IndyCar returns safer after Wheldon tragedy

IndyCar's 2012 season opens on Sunday with the debut of a safer chassis in the first race since last October's tragic death of English driver Dan Wheldon, last year's Indianapolis 500 winner, in a crash. A field of 26 drivers is set for the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with Scotsman Dario Franchitti launching his bid to match France's Sebastian Bourdais by winning a fourth season title in a row. That would give Franchitti, the husband of actress Ashley Judd, a fifth overall crown, second in IndyCar history, two shy of A.J. Foyt's all-time mark. "There are as many as 15 cars capable of winning races and eight or 10 legitimate championship contenders," Franchitti said. "We've got our work cut out for us, but I can't wait for the season to begin. "Five would be nice, I would say." Drivers and teams have spent months testing the new IndyCar chassis, which bears the initials DW in honor of Wheldon, who tested the design for months after winning at Indy before his fatal crash at age 33 in a race at Las Vegas. In a fiery 15-car crash, Wheldon's car was catapulted into the air and into a safety fence, slamming into a pole to cause Wheldon severe head injuries. "A few of us went to dinner and were telling stories about Dan, and there are a lot of them," two-time Indy 500 winner Franchitti said. "But then you realize he's not here and that's the bad part." IndyCar's return comes on the Florida streets where Wheldon won the debut St. Pete race in 2005. A street used for the race was renamed Dan Wheldon Way earlier this month in tribute, a plaque in his honor dubbing him "Lionheart". "Sebastian and Oliver will be proud to know the impact their father had in this community and the world of motorsports," Susie Wheldon said of her sons. "This is something that we can cherish for years to come." Franchitti has seen racing rivals unite to make certain the new cars are as safe as possible. "Sure we have our moments on the track and fallouts on occasion, but what I have noticed in the paddock there has been a respect between the drivers, and certainly since Dan's accident certainly more, so we're all on the same page that we have to work together to make things happen," Franchitti said. "The good stuff and the bad stuff, nobody can understand that like another driver can. No matter what happens on the track, how much a rivalry is on the track, we're going to work together." Franchitti, Brazil's Tony Kanaan and England's Justin Wilson were among drivers who met with series officials after Wheldon's death to review safety changes planned for the new 2012 car design. "There were a lot of thoughts and information after Las Vegas and the following months we've been collecting that information," Wilson said. "We passed it on to IndyCar about what's practical or not. It has been a big job for everybody." After Wheldon's death, a small vertical stabilizer was added to the chassis underwing safety changes to try and prevent cars from becoming airborne. "It was, indeed, through some of the teams' input in the very early testing that led to that part being added," said IndyCar technology vice present Will Phillips. "All of the other features were there prior to Vegas." New engine packages from Chevrolet and Lotus to rival incumbent Honda will add to the intrigue, as will a few new racers, including series newcomers Katherine Legge of England and Simon Pagenaud of France. Brazil's Rubens Barrichello, a 39-year Formula One driver, makes his IndyCar debut this week. Australian Will Power settled for a season runner-up finish in 2011 despite a record-tying six victories and a series-record eight pole position starts. "I don't sit back and say it's bad luck because I don't think it's really ever about luck," Power said. "If you're doing your job properly you tend to have good luck."