Racing champion Wheldon memorial service set Sunday

A public memorial service for two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon, killed in a fiery 15-car crash last Sunday, will be staged on Sunday afternoon in downtown Indianapolis. IndyCar announced Tuesday night that a celebration of Wheldon's life will be conducted at Conseco Fieldhouse, the home arena of the NBA's Indiana Pacers. The 18,000-seat venue is located only a few miles from the famed 2.5-mile (4km) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval where Wheldon won his second Indy 500 title last May, leading his only lap when he took the checkered flag. Wheldon died last Sunday because of severe head injuries suffered when his car went airborne in a crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and slammed into a protective fence and then struck a protective wall before bursting into flames. The 33-year-old Englishman was survived by his wife, Susie, and two young sons. A trust fund has been established for Wheldon's family with contributions to be accepted starting Wednesday.