Dan Wheldon Funeral Attended by Thousands in St. Petersburg, Florida

The funeral for Dan Wheldon, the IndyCar driver who died in a horrific mid-race crash last week, was held in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday.

More than 1,200 people attended the service at the city's First Presbyterian Church, while even more waited outside to pay their last respects to the late British driver.

Fellow racers and friends Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan were among the pallbearers, along with Wheldon's brothers Austen, Elliott and Ashley Wheldon. Clive Wheldon, the driver's father, carried Dan Wheldon's racing helmet behind the coffin.

You were a true lionheart, my love, Wheldon's wife Susie Wheldon wrote in a letter, which was read by family friend Michael Johnson. I will never forget our final moments together.

I love you, Daniel Clive Wheldon. Thank you for sharing your love and your life with me.

Wheldon was also honored at a memorial service in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday. Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500 twice, most recently in May, which qualified him for the season-closing race at the Las Vegas Speedway where he lost his life. Weldon was killed after a 15 car crash on lap 11 of the race.

At first Dan was pretty much the little brother we didn't want, four-time IndyCar champ Franchitti said at the service And now we'd do anything to have him back. We'll miss you D.W.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people sat in the Conseco Fieldhouse during the memorial, and hundreds of Wheldon fans signed a banner that will be given to Susie Wheldon.

Our time together is not over. We have our friends, we have our memories, and one day we'll be together again, Kanaan said. It is for this reason that I'm not saying goodbye because goodbye is final. So today, I say see you later.

Drivers Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal also attended the service, and musicians Reba McEntire and The Band Perry gave a short performance.

Dan's legacy on and off the track lives on in each one of us and we should remember that, driver Bryan Herta said. God bless you Danny and thank you. We all appreciate it.

Additionally, the inaugural Dan Wheldon Memorial trophy was presented to Sebastien Bourdais at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 race. The trophy is awarded to highest points earner out of the international V8 Supercar drivers.