Dan Wheldon eligible for IndyCar’s $5 million bonus

Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon will have a $5 million bonus opportunity at next month's Izod IndyCar Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Many of the details are still to be worked out and unveiled — a news conference is scheduled Tuesday –but if Wheldon wins the Izod World Championships on Oct. 16, he'll garner $2.5 million for his team and $2.5 million for a fan.

IndyCar went with the Wheldon option because no driver outside open-wheel racing stepped forward to participate. IndyCar wanted a competitor who could attract attention, and Wheldon, who has not competed in an IndyCar race since May, offers the best chance for that.

Wheldon, the 2005 series champion, is a two-time 500 winner. He has won 16 IndyCar races. IndyStar