IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died on Monday after suffering a severe head injury during the closing laps of a race the previous day at Pocono Raceway, IndyCar officials said, according to FOX Sports.
With 20 laps remaining in the ABC Supply 500, Sage Karam spun into the wall. His car broke apart upon impact and the nosecone dislodged. As the nosecone was falling back down toward the track, it struck Wilson in the head, according to The Bleacher Report. The IndyCar Series then announced Wilson was being airlifted to a local hospital.
In 119 career races on the IndyCar circuit, Wilson had three wins and 12 podium finishes. Before that, he had spent four years in the Champ Car World Series, earning four checkered flags in 54 races. His last win came in the 2012 Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Twice in the previous seven years Wilson finished in the top 10 of the IndyCar standings.
"Justin's elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility, which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent company of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson," Wilson's Andretti Autosport team said in a statement, according to Yahoo! News. "He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport. His life and racing career is a story of class and passion surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson family and fans worldwide."
The 37-year-old British driver called Longmont, Colo.home. He is survived by his wife, Julia, and his two daughters, ages 7 and 5.
Colleagues of Wilsons took to social media to express their condolence to Wilson's family and to remember their friend:
Oh man, my heart is aching another friend gone. Godspeed to one of racing's truest gentlemen. #justinwilson
— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) August 25, 2015
