Justin Timberlake, Ashley Judd Remember Racing Star Dan Wheldon

Stars offer their condolences in the wake of yesterday's tragic crash that killed the racing legend

By Josh Grossberg Oct 17, 2011 5:34 PMTags
Justin Timberlake, Ashley JuddAmanda Schwab/Startraksphoto.com; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Justin Timberlake and Ashley Judd are mourning yesterday's tragic death of two-time Indianapolis 500 champ Dan Wheldon, whom both knew personally.

In a statement released to E! News, the former 'N Syncer paid tribute to the racing star, who was sponsored by William Rast, Timberlake's clothing line.

"I was deeply saddened to hear the news on Dan Wheldon's unfortunate and untimely death," said the pop star turned actor. "He was a great driver and a strong supporter of William Rast Racing.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time of loss."

Wheldon, 33, died Sunday in a horrific 15-car pileup at the Las Vegas Indy 300. He was airlifted from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to a nearby hospital but did not survive his injuries.

Judd, who was at the race supporting her Scottish auto racer hubby Dario Franchitti, when the fiery accident happened—posted a series of tweets paying tribute to the Englishman in verse.

"As we continue to absorb Dan's accident - we forget, remember, re-experience shock, denial, anger, pain - I'm reminded of a favorite poem," she wrote on her Twitter page.

The movie star then quoted John Donne's famous sonnet: "DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, Due not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest & sleepe, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure then from thee, much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie. One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.."

Judd also reflected on the suffering Wheldon's family—Susie Behm and their two children, Sebastian and Oliver—are going through as well as Franchitti, who was a rival and friend of Wheldon and is broken up over the loss.

"Hardest parts, Thinking about Susie, Sebastian, Oliver. Seeing my husband grieve," she tweeted. "Nights are so awful at first. Poor woman. Such pain."