A fateful Sunday nearly 15 years ago helped shape one of this weekend's biggest racing moments in Portland. 

In October 2011 IndyCar lost one of its fan favorites to a horrific accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Dan Wheldon. 

Wheldon was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner — 2005 and 2011 — and a series champion in 2005. The current IndyCar chassis — which Wheldon tested through 2011 — was renamed to the DW12 in his honor following his passing. 

Wheldon left behind his wife Susie and two sons: Sebastian and Oliver. 

Oliver Wheldon was just months old when his father passed; Sebastian was two years old. 

Despite the past, both Wheldon brothers have found the same passion for racing that their father had, and success has followed.  

Sebastian moved from karting to formula cars in 2023, while Oliver made his formula car debut in the USF 2000 series this spring. USF 2000 is the first step in IndyCar's development ladder called the Road to Indy. USF Pro 2000 and Indy NXT create the ladder with champions in each series earning scholarships to help fund a seat and graduate to the next rung of the ladder. 

Andretti Autosport — the team Dan Wheldon drove for from 2003-05 — has sponsored and supported both boys since 2021.  

That brings us to last weekend at Portland International Raceway. Oliver delivered a great qualifying effort to earn the pole for both races and showed patience late Friday to win the first race of his career. 

He followed that with a dominant performance on Saturday in the second race to sweep the weekend. 

"Once you get that first win, you kind of open the flood gates," USF 2000 broadcaster Rob Howden said. "Yesterday and today here in Portland, two victories. Big time stuff for the second-generation driver." 

With the IndyCar paddock in attendance, Oliver Wheldon was greeted on the podium by two of his father's former teammates Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti to celebrate. 

It felt like it was a long time coming even if it was only 11 races into his career. For fans of the Wheldon name, this weekend nearly 15 years in the making. 

While a championship may not be in the cards for Wheldon, who missed the opening two races in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla. due to age requirements (you must be 15 years old to compete), his performance in Portland moved him to sixth in the standings. He has five races left in the season to capitalize on the momentum earned in Portland. 

Dan Wheldon was nicknamed Lionheart due to his brave and fearless mindset. Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon have shown that those traits have made it down the blood line. 

They are all Lionhearts. 

Reporter Jon Allen can be reached at 406-758-4426 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.