Dan Wheldon Car Crash

Wheldon died on Sunday when he was caught up in a stunning chain-reaction crash (AFP/Getty Images/File, Robert Laberge)

CAR NEWS From www.ibtimes.com, As Will Power became mired in the crash that caused the death of his rival and friend Dan Wheldon, he allowed the thought of death to enter his mind.

"Your worst nightmare is to end up airborne and heading toward the catch fence," Power told the Daily Mirror on Wednesday. The catch fence just destroys the car. A lot of guys have had their legs destroyed."

"So, I thought, 'This is it!'"

Speaking three days after the crash that killed Wheldon, Power didn't suffer the same fate. In interviews, Power blamed the setup of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway track, the catch fence and the race speeds as reasons Wheldon died.

From AFP, IndyCar has launched its probe into the crash in which Dan Wheldon died, and hope to have a preliminary report within weeks, the US open-wheel racing series said in a statement.

Wheldon, a 33-year-old English driver who won the famed Indianapolis 500 twice, died on Sunday when he was caught up in a stunning chain-reaction crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in what would have been IndyCar's season finale.

Fifteen cars were involved in the fiery melee on the 12th lap, after which the race was cancelled.

"The entire IndyCar family is saddened by Dan Wheldon's tragic death, and our thoughts continue to be, first and foremost, with Dan's wife, Susie, and his entire family at this incredibly difficult time," an IndyCar statement said.