Will Wheldon win Indy 500 with lucky number?
Dan Wheldon may be the beneficiary of Super Saver's win in the 136th Kentucky Derby. Super Saver carried No. 4 when he won the May 1 horse race, the same number as Wheldon's National Guard Panther Racing Honda-powered Dallara will carry at the end of the month in the Indianapolis 500.
Wheldon, who is one of the most superstitious drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series, doesn't see that as a karmic sign, but since 1911 the Derby and Indianapolis 500 winners have shared the same number eight times:
Year |
Derby winner | Indianapolis 500 winner | Number |
1915 | Regret | Ralph De Palma | 2 |
1940 | Gallahadion | Wilbur Shaw | 1 |
1970 | Dust Commander | Al Unser | 2 |
1976 | Bold Forbes | Johnny Rutherford | 2 |
1978 | Affirmed | Al Unser | 2 |
1997 | Silver Charm | Arie Luyendyk | 5 |
2003 | Funny Cide | Gil de Ferran | 6 |
2004 | Smarty Jones | Buddy Rice | 15 |