and Jessica Lynne. Wilson's younger brother, Stefan, is also a racing driver. Stefan made his first IndyCar start in the 2013 Grand Prix of Baltimore driving alongside Justin for Dale Coyne Racing. It was the first time brothers had raced in IndyCar as teammates since Gary Bettenhausen and Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. in 1983.

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