Dan Wheldon Crash Video: Indy 500 Winner's Confidence Will Always Be Remembered

It was fitting that before Dan Wheldon took to the track on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the popular IndyCar driver spoke of being confident despite his frustrations.

That's because Wheldon, who died on Sunday in a 15-car pileup, was always known for his confidence, a confidence that led him to two Indy 500 victories.

Said Wheldon before his final race, via USA Today:

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"During Thursday's practice session and Friday's practice and qualifying sessions, we were quite a bit off the pace in the No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins Magnolia/William Rast Dallara/Honda. When I say quite a bit, I mean more than three mph off the pace. If we start the race that far off the pace, it's going to be difficult to keep up. But I have every confidence in Rob Edwards, our team manager, and his group of engineers. Rob has done a very good job of analyzing the problem. He's eliminating issues one by one."

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It was Wheldon's personality that first and foremost made him so popular in the racing circuit. His success only came as part of the package.

After it was announced the 33-year-old had died on Sunday, a flood of sorrow spread throughout the nation.

Said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development, via SI.com:

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"Dan had a passion for motorsports and a wonderful personality that made him a friend to everyone in the racing community. His talent and dedication were an inspiration to us all."

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Said Chip Ganassi: "We're all going to miss him. A little bit of everybody in IndyCar racing died today.''

Wheldon is arguably the most well-known driver to have died since Dale Earnhardt in 2001. He captivated with his warm personality, his family-man image and his positive outlook.

Let us remember what Dan Wheldon gave us before his passing: the courage to always move forward, no matter what the obstacles.