IndyCar worked for months to make the 2011 season finale a fitting climax and affirmation of a series on the way back. No one could know it would end up being its darkest hour.
In the aftermath of the devastating crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that claimed the life of Dan Wheldon, three more drivers were also sent to University Medical Center.
Dan Wheldon might be unemployed after his Indy 500 victory on Sunday, but he's not going to be short of cash for the foreseeable future - after pocketing $2.5m for the day's work.
The winner of the 2011 Indy 500 gets twice as much in prize money as the driver in second place, but no one walks away with a less than a quarter of a million dollars after Sunday.
The 23-year old Indy 500 rookie nearly scooped the biggest prize in motorsport. How does anyone pick themselves up from such a devastating last-turn crash?
Dan Wheldon was never far from the front of the field during the three hours of the 2011 Indy 500, but he never looked like winning and never led a lap. Except the last one.
Practice finally got underway in Indianapolis in much improved weather conditions but it was a short run for Simona de Silvestro before a vicious crash left her car upside down and on fire.
JR Hildebrand celebrated his move to the reigning champion AFS/Andretti Green Racing team by clinching his first Firestone Indy Lights pole in qualifying for race one of the Grand Prix of St Petersburg double-header.