The muted celebration by Ryan Reay-Hunter and his team after his victory at the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday turned into several moments of silence by the racing community over the death of Justin Wilson.
Debris from the spun-out car of rookie Sage Karam struck the 37-year-old Wilson on lap 179 of the 200-lap race in Long Pond, Pa., USA Today Sports reported.
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The nose cone from the race car of Karam, who was winning the race, bounced on the track and struck a trailing Wilson in the helmet, Yahoo Sports added. Wilson was knocked unconscious and his car veered left and crashed into the inner wall.
I can't find the proper words to describe the pain and sympathy I feel for Justin and his family. #RIPJustin— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) August 25, 2015
A helicopter airlifted Wilson, a teammate of Reay-Hunter, to Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pa., where Wilson was reported to be in a coma. He died Monday.
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Wilson, who is the first IndyCar driver since Dan Wheldon in 2011 to be killed in a major U.S.-based auto racing series, is survived by wife Julia and daughters Jane, 7, and Jessica 5. "This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"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. As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin's family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time."
Reaction from the racing community Monday was flooded with sentiments of sadness and remembrances of Wilson as a person of outstanding character.
Father, Husband, Friend, just an amazing human being. We will miss you to no end. Love to the Wilson Family. #RIPJustin— Scott Dixon (@scottdixon9) August 25, 2015
Sending my prayers to Justin's family, Julia,Jessica,Jane, may God give the strength to find peace. #RIP my friend pic.twitter.com/SJO08gvuzG— Helio Castroneves (@h3lio) August 25, 2015
So sad to hear that we lost Justin Wilson today. Thoughts & prayers to his family and friends.— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) August 25, 2015
Wilson was a native of Sheffield, England and resided in Longmont, Colo., as he found a partial ride with the Andretti Autosport Team in 2015.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson," Andretti Autosport released in a statement to the media. "He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport. While Justin was only part of the Andretti lineup for a short time, it only took a second for him to forever become part of the Andretti family. 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."
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