ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As a personal touch to the Dan Wheldon monument that was dedicated March 21 near Turn 10 of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg street circuit, his wife and two sons left their hand prints in the wet cement near the base.

Sebastian and Oliver enjoyed the moments of squishy fun.

“I’m so thankful that I have moments like that to share with them just so they continue to know what a great driver and champion Dan was, but more importantly what an amazing human being and father he was,” said Susie Wheldon as she addressed the crowd in Albert Whitted Park. “As they get older, they’ll have lots of moments like that to look back on. I’m so grateful for that and it’s such a special tribute.”

Wheldon, who won the inaugural Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2005 in his adopted hometown, died in October 2011 during a racing accident. The new season begins this weekend.

“It’s hard to believe that the season’s already here,” added Susie Wheldon, who will wave the green flag March 24 (noon ET, NBC Sports Network). “I can’t thank this community enough – not only the people of St. Petersburg, but my racing family for the continued love and support over the past 17 months. You’ve lifted me up.”

Wheldon’s portrait is on the face of the monument, while at the foot are representations of cobblestone – symbolic of Wheldon’s native England – and a row of bricks representative of the rich heritage of the Indianapolis 500 that Wheldon won in 2005 and ’11.

Also unveiled was the Victory Circle monument, which includes a representation of a checkered flag and plaques for each of the race winners. Linking the two monuments constructed of concrete --representing the concrete barriers used in racing on street courses – are additional brick pavers that represent the city’s brick streets.

“It’s a unique collaboration that Ron Whitney came up and we’re pleased and honored,” said Tim Ramsberger, the event president and general manager.

The monuments, which were designed and situated in the public park to honor Wheldon and celebrate St. Petersburg past and future role in IndyCar racing, were designed and erected through a joint effort between the city, Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, American Honda Motor Company and INDYCAR.

“These monuments will stand for generations to come as a remembrance of a great man and to the winners of a great race,” Mayor Bill Foster said.

Helio Castroneves, the only multiple winner of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, placed his third plaque on the Victory Circle monument.

“What an honor last year as everybody saw that I ended up stopping on Dan Wheldon Way to celebrate my victory,” Castroneves said. “It was a great way for us to celebrate Dan and all he meant to all of us. I’ll never forget. It’s great to start the season and excited to be back in St. Petersburg with the Honda Grand Prix.”