Dan Wheldon RIP 1978-2011

Today was supposed to be a celebration for the end of the IndyCar Season in Las Vegas today. With Danica's final race before her move to NASCAR, Will Power and Dario Franchitti battling for the Championship, and Dan Wheldon attempting to win a $5 million payday for him and an IndyCar fan if he could win from the back of the field.

But that all changed 13 laps in when a major crash involving 15 cars stopped the race, but it got worse as Wheldon was severely hurt in the crash that launched his car into the catch fence. He was airlifted to UNLV's University Medical Center, who has one of the best trauma centers in the West, but despite all the efforts of the doctors there, Dan did not survive his injuries.

Randy Bernard, the head of the IndyCar Series, had to announce both Dan's passing and the cancellation of the race, then announced a five-lap tribute by the remaining drivers in his memory. The racetrack piped a version of Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes as the 19 remaining cars took to the track for the tribute. One of the most heart-wrenching images was of Franchitti, who ended up winning the championship after Power's car was caught up in the crash, crying uncontrollably in the cockpit of his Target Chip Ganassi Racing vehicle, as he prepared for the tribute laps.

I've covered racing for a decade, going back to my time doing the weekly races at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, races at the Auto Club Speedway and as far as Phoenix and Sonoma. I had to report on the death of driver John Baker in 2002 at Irwindale, when he died during a then-NASCAR Featrherlite Southwest series race. It was one of the hardest things to do when someone dies, the sadness and memory of the incident never leaves you, no matter how many years pass.

My colleagues who were there when Paul Dana died still recall every detail. My late mentor, Mike Hollander, to the day he died, could remember every detail he saw when Dale Earhardt died at Daytona 10 years ago. It haunts you.

I am posting the following press conference from April at the Long Beach Grand Prix when Dan and Bryan Herta, the owner of Bryan Herta Racing, announced that Dan, who wasn't participating in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, would be driving with the famous Agajanian paint scheme on his car at Indy, which he would win just a month later.

Rest in Peace, My friend, Pit lane is open, bring it in...

BROCK SAMSON SPEAKS!!

So Today was the big Day, as the Long Beach Grand Prix finally got off. We'll get to that later, but first, earlier in the day, one of the best actors out there on TV joined the media to talk a little about his work.

Patrick Warburton is currently starring as Jeff Bingham on the CBS hit show, "Rules of Engagement," and is the voice of two classic cartoon Characters, Joe Swanson on "Family Guy" and Brock Samson on the Adult Swim hot show, "The Venture Brothers." He is probably best known for his portrayal of David Puddy on "Seinfeld" and the starring role in the short-lived cult classic show, "The Tick."

You will excuse a couple of extraneous sounds, my blackberry went off twice while I was filming it. Enjoy

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach: Race Day 1

Good morning from the Dan Gurney Media Center at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. We've got an exciting day of racing ahead of us, as always, you can follow along here as well as catch the stories over at the Mid-Valley Sports Website. on Today's menu is qualifying for both the IZOD IndyCar and Firestone Indy Lights series, while the American Le Mans and the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race will highlight the races today.

We'll be back in a bit with a report from a press conference featuring Bryan Herta, who is announcing a new sponsorship for his race tema with 2005 Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon.

Stay Tuned!!