Investigation has unsuccessful to determine a single reason for Dan Wheldon fatal injury

Dan Wheldon Indianapolis 500 champion fatal injury suffered was the result of a combination of numerous factors that came together in a freak perfect storm, Izod IndyCar Series officials reported Thursday

CEO Randy Bernard and Brian Barnhart Director of Operations presented result of an investigation into the October 16 crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that killed the two-time and reigning 500 champion and led to a premature conclusion of the 2011 IndyCar Series schedule.

Barnhart said numerous factors that are not uncommon to racing came to stand in what Bernard termed a “perfect storm” that makes it impossible to locate any one factor to censure for the death of the 33 year old Englishman.

The unsurvivable injury happen when Wheldon’s helmeted head hit a post supporting the debris catch fence on the outer perimeter of turns 1-2 of the 1.5-mile LVMS oval.

Wheldon’s car was one of four that was flying as 15 cars jumbled in a massive crash early in the race.

The event was suspended for clean-up, and after the severity of the consequences of the crash was confirmed, it was canceled. Drivers whose cars were not disabled lined up in a three-abreast arrangement for a series of parade laps in a salute to Wheldon, who was well-liked among fans and opponent alike.

The inquiry did remark on the wide-open nature of the recently refurbish track, which was rebuilt with progressive banking in the turns, creating an almost limitless number of opportunity for drivers.

Barnhart, formerly director of competition for the series, noted that the variety of racing lines available made it more difficult for competitors to have a feel for where competitors’ cars might be at any time on the track and may have contributed to the circumstances of the massive pile-up.