Hildebrand’s Brickyard blunder to live on in infamy

Dan Wheldon will get his face on the Borg-Warner trophy for winning the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday but the centennial race will be remembered forever for J.R. Hildebrand and his last lap Brickyard blunder.

Hildebrand had appeared headed for certain victory when he slid hard into the concrete wall with the checkered flag in sight, allowing Wheldon to speed past him to claim an unlikely win as the Indy 500 lived up to its billing as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

While Wheldon celebrated in Victory Lane, the composed and philosophical 23-year-old American rookie put on a brave front as he faced the media searching for an explanation for a crash that is certain to find a place among the all-time sporting bloopers.

“We were in position that we should have won the race,” admitted Hildebrand, who worked his way up into IndyCar racing on the Indy Lights development circuit.

“For me it’s not so much that I’m pissed off or disappointed that my face isn’t going to be on the Borg-Warner ... for me my disappointment is with the team.

“It’s not like a personal thing right now. Maybe down the road it will turn into a personal thing and I will be pissed off at myself.”

Hildebrand appeared to have victory in his grasp until he entered the final turn and moved high to pass Charlie Kimball before losing control as the rubber marbles and debris sent him into the wall and sporting infamy.

Despite the rookie mistake, Hildebrand skidded across the finish line in second place and is likely to be named the Indy 500’s rookie of the year on Monday.

HILDEBRAND’S HINDSIGHT

“Is it a move I would do again? No,” said Hildebrand. “I think the only reason I did it was because it had worked earlier.

“But in hindsight, I think with the tires being used as they were at that stage.... It’s a learning experience for me, that the marble buildup can be severe.

Even after slamming the wall with his car demolished, Hildebrand said he was still trying to coax the wreck across the finish line ahead of the charging Wheldon.

“I was flat on the gas. What are you going to do at that point?” added Hildebrand. “After I hit the wall, I was not slowing down to the start/finish line.

“Obviously it got to the point where I couldn’t steer anymore.”

There was plenty of sympathy for the hard-luck American, and even Wheldon spared a thought for Hildebrand.

However, the Briton was unapologetic for being gifted a second Indy 500 victory having experienced the other side of fortune before.

“It’s bad if you’re on the receiving end,” said Wheldon.

“It’s unfortunate but Indianapolis can bite you.

“That is why this is the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. You never know what is going to happen.”