J.R. Hildebrand Crash: Indy 500 Stunning Finish (VIDEO)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — JR Hildebrand was one turn away from winning the Indianapolis 500 on his very first try. Then, within sight of the checkered flag, the 23-year-old Californian made the ultimate rookie mistake.

Hildebrand slammed into the wall on the final turn, and Dan Wheldon drove on past to claim an improbable Indy 500 win Sunday in his first race of the year.

Wheldon, the 2005 winner but without a full-time ride this season, appeared headed for his third straight runner-up finish as Hildebrand took the white flag with a comfortable lead and needing only to make it through the last of 200 laps around the 2 1/2-mile speedway.

WATCH:

The first three turns went smoothly. Then, Hildebrand came up on another rookie, Charlie Kimball, in the fourth turn. Instead of backing off, Hildebrand slid to the outside, got in the rough patch of the track and lost control. He slammed the wall, allowing Wheldon to drive into Victory Lane.

"I caught him in the wrong piece of track," Hildebrand said. "I got up in the marbles and that was it."

Hildebrand's crumpled machine slid across the finish line in second place while hugging the wall. While Wheldon celebrated, IndyCar officials reviewed the video to see if Wheldon passed the wrecked machine before the caution lights went on. It appeared he did, giving the Brit another Indy 500 title with a part-time team.

"I just felt a lot of relief. It's an incredible feeling," Wheldon said. "I never gave up."

Comments

[paddles]

04:14 PM on 05/31/2011

Why is this on the sports page? Not a sport.

[williamcheek]

12:55 AM on 06/01/2011

"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games." - Ernest Hemingway (maybe).

[Nivlag]

01:10 AM on 05/31/2011

JR has to have some Cleveland blood in him somewhere to choke that bad, that close to the finish.

[OutAtFirst]

06:15 PM on 05/30/2011

Kind of like Bill Buckner in the 86 Series. Everyone said it's OK, but it ain't OK.

[CANTHATBE]

04:34 PM on 05/30/2011

It kind of takes away from Dan Weldon's victory. Now he has to win again to be considered legitimate champion.

[Daniel Rudolf]

01:22 AM on 05/31/2011

This is not Dan Wheldon's first Indy 500 victory

[CANTHATBE]

07:45 AM on 05/31/2011

Thanks I don't keep up with it as much. I have found myself watching formula 1 more.

[Rapid1]

04:33 PM on 05/30/2011

Tony George single-handily ruined open wheel racing in the US. Spec racing is boring, and the Indy 500 proves it. Anyone with any talent should stay away from that place.

[dteg]

07:53 AM on 05/31/2011

Greed. Many rich kids are afflicted with it and far more greedy than their parents.

[Rapid1]

11:16 AM on 05/31/2011

He wasn't born into it. He married a Hulman.

[Brian in FL]

10:42 AM on 05/31/2011

A race where a rookie is 1/4 mile or less from winning the Indy 500, but crashes, is not boring...go watch Nascar and drink your Budweiser...

[Rapid1]

11:14 AM on 05/31/2011

I have watched and participated in auto racing for more than 30 years. A crash doesn't excite me, I am sorry if the same can't be said of you. You obviously don't know what competitive car engineering and driving really looks like. That is sad.

[TOPCAT711]

12:22 PM on 05/30/2011

Hildebrand crashes on last lap.....Earnhardt runs out of gas.

It's uncanny, but it was a bad day for the 'National Guard' sponsored cars.

Someone tell me again, why the government pays big bucks to sponsor racecars ?

[SamEasy]

01:16 PM on 05/30/2011

Because the government always has their priorities straight!

[cluedweasel]

01:27 PM on 05/30/2011

It's probably a cost effective recruiting tool compared to TV advertising.

[jamenta]

11:01 AM on 05/30/2011

bummer!

[CANTHATBE]

04:33 PM on 05/30/2011

I hate to see a win like that. I would rather see people fighting it out doing their best.

[JDConstitution]

10:59 AM on 05/30/2011

This guy is a champion! I was there, ten rows back . . . and then he hit the marbles. I can't wait to see what he does next year . . . but he is a definate winner. Amazing, however, that there were only 12 Americans in a field of 40 in the race. I can promise you that "Hildebrand" will be someone to watch over the next year!

[Boobuzuela]

12:20 PM on 05/30/2011

In terms of publicity and "branding" Hildebrand may do better with 2nd place, and this spectacular crash, than if he'd finished first. Everyone knows he is CAPABLE of winning a race now, and he won't be quickly forgotten like last year's winner...whoever that was!

Just imagine the beer ads this finish can inspire.

[CAhye]

10:41 AM on 05/30/2011

poor kid, it felt like i got punched in the stomach! i can only imagine how he feels!

[ExcellentObservation]

10:35 AM on 05/30/2011

Clearly not enough practice making left turns.

[hoagie76]

01:04 PM on 05/30/2011

F

[MissAmericanPieInTheSky]

01:10 PM on 05/30/2011

My tea almost came out my nose from laughing.

[vibroluxor]

10:22 AM on 05/30/2011

The proper phrase is CHOKE.

[ExcellentObservation]

10:30 AM on 05/30/2011

Something you recognize, I take it?

[vibroluxor]

10:58 AM on 05/30/2011

your mini bio decribes you well.

[truegroundspeed]

09:38 AM on 05/30/2011

Memorial Day and the Indy 500. Doesn't get much better than that. Maybe next year more troops can watch it from home.

[couer]

10:14 AM on 05/30/2011

It was a perfect day for the race and for all of Indy to shine.

[buzzy063]

09:21 AM on 05/30/2011

I saw the finish, unbelievable, a chance he may never have again. But he has shown remarkable poise through all of the interviews.

[The Dude67]

09:16 AM on 05/30/2011

Lighting McQueen vs. Chick Hicks.

[jkkFL]

11:37 AM on 05/30/2011

Really? Take a long look at the NASCAR race- Earnhardt leads trying to avoid his umpteenth loss, and runs out of gas a half lap short!
That's your "Lighting McQueen vs. Chick Hicks!"

[Dredd]

08:55 AM on 05/30/2011

The said he got into "the marbles" and that was it ... must be talking about loose round rocks near the wall ...

[pirx]

09:12 AM on 05/30/2011

"Marbles" are tiny bits of rubber that have been worn off the tires. They accumulate just beyond the racing groove. When you get into the marbles, the tires can't maintain contact with the track surface and the car slides.

[iuriggs6]

09:14 AM on 05/30/2011

It's a combination of dirt build up, rubber fragments from tires etc....