Robert Laberge
After witnessing a final-lap crash by 23-year-old rookie J.R. Hildebrand, Britain's Dan Wheldon took advantage and drove away with the 95th edition of the Indianapolis 500. The premier event of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in front of 200,000 fans. "At that point I knew it was mine," Wheldon said, adding, "I was going to drive that thing like I stole it until I saw the checkered flag." The 32-year-old Wheldon is no stranger to the Indy 500, having won the race in 2005, and finished second in 2009 and 2010. For much of the race, it looked like things would boil down to Scott Dixon, who won Indy in 2008 and led a for race-high 73 laps, and Mr. Ashley Judd, Dario Franchitti, last year’s winner who led for 51. But ultimately it was Wheldon who sped away with the title, followed by Hildebrand in second; Graham Rahal in third; Tony Kanaan in fourth; and Dixon in fifth. Popular racer Danica Patrick, meanwhile, finished in 10th place.