Wheldon's image will be on Indy 500 tickets

The Indianapolis 500 will pay tribute to the late Dan Wheldon by putting his image on this year's race tickets.

The defending champion is traditionally honored by appearing on the following year's tickets. Wheldon won his second 500 title last May and did much of the testing in the new Indy cars, but was killed in a crash at last season's final IndyCar race at Las Vegas.

On Tuesday morning, speedway officials will unveil the artwork at Avon Middle School near Indianapolis where guidance counselor Paul Quirke will be presented with a 5-foot replica of the ticket. Quirke won a Facebook contest in which 250 fans explained why their seats were the best ones at the track.

Season-ticket holders will be mailed their tickets later this week.