IndyCar to reveal Wheldon investigation findings

IndyCar officials plan to announce Thursday their initial findings from the investigation into Dan Wheldon's fatal accident.

Wheldon was killed in the opening laps of the Oct. 16 season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was involved in a 15-car accident, and his car sailed into the catchfence.

Many elements of the event have been criticized in the wake of the accident, and IndyCar hasn't released its 2012 schedule because officials have been waiting for investigation to be complete. Among the concerns is learning if the IndyCar is compatible with high-banked ovals.

The series came to an agreement last week with Las Vegas to buy its way out of the portion of the contract that called for IndyCar to end 2012 at Las Vegas.

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Dan Wheldon: 1978-2011

Earlier, the massive wreck that Wheldon died in was described as "the perfect storm." They were racing on a high-banked oval crowded with the largest field of the season. There was a slew of inexperienced or impatient drivers racing at more than 220 mph and absolutely no room for error.

Perhaps adding to the tense nature of the race that day was IndyCar chairman Randy Bernard's announcement of a $5 million payday to any moonlighting driver who could win that race.