Paul Tracy says fatal IndyCar crash was 'war zone'

As a track worker for many GT, Indy and F1 races - I can't imagine the carnage. I had an Indy Lights racer go wheel to wheel with another right before my station this summer, and it ended shiny side down. We all got nailed by bits of carbon fiber and alumininum wheel parts.

That must have been chaos.

It amazed me that the media played the camera feed from Wheldon's car as he died. It was one of the most indecent things I think the mass media has ever done.

Jimmy Johnson had a very good point after the crash; these cars need to primarily be on road courses. Unless you have a leviathan of an oval like Indianapolis or can use something like restrictor plates, these cars don't belong on high-speed ovals. Too much speed without the roll cage and bulk of a NASCAR.

If Las Vegas really wants to host the last race of the season, they need to run it on a street circuit. Even the hideous Caesar's Palace parking lot course from the early 80s would be an improvement.

Champ Car used a Vegas Street Circuit in 2007, so it's a definite possibility.

Maybe, but it's no worse then how many times I had to see video of planes flying into the World Trade Center last month.

Maybe, but it's no worse then how many times I had to see video of planes flying into the World Trade Center last month.

I think the worst was every commercial break on TSN featured sponsorship commercials by Weldon, including the one immediately following the announcement of his death.

Actually, the media have been showing the in camera shot of Will Power's car flying through the air. You can tell this because his car number can be seen on the nose as it hits the car in front (Alex Lloyd's car), then spins before landing on another car, has its right front tire almost come into the cockpit, and having the flames shoot up. The car number is 12.

The replays start off with Dan Wheldon's car (number 77) and you can see the smoke from the initial accident happening just in front of him. The scene then switches to a regular camera shot of the accident taking place.

I was watching the race with my 5 year old when it took place. Dan was a favourite of ours. It was a horrible thing to watch and see. I just hope that safety can be improved following this terrible accident.

DanSC, I'm on one of the main IndyCar racing forums and you wouldn't believe the people who would disagree with you. I wouldn't, but it shocks me that after this people would still want to see these cars at this specific type of track.

This is the exact reason NASCAR developed the restrictor plates for Daytona and Talladega.

This is the exact reason NASCAR developed the restrictor plates for Daytona and Talladega.

And safer barriers and the COT.

Maybe, but it's no worse then how many times I had to see video of planes flying into the World Trade Center last month.

I think the worst was every commercial break on TSN featured sponsorship commercials by Weldon, including the one immediately following the announcement of his death.
I remember the mental health commercials featuring Gilles Villeneuve. 'When I am in good mental 'ealth all I need is a good car.' They ended the day he was killed.

I'm a fan of both NASCAR and IndyCar, and I don't often agree with anything that Jimmie Johnson says, but......I believe he makes a good point this time. IndyCars should not be on those high-banked ovals. With much less safeguards in place than NASCAR, it's amazing more of those wrecks don't happen through the course of the season. This was a completely avoidable tragedy.

I might complain about restrictor plates sometimes on the superspeedways, but if it prevents any of my favourite drivers (or any and all drivers) from being killed, then it's a small price to pay. I never really liked Dale Earnhardt back in the day, but when he was killed, I cried. I respected the man, and was saddened at his senseless loss, just like I was with Wheldon, Moore, K. Petty, etc.

-J.