Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon has been airlifted to a local hospital after being involved in one of the worst motor racing crashes in memory today in the IndyCar Series finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Wheldon was among 15 cars collected in a wreck of unspeakable magnitude shortly into the race. His condition is currently unknown.

The video is below the jump, but we advise you to brace yourself before watching it.

Wheldon is known as one of racing's good guys. After winning the Indy 500 in an upset this year, he was unable to find another ride.

But IndyCar put up a special challenge to feature Wheldon in the final race of the season. Wheldon would have to start in the back of the field, but would have a chance to win big money if he was able to make a comeback and win it.

Pippa Mann and J.R. Hildebrand have also been transported to a local hospital after this terrifying crash, which surely ranks among the worst in racing history.

Let's all cross our fingers that Wheldon makes it through this.

UPDATE: IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has announced that Dan Wheldon has passed away.