Dan Wheldon Crash Video: IndyCar Shouldn't Need Tragedy to Earn Spotlight

There are a lot of sports on this earth of ours, particularly here in America. Whether it's football, baseball, basketball, hockey or stock car racing, we love our sports.

IndyCar racing is a little different. It is a sport that is based in America, and it is a sport that should satisfy the need for speed that is common among Americans, but it is often overlooked. To call the sport underappreciated would definitely be valid, and it does seem like it oftentimes takes something drastic in order for IndyCar racing to earn the spotlight.

Something drastic happened on Sunday. There was a horrific 15-car wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and one of the drivers caught in the middle of it was none other than two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon. He had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention, but his injuries were too great.

Wheldon passed away. He was 33.

News of Wheldon's death spread fast, but there was only so much that could be said in the moments immediately following his passing. In fact, the five-lap tribute that was carried out in Las Vegas said it all. It was an overwhelmingly powerful sight to behold, and it was virtually impossible to watch it without shedding a few tears.

Wheldon's accomplishments as a driver—two Indy 500 victories, a record six IRL victories back in 2005—speak for themselves. But since his passing, we've gotten to know a lot about Wheldon the person. By all accounts, he was a truly great guy. He was funny, charming and a friend to all.

Naturally, Wheldon was also a loving man. He and his wife, Susie, had two young sons, the younger of whom was born in March of this year. Thoughts and prayers must go out to them, and to the rest of Wheldon's family.

So when people say that Wheldon's death is a "tragedy," they are overstating nothing. In fact, calling his death a tragedy almost doesn't cut it.

This might be because tragedy is a word that is so rarely used in the sports world. Many bad things can happen, but it is a well-accepted notion that sports are not a matter of life and death.

IndyCar racing is one of the few exceptions. It is an extremely dangerous sport, and drivers take their lives in their hands every time they sit down and grip the wheel. It is a testament to their skill that fatalities are actually quite rare.

Just as the sport is underappreciated, this is an aspect of the sport that is very much underappreciated. A football player who risks injury is one thing. A racer who risks death is another thing entirely. When you think about it, it's a shame that the former takes center stage far more often than the latter.

This is not a guilt trip that is meant to scold those who have never delighted in watching an IndyCar race. People like what they like, and it just so happens that not everyone likes open-wheel auto racing. It is certainly not a crime to prefer other sports.

Nevertheless, IndyCar racing is a sport that deserves better. There's no denying that it's a sport that has our respect. What it deserves is our attention, and that's something that I think all of us could stand to be more generous with.