The first part of an eBay auction to raise money for the family of the late IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon came to an end late last week with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised from the sale of donated memorabilia from sports stars, teams and organizations.
Wheldon died in the final race of the IndyCar season when his car went airborne and slammed into a face during a massive crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Fellow driver Graham Rahal helped kick-start the auction and others chipped in with donated items, many worn in competition and/or autographed. Among the items sold were several race-worn helmets including one from NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson that generated 67 bids and sold for $20,000 and Dario Franchitti’s Vegas worn helmet that sold for $16,211.
The Wheldon benefit auction is continuing with dozens of items on the block, all being sold to benefit Wheldon’s wife and two children. On Saturday, Danica Patrick wore a special Wheldon tribute helmet that will be donated to the auction.
Other items now on the block include a Fernando Alonzo race worn Formula One firesuit with a current bid of $30,100, an autographed Larry Bird jersey, dozens of race-worn and race-used items and a helmet signed by Steve Young and Jerry Rice.
Click here to see the current auction.
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