IndyCar's Dan Wheldon visits FC Dallas

One of IndyCar's top drivers, Dan Wheldon (currently ranked third), was a guest of FC Dallas today at training. Having flown in from Florida this morning, he came straight to Pizza Hut Park, first answering questions from the media then going out to the adidas Field.

Our kit man Marcus hooked Dan up with his own FC Dallas training gear, complete with his racing car's #10. Once Dan took the field, Steve Morrow introduced him to the team and then presented him a # 10 Wheldon FC Dallas home jersey. The guys then went out for extra 5 minutes of 11 v 11 drill, with Wheldon as one of the forwards.

It was all in fun, and Wheldon even took a penalty kick to cap off session. In typical soccer celebration, the guys then celebrated the goal as if a final was won.

While some guys stayed around for some finishing drills, we had set up a golf cart race between Dan and Marcelo Saragosa, who we knew to be a race fan.

Our staff had 'tested' the two golf carts - and the Pizza Hut Park one tested slower than the FCD branded cart. So, we put Marcelo in the FCD cart, and Wheldon on the PHP one (we didn't tell either of them).
The two got side by side on the blue lot....they looked at each other to say 'Go', and Wheldon got off his line real quick. Marcelo could only laugh while trying to catch Wheldon in the short race around the parking lot...everyone had a good time!

Fans can see Dan racing in town on June 7 at the Texas Motor Speedway when he races in the Bombardier Learjet 500.