Justin Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Justin Wilson |
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Wilson in 2007
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| Nationality | British |
| Born | Justin Boyd Wilson 31 July 1978 Sheffield, England |
| Died | 24 August 2015 (aged 37) Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Related to | Stefan Wilson (brother) |
| IZOD IndyCar Series career | |
| Debut season | 2008 |
| Former teams | Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (2008) Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (2010–2011) Dale Coyne Racing (2009, 2012–2014) Andretti Autosport (2015) |
| Starts | 120 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Best finish | 6th in 2013 |
| Champ Car World Series | |
| Years active | 2004–2007 |
| Teams | Conquest Racing (2004) RuSport (2005–2006) RSPORTS (2007) |
| Starts | 54 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Podiums | 15 |
| Poles | 6 |
| Best finish | 2nd in 2006, 2007 |
| Awards | |
| 2006, 2007 | Greg Moore Legacy Award |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Active years | 2003 |
| Teams | Minardi, Jaguar |
| Entries | 16 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 1 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 2003 Australian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2003 Japanese Grand Prix |
Justin Boyd Wilson (born July 31, 1978 – died August 24, 2015) was a British professional open-wheel race car driver. Open-wheel cars have their wheels outside the main body of the car. He raced in many top series around the world.
Just before he passed away, Justin was racing part-time in the IndyCar Series. He drove the No. 25 Honda car for the Andretti Autosport team. Before that, he competed in the Champ Car series from 2004 to 2007, where he won four races.
Justin also raced in Formula One during the 2003 season. He drove for both the Minardi and Jaguar teams. He was also the champion of the 2001 International Formula 3000 series. He even won the famous 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. Justin holds a unique record: he was the tallest person ever to race in Formula One.
Sadly, on August 23, 2015, Justin had a serious accident at the Pocono Raceway. He suffered a brain injury and passed away the next day.
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Justin Wilson's Racing Journey
Justin Wilson had a long and successful career in motorsports. He started in junior categories and quickly moved up to the highest levels of racing. His talent allowed him to compete against the best drivers in the world.
Becoming a Champion
In 2001, Justin Wilson became the champion of the International Formula 3000 series. This was a very important step in his career. Winning this championship showed everyone that he was a top driver ready for bigger challenges.
Racing in Formula One
In 2003, Justin got his chance to race in Formula One, which is the highest class of single-seater auto racing. He started with the Minardi team. Later that year, he moved to the Jaguar team. He competed in 16 races during his Formula One season. Even though he didn't win, he earned one championship point.
Justin was known for being very tall for a Formula One driver. He was 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) tall. This made it a bit challenging to fit into the small cockpits of F1 cars.
Success in Champ Car
After Formula One, Justin moved to the Champ Car World Series in North America. He raced there from 2004 to 2007. This is where he really shined, winning four races. He also earned 15 podium finishes, meaning he finished in the top three many times.
Justin was a very consistent driver in Champ Car. He finished second in the championship standings in both 2006 and 2007. His strong performances earned him the Greg Moore Legacy Award twice, in 2006 and 2007. This award honors drivers who show great talent and sportsmanship.
Competing in IndyCar
In 2008, Justin Wilson joined the IndyCar Series. He raced in this series until his passing in 2015. During his time in IndyCar, he won three races. He drove for several teams, including Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, and Andretti Autosport.
His best overall finish in the IndyCar Series was sixth place in 2013. He was always a respected competitor.
Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona
Beyond open-wheel racing, Justin also showed his skill in endurance sports car racing. In 2012, he won the famous 24 Hours of Daytona race. This is a very tough race where teams compete for 24 hours straight. Winning it showed his versatility as a driver.
Justin Wilson's Legacy
Justin Wilson was known for his kind personality and his dedication to racing. He was a popular figure among fans and fellow drivers. His brother, Stefan Wilson, is also a race car driver.
Justin's passing was a sad moment for the racing world. He is remembered not only for his achievements on the track but also for being a great person.
