In the run-up to the final race of the 2015 season, Verizon IndyCar Series held a press conference with the top six drivers in the points - Juan Pablo Montoya - Penske Racing, Scott Dixon - Chip Ganassi Racing, Will Power - Penske Racing, Graham Rahal - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Helio Castroneves - Penske Racing, Josef Newgarden - CFH Racing - for the GoPro Grand Prix Of Sonoma.

During the press conference, the subject of the passing of fellow ChampCar/IndyCar competitor, British driver, family man Justin Wilson came up and contained here are the reflections of the top six drivers in the points before the final race of the season. Justin Wilson passed away on August 24th 2015, just four day before these comments were recorded.

At the time, Justin Wilson, 37, had died Monday August 24, 2015, a day after he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during the Verizon IndyCar Series race at Pocono Raceway.

Wilson was hit by debris from the car of rookie Sage Karam, who was leading the ABC Supply 500 when his No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet spun on its own in Turn 1 on Lap 179 of the 200-lap race Sunday. IndyCar drivers are far more susceptible to head injuries than drivers in stock and sport car racing because the cockpits are open and their helmets exposed.

Wilson is the first driver since Dan Wheldon in 2011 to die in a major U.S.-based auto racing series.

He is survived by wife Julia and daughters Jane, 7, and Jessica, 5.
[ht: USA TODAY Sports]

Image Credit: Ken Manfred - Ken Manfred Photography (2010)

The 32-year-old Frenchman drives the No. 1 PPG Industries Chevrolet/Dallara for Team Penske, along side team-mates, Helio Castroneves, Will Power, and new addition ... Josef Newgarden. Now in his seventh full season in the Verizon IndyCar Series, Simon has fourteen wins, including the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis in 2014, and is the defending champion of the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach. He shares this time after starting the season with his second P2 finish in a row at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg before entering the second race of this 2017 season at Long Beach.