Daniel Clive Wheldon

22/6/1978

Record updated 21-Jun-06

Won the Indy 500 in 2005. The first win for an Englishman since Graham Hill's triumph there in 1966.

Daniel Clive Wheldon is a successful British auto racing driver. Wheldon was born in Emberton, England, and after leaving the European racing scene due to a lack of opportunities, he moved to the United States in 1999. He then spent several years in lower open-wheeled circuits like the U.S. Ford Formula 2000 series, the Toyota Atlantic series and the Indy Lights series. Wheldon is playfully nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his sometimes choleric temperment. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In 2002, Wheldon moved up to the Indy Racing League (IRL) for two events, with Panther Racing as teammate to Sam Hornish, Jr.. The following year Wheldon joined Andretti Green Racing, taking the spot of Michael Andretti following his retirement, and collected IRL Rookie of the Year honors. In 2004, he won his first IRL race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, ultimately finishing as runner-up to teammate Tony Kanaan in the championship. In 2005, he won both the Indianapolis 500 and the IRL series championship. His six victories in 2005 also broke the record for most victories in one IRL season. His win at Indy was the first for an Englishman since Graham Hill's triumph in 1966. But in November of 2005, it was announced that he would be driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IRL in 2006. Shortly after his first IRL test with Ganassi, he won the 24 Hours of Daytona with Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and Casey Mears.