Indy 500 Race - 2011 Winner - Exciting Final 4 Laps - Down to Last Turn

All rights reserved including but not limited to IRL, ABC, ESPN - Indy 500 - 2011 Race decided in last turn, turn four. At 20 laps to-go most of the top 10 positions had to pit for fuel. Between 20 and 4 laps the lead changed several times, as cars pitted for fuel, Danica Patrick and Bertrand Baguette were leading. With 4 laps to go rookie JR Hildebrand got the lead. He was leading and the apparent winner, about to take checkered flag, when he swung too wide in last turn, for lapped traffic, hitting the wall just short of the finish. Dan Wheldon avoided the lapped traffic and accident, passed and won the race. JR Hildebrand's wrecked race car slid down the track against the wall, across the brick yards finish line, placing second.
20 laps to go (compare to the finishing positions):
1 Danica Patrick
2 Tomas Scheckter
3 Bertrand Baguette
4 Marco Andretti
5 Dario Franchitti
6 JR Hildebrand (2nd place dispite crash in turn 4)
7 Charlie Kimball
8 Scott Dixon
9 Tony Kanaan
10 Dan Wheldon (eventual winner)
Full results from the 2011 Indy 500:
1.Dan Wheldon
2.J.R. Hildebrand
3.Graham Rahal
4.Tony Kanaan
5.Oriol Servia
6.Scott Dixon
7.Bertrand Baguette
8.Tomas Scheckter
9.Marco Andretti
10.Danica Patrick
11.Ed Carpenter
12.Dario Franchitti
13.Charlie Kimball

[@gone-sovereign]

I come back to this video every October 16th. RIP Dan Wheldon.

[@gmcjetpilot]

That is a nice... thanks for the post.

[@gemstone6499]

We respect you.. Forever

[@StripeGurger]

God, man, I don't follow Indycar (coming from the 600) but I looked up Wheldon and I have to tell you, watching that Vegas video, got me tearing up pretty bad. How astonishingly sad.

[@AlextheSportsFan]

That and Dale Earnhardt Jr. running out of gas in Charlotte during the 600.... it was a bad day for the National Guard.

[@sabastianmoore6160]

AlextheSportsFan Most heartbreaking moment I've seen

[@sabastianmoore6160]

AlextheSportsFan Bad day for Our troops watching. J.R. lose in the final turn and and then. just hours later, Jr running out of fuel on the last lap #MEMORIALDAY2011WASTHEWORST

[@CyprusHartford]

it was a bad day for national guard sponsors named JR

[@tobiojo5806]

I watched that race in 2011 and was shocked when JR Hildebrand hit the wall close to the finish line. Then in the Coke 600, Dale JR ran out of fuel on the last lap of the race. Both of them had National guard as their sponsors.

[@0123renee]

+Tobi Ojo I call it "The National Jinx"

[@sonnybization]

I was in Pit Terrace and saw him hit. I really felt bad for him.

[@BlueJimmie48Fan]

as EmpLemon says, it was a rare case of "synchronized choking"

[@24RulezJG]

R.I.P Dan Wheldon

[@JoeWinkelShowtimeSports]

Just teared up watching this. So emotional. RIP to one of the best ever. Dan Wheldon.

[@DanTheCaptain]

R.I.P Dan Wheldon: He died happy doing what he loved best with one of the BEST wins in motorsports history!!

[@jeffmurray4627]

I really hope that JR Hildebrand wins an Indy 500 one day. It was so heartbreaking watching that happen live. I was shocked. I was happy for Dan Wheldon though, in what tragically his final Indy 500. :(

[@bw-leftturnracing7779]

This was his best chance at a win. He never got that close again. Not just an Indy 500 win but a Indycar win in general.

[@Ethan-yl8hx]

@@bw-leftturnracing7779 HUH? 2017 phonix, 2017 Iowa??? literally every Indy500 he’s also competitive

[@antekustura5874]

Rest in peace, Dan.

[@secondchairsolution]

Greatest day of my life. He was my racing hero. Las Vegas that year tore my heart out when he was killed. Still haven't watched an Indy Car race since. Too painful :(

[@gagemcpherson4454]

I hear ya man I got his autograph the day before this race and I was so happy when he won I felt bad for Hildebrand I think it affected his career but Las Vegas later when Dan was killed was devestating I thought about never watching again but before St Pete in 2012 I realized that's not what Dan would want me to do so I've still watched every race and I've been to every Indy 500 since 2002 and I went to Texas also in 2018

[@RunescapeAsher]

I still remember watching this live and every time I watch it it's like dang there was a time when Hildebrand still had a chance...RIP Dan Wheldon

[@ArgentinaFan76]

One of the best finishes in Indy 500 history. RIP Dan Wheldon

[@classicsportclassictiyl8547]

all JR Hildebrand had to do was just back off and just follow the backmarker Kendall round turn 4 and then slipstream him on the straight but he went round the outside got on the marbles and it pulled him into the fence heartbreaker.

[@patrickroden4481]

In less than 10 hours, at 2 crown jewel races, in 2 different series, came down to the National Guard car leading in turn 4 on the final lap, only to not make it to the finish line with the lead

[@damarfadlan9251]

10 years ago..... How this is still HEARTBROKEN for JR Hildebrand. Larson now also got that heartbreak in 2021 Pocono 2.

[@bw-leftturnracing7779]

JR never recovered from this mistake

[@mikulitsi1819]

I'm still sad and will forever be sad for JR that he hasn't managed to win Indy after this chance...

[@zachg9065]

I remember watching this with my dad back in 2011 and we couldn’t believe that he crashed literally in sight of the finish line. Such a heartbreak, but we were Dan Wheldon fans and it was great to see him win

[@outdoorrn2980]

One of the biggest chokes in sports history.

[@BrianSchaffer]

The biggest choke in television history!!

[@gregbernstein6430]

Brian G Not really. The car he passed was doing only 120 per hour. With Dan Weldon close behind; he had a split second decision to make. It’s easy to second guess Hildebrand, that he should have backed of the throttle. Remember Dan was close behind.

[@ianfromwiisports]

greg bernstein off*

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

greg bernstein Dan wasn’t getting anywhere near him lol, look how long it took for Wheldon to get past him even after he hit the wall

[@johnroby6524]

It was totally Charlie Kimball's fault for being in the fucking way going 100 mph too slow. There was absolutely no reason he should've been in the leaders' way and affected the outcome of the race like that. I still consider J.R. and Wheldon to both be 1 time winners of this race.

[@starkers1997]

This finish is so underrated (might be biased here as I’m from the UK).

[@benjamincombs3403]

Nah you’re not being bias I feel the same way and I’m from the states

[@davidcarter2720]

Was so happy that Wheldon won again. He was my favorite driver at the time - had his Indy home just on the other side of the block from us. Didn't know him, but his family was very open & friendly. Still miss him, as do race fans around the world.

[@mariaampilova]

RIP

[@damarfadlan9251]

@@davidcarter2720 the 2011 Indy 500 actually held alongside the premiere of "The LoveLive School Idol Project Movie".

[@damarfadlan9251]

@@mariaampilova hi Ampilova.

[@mikesavage381]

Jenson Button and Dan Wheldon raced together in their carting days, and Button always maintained that Wheldon was the only driver he couldn't beat. Thats how good dan wheldon was, definitely could have cut it in F1

[@benjamincombs3403]

Sure he had the talent to do anything in Motorsports. IndyCar fit his fearless spirit, he was one of the best oval drivers the series has ever had. RIP Dan

[@JP_Stoeffler]

It is never over until its over

[@IndyGST4]

Best driver ever at the Cathedral of Racing. You will be missed Dan. May your soul forever rest in the grandest cathedral of them all...the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

[@kelsimorrison5386]

RIP Dan wheldon at least he won this race before he died

[@91lemlem]

I remember watching this entire race and at no point did any commentators actually mention Dan's chances of winning.....until the chequered flag. It was always someone else the focused on. They were surprised when he crossed the line first. Makes it so much sweeter. RIP Lionheart.

[@seanharshey]

Wheldon was a favorite of mine since he won at Indy in '05. Unfortunately, he had gotten shuffled down the food chain of teams in the years afterward. No doubt in part due to his enormous attitude. But he really was that good. I had him tuned in on my scanner and was following him at the race. He had exactly ZERO chance of winning the 2011 Indy 500. He was driving maybe the 18th or 20th best car in the field. We had great seats in E Penthouse in Turn 1, and I kept telling my wife what a great race Dan was having. He had a mediocre car, but he was running perfect lines very smoothly and making no mistakes whatsoever. No bobbles, no mistimed shifts, no checking-up on misjudged passes. He was just incredibly smooth and incredibly confident. But his car was not a contender. Period. But he kept picking up a spot and running perfect lines, so he never gave it back. He'd run as fast as the car would go and then, when someone in front of him made a mistake, he'd pick up another spot. He did that the whole race. I remember saying how amazing it was that he might get a top-10 finish out of that thrown-together team/car/sponsor. In the final laps when he worked his way into the top 5 and several cars started pitting for a splash of fuel, me & my buddy were excited for him that he was going to get a podium finish. The only reason he was in position to pass Hildebrand at the line is because he raced as hard as he could race all the way to the finish. He could've relaxed and taken a 2nd or 3rd place finish and been a hero, considering the car and team he had to work with. You're exactly right. Nobody on the radio or TV broadcast of that Indy 500 said Wheldon's name all day long. Because he was an after-thought in the field. He wasn't fast. He wasn't with a big team. But Wheldon's win that day was a metaphor for life and an example that I've shared with others. Never, ever give up. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, you never know what might happen to change everything. Wheldon demonstrated what happens when you do your best and never quit.

[@dustinharlow7583]

Gutted just no other words but happy for dan fate was meant too see Wheldon win 🏁

[@tom.mcnamara]

That’s so heartbreaking for JR Hildebrand

[@garrettburkle8401]

Happy 42 birthday Weldon! Ripdanny

[@Secretarian]

Wow, Franchitti went from battling for 2nd to nowhere in the last 3 laps.

[@stevenmcdaniel2129]

He was one of the cars trying to stretch the fuel to the finish and Dario's came up a splash short.

[@jakefaust4409]

this has never left my mind so vividly the heartbreak for hildebrand and excitment happiness from wheldon then to lose him 5 months later

[@flatdaddio]

I was sitting in turn four and watch the whole thing unfold in front of me. Unbelievable Finish!!!

[@N1Gaming]

This is why I love IndyCar

[@kelsimorrison5386]

What a heartbreaking for j.r Hildebrand

[@jamesw2947]

I still get goosebumps watching this

[@Dschwag98]

Borg Warner trophy faces from 2011 and on: Dan wheldon, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanan

[@XxPunk1995xX]

All he had to do was lift in turn four.... What a different story that would've been

[@altfactor]

How would Sid Collins or Jim McKay have called the 2011 finish?

[@SuperBruinsfan22]

I still cry watching this.

[@patrickgray5633]

Sad all around sad for JR to lose it that way. Wheldon wins & he’s no longer with us now cause they shouldn’t have been allowed to run at Vegas. I remember Danica & other drivers talking about how dangerous this is getting & shortly after that Dan dies in a crash.

[@campbellmunn5326]

Yes. At Las Vegas, it’s just too fast of a track and just flat at dangerous. Indycar shoulda been sued for it by Wheldon’s family

[@Alex_Mac_]

One if my most prized positions is my 1:18 scale race win die cast of Wheldon's #98 car. It's the original one with the Indy 500 box and the driver in the cockpit. I had kind of decided before the race this was the year I wanted to get the Indy 500 win diecast, and was even more special knowing how the year turned out. RIP Dan Wheldon, always a role model!

[@jazzsax1965]

I like Formula 1 racing too but there is no way it tops IRL Racing, especially when they (IRL) race on ovals. What did they have in Formula 1 this year, 1 driver won over 90% of the races? And more often than not in Formula 1 the driver who takes the lead on the opening lap first turn usually wins the race without EVER being passed? What's so much more exciting about that?

[@SamuelLiu2001]

This season is the best ever.

[@ScottBeyerRacing]

HE BLEW IT

[@countryfan3709]

This and 2006 have been awesome well 2014 and 2017 too but 2011 was awesome fate determined the winner

[@DanielSong39]

Hildebrand looked like a solo breakaway rider trying to fend off the bunch sprint right behind him

[@paco448]

Great emotions!Dan Wheldon is my hero!

[@gao1258]

all it takes is looking at the scroll the last few laps, Wheldon was freakin standing on it the whole way, what a racer....and a champion...if you go to the IMS museum ATM, Dan's restored car from this race is sitting next to the Marmon Wasp

[@Alex_Mac_]

This might forever be my favorite Indy 500 ever. I was looking at the ticker and I had thought a Ganassi was still second, then when I saw the white and orange thread the needle between JR and Kimball I was like "No way, it's Dan Wheldon!" Great story how he didn't have a ride to. I had been pulling for the underdog Schmidt cars to, though Tags was my bullet all month, not lying, lol, but was a great race all the way through and a bunch of stories!

[@hoopbird]

RIP DAN this is what i will always remeber about this great guy

[@avcat]

RIP Dan Wheldon. Very shocking and upsetting end. Want to remember him this way!

[@KashvinderMann]

I think Bryan Herta might have said it best, Dan Wheldon is the best race car driver at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and I can't argue with him. Sucks that a fairy-tale story like this had to have a tragic ending. At least Dan's last win will be at the biggest race of any year, the Indy 500! RIP Dan Wheldon

[@paco448]

congratulations for Bryan Herta and Dan Wheldon!

[@Christianntaylor]

My first ever 500 and the best!

[@JGR4LIFE]

The most heartbreaking loss in racing history

[@Diecastreviews]

Best finish in the history of racing, ever.

[@ccx806]

My personal favorite is the 1992 Indy 500

[@BobABooey.]

Sorry but 1989 and 1991.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

How that? A rookie mistake cost the rookie the win, a truly memorable finish. But it does not make it a good finish. Just think of 1982 and 1992.

[@AidanMillward]

2008 Brazilian Grand Prix.

[@slipinr]

2006 Indy 500 might be second

[@roscoegarbonzo9966]

God has a plan for everything & Dan Wheldon

[@potatogirlcultist19]

The first 20 seconds are just pure gold. Bertrand Baguette winning the Indy 500, but unfortunately, fuel consumption is a thing :(

[@acemulligan7010]

I was sitting in Turn 4 and watched it happen in front of me. A little wiggle and then sparks coming off the wall. This just goes to prove it ain't over till it's over.

[@dougmatheis108]

Got both rookies in a draw, was not happy, then jr hits the wall, I was counting my money ☹

[@SamuelLiu2001]

This season was cursed and tragic.

[@flutgos]

What a crazy finish. I could not believe it. I had a feeling that he wasn't going to get around Kimball.

[@Thomasuki267]

I was there, seats on pit row inside, what an event.

[@slipinr]

That happened right in front of me and I can’t describe the gasp and confusion of the crowd at that moment, still gives me chills

[@GatoradeCupSeriesX94]

2011. wish we can turn back time to the good old days...

[@sanitydotorg]

Up until a few minutes ago, I thought this would stand forever as the one of the best/craziest moments at Indy, but TK just took the checkered flag. I

[@ilichjames]

R.I.P DaN

[@homeperson11244]

If only j.r wins, it'll the first and only motorcycle to win indy500

[@SamuelLiu2001]

I think I watched this live.

[@eatsleeprollercoasterrepea6609]

Yeeeaaahh Dan!!!

[@bcschneider53]

Five years ago today...RIP #Lionheart

[@RunescapeAsher]

Ultimate definition of taking an L

[@MegaLlamalord]

you do realize that just because you report someone doesn't mean their account is going to be deleted right?

[@TanDawg58]

This was the first year I was able to watch both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 in my life, and in both, the guy I would have liked to see win have problems on the last lap coming out if turn 4. JR Hildebrand hits the wall and Dale Jr runs out of gas

[@mpmonzon]

The worst way to lose a race

[@johnjones5354]

As devastating as this was for Hildebrand, it can be argued that it was worse for Dan Wheldon. Had Hildebrand made it through turn 4 and won, it is very possible that Dan would not have been in the season ending race at Las Vegas, where, sadly he lost his life.

[@PenultimateSpan11]

At 2:21 And 2:30: TroubleMaker Henry And Singing Bo React To Maya Holding A Baby Princess

[@eannamcnamara9338]

My god he really fucking bottled it

[@RyanSheehan64]

R.I.P. Dan

[@lokitojrfunnyvideos6068]

Dan Weldon was a 2 time Indy 500 champion

[@Pwyll]

@gmcjetpilot if the only thing on tv is formula one you start to like (when you grow up with it) so just imagine you never had the chance to watch indycar,you only could watch formula one (before 2003 04 there was overtaking in f1, too ;) ) you would like it too i still like f1 more than indy but thats because i grew up with it same thing with you and indycar i guess

[@SonnyBennett18]

ahh damm i feel soo bad for hildebrand :O

[@Johnnyonthespot1]

12 years later and i still aint ran into that charlie mfker who was going 50 mph slower and got in the way of the rookie.

[@TheOneBoobedNation]

wow heartbreaker.

[@R.Clayton]

@Killer31st I SWEAR WERE NOT ALL LIKE THIS i like NASCAR and f1 soccer isn't my thing tho, i can see why everyone hates us now -.-

[@bariba88]

wow this was an exciting finish....but still cant compare this sport with Formula 1. F1 is much more exciting every lap every second and feel verry sorry for this guy Hildebrand he deserved the victory :S

[@RickDesotell]

@bariba88 i like F1 but IndyCar is wayyyyyy better... but Monaco this year was kickass

[@DanielSong39]

Dixon ran out of fuel last lap

[@archvile1313]

I don't watch the indy series but I do like the indy 500. Why didn't he keep it straight on the outside line of the curve? Was it hard because of the lapped car? He looked good going into it.

[@Dalton1294]

What happened was Hildebrand had to go out of the racing line and into the marbles where there is no grip to get around the lapped car

[@JacobGames66]

+Zrzrz Zrzrz tbh it was a rookie move, he could have waited, he had enough of a lead

[@archvile1313]

Jacob Reid lol yeah I just realized he had a gap to make it to the end behind that car. Good point.

[@Silverbullet1222]

it was meant to be

[@HackAsteroid7541]

All JR had to do was to hit the brakes and slowly get past the lapped car instead of going near full throttle.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Hit the brakes mid corner at 200mph+? That's not going to end well either.

[@Shark2497]

low key I would have slammed on the brakes if I was Wheldon, but that's just me.

[@Junieper]

Shark24 Why?

[@madc2004]

You gotta understand that as a racer, you cant do that. 1 you're there to compete. 2 you'll probably end up wrecking yourself by by doing that. Plus Dan knew it was 4 and he had dealt with that team's bullshit the last 2 years so it was the ultimate fuck you to them and sweet sweet revenge

[@Boodew-uw8hh]

Was I the only one there disappointed with D W winning?

[@jramosfilms]

I wish jr. Won.

[@TAVIII]

I did too but Dan is dead so I guess it's better he won it at his last attempt

[@jramosfilms]

true

[@viper2131]

Kyro Sad thing is that if JR won, Dan would probably still be alive since there's no reason to have the 2nd place guy start last in the las vegas race, if he raced at all...still that's all technicalities that would never bring him back =(

[@ethanweeter2732]

To me, 2006 is still the better finish.

[@AlonsoRules]

JR ran out of fuel and that's why the car didn't turn. He wouldn't have won it.

[@mikelewis495]

3:37 Pun intended?

[@MattCav15]

JR should've won this race. That slow car should've been on the service road with how slow he was driving. Such BS. Indy car 10+ year ago was so bad, any team in that position should've made sure that slow car was nowhere in sight. Wouldn't happen today.

[@MarcoEvens]

That was the first race I went to

[@ianfromwiisports]

JR Hildebrand: *Calls 911* 911: 911 what’s your emergency? Hildebrand: I am choking in the 2011 Indy 500. 911: I am sorry. The ambulance will be on the way. Hildebrand: Thank y- *chokes too much, AAAAAAAHHH!!, and dies*

[@HawkOfGP]

No such thing when the leading car makes a mistake. I would agree that it was gifted if this was a mechanical failure, but even so, that's motor racing. Hildrebrand didn't have the composure to win Indy 500, Dan Wheldon did.

[@azairvine]

One of the saddest finishes to an Indy 500...... Why? JR doesn't hit the wall Dan doesn't win Dan doesn't get the ride @ Vegas..... :'( RIP DW

[@nachoalvarez7171]

But he did get the ride at Kentucky tho

[@unputer]

Not to speak ill of Wheldon, but this was a 100% gift from Hildebrand. Wheldon may have "earned" 2nd place but he was gifted 1st.

[@funny_fuzee4637]

#RipDan

[@Pwyll]

@gmcjetpilot first of all i'm european (german) second, soccer SUCKS ! and the whole IndyCar x Formula One story: here you cant really watch indyCar (not that easy^^) ... i still do and love it but heres the thing: