Heartbreak

Only a few hundred race cars drivers have known what it's like to take the green flag in the Indianapolis 500. An even fewer have actually won. JR Hildebrand just about joined that exclusive club Sunday afternoon, but it was not meant to be.

            

Hildebrand had the lead on the last lap, but coming out of Turn 4, he passed a slower car on the outside and hit the wall. Dan Wheldon then passed Hildebrand’s damaged car and went on to win.

           
            I know the excitement myself and my brother had those last few laps, and I know the disappointment we both felt. I can’t imagine how the rookie, JR Hildebrand felt.

            
            On the NASCAR side, Dale Earnhardt Jr. experienced a very similar situation in the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He had captured the lead due to cars running out of fuel. On the last lap, in the last turn, his car ran out of fuel. Right before crossing the finish line, Kevin Harvick passed him and won.

            Ironically, both drivers were sponsored by the National Guard, and both lost on their last turn. How fitting would it have been for American and auto racing had these drivers gone on to win? The first American to win the 500 in several years, and Dale Jr. finally getting his first win since 2008.

-There will be more formal posts coming.