Dan Wheldon

I'm not sure what I am supposed to write, and that almost never happens ...

The well deserved praised and tributes to Dan Wheldon's character and career are already flowing like a river, most from people who knew Dan much better than I and all much more eloquently expressed than I could muster right now. It's all well done and well deserved -- and I'll leave it to those more capable than me.

I only met Dan Wheldon a handful of times. A four-minute interview after qualifying here and there. The last time I saw him was at Iowa Speedway on Sept. 20 where he was testing the 2012 car. He greeted everyone warmly. He knew who I was and that I was from Des Moines. He treated me like I was from the New York Times, not some nothing blog. He made time for everyone. Answered the same questions he's heard many times before like it was the first time he'd been asked. He promoted the league and the car. Was enthusiastic and excited about racing at Las Vegas.

I've been thinking about that Sept. 20 interview a lot, naturally, and I finally settled on this praise: Dan Wheldon was a nice guy. And while that sounds pretty minimal -- nice guy -- it's really astonishingly rare these days. "Nice guy" in the fullest sense of the word is someone who's respectful, polite, positive, helpful, concerned, gracious. And as I've thought about it these last 18 hours, that's the way I'd most like to be remembered as well.

Because in the final analysis -- and we've reached that, regrettably -- your athletic and artistic and business achievements are not what you'll be remembered for by those who matter to you most. They just aren't. So while Dan Wheldon was a gifted race car driver and Indy 500 champion, when the a member of the clergy asks Dan's friends and family in his or her pre-funeral interview what they remember most about Dan, I rather doubt his incredible on-the-track achievements are the first thing they mention.

And isn't that the way we all want to go out? If my survivors get the same question, I pray they don't answer with something like "he was a good writer." Because if that's all I've done, impressed them with my writing, I've failed them and myself. I'd much rather have them say "Bill was a nice guy" with all its rich meaning.

Yes, Dan Wheldon's racing resume is impressive and important and worth remembering and honoring. I don't seek to diminish that in any way. But I don't think that is who Dan Wheldon was, really. And yes, we all have off days and can act like idiots and have bits of ugliness in our lives. That's being human. Nice guys stop well short of perfect. But it's the totality of a life, with all the kindness and selfishness heaped on a scale together and measured, that matters the most.

It's not what you DO that matters in life, it's who you ARE. The quality of your relationships. The way you treat others. As far as I can tell from personal experience and the accounts rolling in, that was Dan Wheldon's real championship. And it's a positive reminder we can all take out of Dan's much-too-early departing.

Godspeed to a nice guy. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:3-5

Comments

[Leigh O'Gorman]

I could never have put it better Bill, never.

[Lisa]

Thank you Bill! Tears continue to roll with every tribute. He was a nice guy. I was fortunate enough to work with him at this year's 500. There wasn't a nicer guy around. Treated everyone like they were his top priority. He was a gem. IndyCar lost a great one. He will be missed.

[Alan Airboy58]

that was very well said Bill, we are all the better for having had Dan on the planet

[DZ]

Thank you Bill. Although we've met only once, I can tell you're a nice guy too.

[Mike Knapp]

Well done, Bill. Thanks for that.

[WxTurtle]

Well said, Bill.

[Paul Henry]

Bill,
I cannot begin to match the simplicity of style and warmth I find in your words. Nothing can compare to the way one is regarded in life and Dan certainly lived beyond his expertise behind the wheel. You captured it well for all of us.

[Oilpressure]

Excellent. Thanks, Bill.

[Scott]

Nicely said, Bill. Dan will certainly be missed.

[ShariS]

Nicely done, Bill. You did find the right words.

[C Meier]

Simple and true. Well said.

[S. Trickey]

Very well said Bill. Dan will be sorely missed and I hope God looks after Susie and their two sons in this difficult time, as well as the rest of Dan's family. RIP Dan

[BVielhaber]

Its comforting to read something so genuine and sincere when something horrible like this has happened. Thank you for taking the time in your moment of sorrow to write such a lovely tribute to a person who also happened to be an athlete.

[DougC]

Beautiful..

[FTHurley]

Thanks Bill.

And thanks Dan.

That's all. Peace.

[Ron Ford]

You really nailed it here Bill. I'm not surprised. When I see photos of his infectious grin I can't help but laugh through the tears. He sure was special.

[AbuelosDeTrece]

Thanks, Bill. I know this had to be hard to write. And thank you Dan Wheldon for all the great memories... You will live forever in our hearts and minds.

[Will Schilling (SactoIndyFan)]

Perfect words Bill. When my dad passed, I was amazed how many people came up to me and said the same thing. That's what I think we all strive for. RIP to a wonderful man in every sense of the word, Dan Wheldon.

[Bill Davis]

I feel a sense that all is right in the world after reading your magical words Bill

[LA Baker]

class act. fiercely competitive driver. mischevious imp. and nice guy. He was just coming into his own, and we'll never know just how much he could have truly accomplished.

p.s. knew you would have the words when they failed all the rest of us. Thx PD.

[redcar]

amen, bill.

[Dale Nixon]

Thanks Bill - great job.

[S0CSeven]

Would that I could go out admired by so many for so much.

God speed Dan.

[Ekaterin Nile]

I'll always remember seeing Dan Wheldon post-Indy 500 in 2005. My husband and I were wandering around the infield when all of a sudden we saw Dan standing on a balcony/catwalk grinning and waving like a madman at the fans in the infield (must have been after the interviews were finished). We gave him a resounding cheer. I don't usually think about the afterlife, but I hope wherever Dan is, he's flashing his radiant smile and looking forward to another drink of milk in an afterlife Indy 500 Victory Lane.

[Brian McKay]

a fitting eulogy

[jdh417]

Thanks, Bill. Just the right words.

Thanks, Dan. We'll miss you.

[The Speedgeek]

Thank you, Bill.

[Royhobbson]

Jesus that was phenomenal.

[Josh]

Well done as always Bill.

[Gary]

Thank you Bill. Very nice piece with an awesome perspective. Thought provoking and an honest piece.

[ramblinman]

After finishing 2nd, for the 2nd year in a row, at the 2010 Indy 500, when the other drivers were long done for the day, Dan Wheldon was with the fans in Gasoline Alley. Signing autographs, interacting, having his photo taken by the fans, with the fans, and even using their cameras to take photos of them! Nothing against the other drivers by any measure, but I'll never forget Dan mugging with us fans as if there was nothing more important in his life. A wonderful person.

Thank you Bill for being here for us now. You make all the difference.

[pressdog]

Thank you for all the kind comments. Very touching. Just my way of saying goodbye to a nice guy. It helped me to write it, so thanks for sharing it with me. I'm glad if brought some comfort/meaning to you.

[Mike R]

That was pretty near perfect, Bill. "Pretty near" 'cause the world's only seen perfect once. God bless you, sir.

[Tom Clegg]

Well spoke Bill.

Truly a nice guy.

It takes one to know one.

[Chris Lukens]

RIP, Dan.
"Now cracks a noble heart.
Good night, sweet prince,
and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest".

[Squall]

You make me want to cry again, pressdog...'for all the best and worst reasons, both'. I will try to answer your tribute with one of my own hand, right here; hopefully as short as I can make it.

"Of many of many great racing drivers, it has been said, they were 'what racing is all about'. Of THIS great racing driver, it can be said, 'he was what racing SHOULD be all about'."