San Francisco - IndyCar stars drove their race cars across the Golden Gate Bridge on Thursday in memory of Justin Wilson, who died of a severe head injury suffered in a race at the weekend.
The popular British driver's death has cast a shadow over this weekend's season finale at Sonoma Raceway and ignited discussion of ways to make the IndyCar series safer.
“Very emotional cross of the bridge in Justin's car,” tweeted Marco Andretti, who led the motorcade in team-mate Wilson's #25 Andretti Autosport car.
Two safety vehicles - the same that were on site to render aid last Sunday when Wilson was struck by debris from another racer's car - flew Justin Wilson flags from the back of their trucks.
Wilson, 37, died on Monday in a Pennsylvania hospital. He had been in a coma since he was hit in the helmet by a large piece of debris in the final laps at Pocono Raceway and crashed into a wall.
“We'll definitely race with heavy hearts this weekend,” New Zealand's Scott Dixon, last year's winner at Sonoma, said Wednesday at an appearance at the California state capitol in Sacramento.
BATTLE GOES ON
“But there's still a championship battle to be won. Knowing Justin, he'd definitely want us to go out there and compete.”
The capitol stop was part of what was meant to be a festive week, capped by a race in which six drivers still have a chance to capture the IndyCar crown.
Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya takes a 34-point lead over Graham Rahal atop the standings into the race, in which double points will be on offer.
Reigning series champion Will Power also has a title shot and he's thrilled to take it on a Sonoma track where he has won three times.
“It's definitely my favorite track on the whole circuit,” Power said. “With double points for this race, anything can happen.”
But all celebrations will be tempered by thoughts of Wilson.
IndyCar officials unveiled a Wilson memorial T-shirt that will be on sale with proceeds going to the Wilson Children's Fund.
Dixon said returning to the track would be a solace for Wilson's fellow drivers.
“When you're in the car, you switch off,” he said. “You're focusing on just how to get through the next corner quicker, running strategy through your head.
“You're fully focused on racing.”
AFP