Servia to drive late friend Wilson's No. 25 car in IndyCar finale

By foxsports
Published

 

Justin Wilson is gone but he is certainly not forgotten as the Verizon IndyCar Series will demonstrate when it returns to the track Friday afternoon at Sonoma Raceway for nearly four hours of practice.

Wilson, the 37-year-old British native who died Monday, a day after he was struck in the head by debris from Sage Karam's crashed race car in last Sunday's ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway, was one of the most beloved drivers in the IndyCar community.

And in Sunday's season-ending GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma, Wilson's No. 25 Honda will be on the track, Oriol Servia of Spain named by Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti to drive Wilson's car at Sonoma as a way to remember IndyCar's fallen comrade who was a true racer.

"Justin was a true racer and advocate to our sport," Andretti said. "We will have Justin and his family in our hearts this weekend as we honor him in the way he would want us to, by doing what he loved – racing."

Servia was one of Wilson's many close friends and is honored to drive the No. 25 Honda as a fitting tribute to the driver from Sheffield, England.

Another friend, teammate Marco Andretti, honored Wilson on Thursday by driving the No. 25 across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as part of the IndyCar parade to kick off this weekend's festivities.

"The situation is so difficult on so many levels for obvious reasons that it's hard for the words to come out the right way," Servia said. "I have known and raced Justin for more than 10 years. I have an enormous amount of respect for him as a racer, but his qualities as a human were definitely an inspiration to anyone who ever met him."

Wilson's friendly attitude and interest in others made him highly respected and loved in a sport where drivers are often at odds with each other. The dignity and grace Wilson displayed in his profession helped fierce competitors become more introspective in how they should carry themselves.

"As I said earlier this week, I truly feel he was one of these souls who has evolved a lot more than the rest of us, and it is something you could feel immediately during your first exchange with him," Servia said. "He will be greatly missed as we all try to emulate his spirit. I am honored and emotional with the opportunity of driving his car this weekend. I want to thank my friends at Andretti Autosport for the opportunity, and I want to express how deeply touched I am by the desire of Julia, Stefan and all the Wilson family to have me driving the No. 25."

Wilson's younger brother, Stefan, believes Servia is a perfect choice to carry on the legacy of his departed brother.

"As a family, we cannot imagine a better person to race in Justin's honor than Oriol," Wilson said. "His path and Justin's crossed in many different ways through the years. As a competitor, and also as a person, he carries Justin's spirit well, and we know that Justin would approve."

Additionally, American Honda Motor Company, Inc., and Honda Performance Development announced Thursday a contribution to the Wilson Children's Fund based on laps completed by all Honda entries in the race. The Wilson Children's Fund was established this week to benefit the surviving daughters of Honda IndyCar driver Justin Wilson and his wife, Julia.

American Honda and HPD will contribute $50 per lap completed at Sonoma by each of the 13 Honda entries at this weekend's race for a possible donation of just over $55,000 to the Wilson Children's Fund.

"Justin was a valuable member of our racing program, but he also was our friend, and all of us at American Honda and HPD grieve together at his loss," said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development. "We're hoping to honor his memory with this pledge, and hope that Justin's many fans and friends can also assist the family at this tragic time."

For anyone wishing to contribute to the Wilson Children's Fund, please mail donations to:

U.K.-based supporters who wish to send cards and other condolences to Justin's family may use the address below:

Additionally, commemorative decals and T-shirts honoring Wilson, with all proceeds going directly to the Wilson Children's Fund, are now available from this link.

Be sure to catch Bruce Martin's Honda IndyCar Report on RACEDAY on FOX Sports Radio every Sunday from 6-8 a.m. ET.