British driver Dan Wheldon, 33, a two-time Indy 500 champion, died on Sunday after being involved in a 15 car crash early during a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

After the series of crashes, which injured several drivers, Wheldon was transported by helicopter to University Medical Center, where he died of his injuries, according to Indy Racing League officials.

Video replays showed Wheldon was in the middle of a pack of more than 30 cars in the 1 1/2 mile-long oval track.

Wheldon's No. 77 vehicle flew over another car, exploding into flames as it hit a "catch fence" surrounding the track.

IRL announced Wheldon's death and ended the race after 11 laps of what had been expected to be a 200 lap event.