Wheldon goes back to his karting roots

Dan Wheldon Credit: Shawn Payne/IndyCar Series

Over the weekend, he drove in the Rotax Senior division of the CKI Florida Cup in Homestead, Fla. - the first of 13 scheduled karting events he'll compete in around the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule.

"Kart racing is something that is very close to my heart," said Wheldon, the 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series champion who will compete for the second season in the No. 4 National Guard carfor Panther Racing. "It's how I got my start in racing when I was 4 years old. And once you develop a love for kart racing it never goes away,no matter how successful a racing career you might develop over the years in other disciplines."

Wheldon, who earned second place at the World Karting Association event in Daytona, Fla., in December, will participate in two karting events before the IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park on Feb. 24-25. He'll return to Homestead (Fla.) Feb. 26 for the second round of the CKI Florida Cup.

"I couldn't say no to an opportunity to race with some of the best up-and-coming talent out there," said Wheldon, 31. "Those kids are keeping me on my toes … and that is not something that I take lightly."

Vitor Meira, who will drive the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series, also competed in the Rotax Senior division at the Homestead facility.

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