The Five Worst IndyCar Collapses Since 2006
By Asher Fair
No. 1: JR Hildebrand, Indianapolis, 2011
You guessed it. Another broadcaster jinx.
“How fitting for the National Guard car to win.” -Scott Goodyear
Except JR Hildebrand in the National Guard car had not won yet. He had a huge lead with under half a lap to go in the biggest race of his life, but he had not won yet.
And he did not win either.
Seeking to become the first rookie winner of the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves won the first of his three Indy 500 races back in 2001, Hildebrand attempted to pass the lapped car of Charlie Kimball that was running out of fuel in turn four on the final lap of the race. He attempted to do so by passing Kimball on the outside.
Hildebrand got too far up the track and into the marbles before hitting the wall. While he did slide down the track to the finish line, the late Dan Wheldon passed him before the yellow flag came out.
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It’s hard to think of a scenario in any sport where 2nd place can possibly hurt more than it did for JR Hildebrand, and that is the reason that this is by far the biggest collapse in an IndyCar race since 2006.