dan wheldon

The winner of the 2011 Indy 500 gets twice as much in prize money as the driver in second place, but no one walks away with a less than a quarter of a million dollars after Sunday.

The 23-year old Indy 500 rookie nearly scooped the biggest prize in motorsport. How does anyone pick themselves up from such a devastating last-turn crash?

Dan Wheldon was never far from the front of the field during the three hours of the 2011 Indy 500, but he never looked like winning and never led a lap. Except the last one.

Ever since teams and drivers arrived at Indianapolis, there has been a rolling campaign to get IndyCar to drop double file restarts for the Indy 500. But to no avail: they stay.

IndyCar has published the entry list for this year's running of the Indy 500. 42 cars will compete to line up on the starting grid, including four former winners and five rookies.

Will Power won the Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, confirming the Aussie's dominant form on road courses in 2010.

The teaming-up of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti at Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2009 IndyCar Series will see the pairing 'bring out the best in each other' and has the potential to become the most successful partnership in the history of the multiple championship-winning outfit.

Even though what looked to be a very promising Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona debut for Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti ended suddenly at 6am on Sunday morning, both drivers were full of praise for their Howard-Boss team and the Grand Am Series as a whole.

It was a case of nearly but not quite for Andretti-Green Racing teammates Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon in Sunday's rain shortened Indy 500 as both came up a little short against Buddy Rice in the final, critical 20 lap run to the premature chequered flag.

"I could not have asked for better teammates. Certainly, with Michael's help, initially as a teammate as well as team owner, and certainly Tony Kanaan, that has been a fantastic help. I think being in this situation has helped speed up my learning curve.