IndyCars Parade Across Golden Gate Bridge in a Justin Wilson Tribute

Teammate Marco Andretti leads the way in Wilson’s #25 racecar.

IndyCar’s top drivers closed down San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge Thursday afternoon, when they drove their open-wheel racecars across the bridge in a tribute to fallen colleague Justin Wilson.

Wilson died Monday after suffering a severe head injury in Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.

Wilson’s Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti led the convoy in Wilson’s #25 racecar, followed by Maxim-sponsored Graham Rahal in his Steak ‘n ShakeDallara–Honda, Team Penske’s Will Power, CFH Racing‘s Josef Newgarden and James Hincliffe in the special two-seat demonstration IndyCar with the championship Astor Cup in the back seat.

The two IndyCar safety trucks that responded to Wilson’s crash trailed behind, flying Justin Wilson flags.

The drivers appreciated the opportunity to distract themselves from Wilson’s loss, while also honoring him.

“It’s hard to ever move on from something like that,” Andretti said. “It won’t fully hit me until after the season is over and we drop our focus. When Dan Wheldon was killed (in Las Vegas in 2011) it was the last race of the season. This one, we have all felt it but we have tried to stay busy thinking about this race. We are trying to remember Justin and celebrate his life. I got together with some fellow drivers at my house on Sunday night and it was good for us to all get together.”

“I saw him come to a halt and saw his head and I threw my headphones because I knew it was really bad,” said Andretti, who was watching from the pit lane after his own earlier crash. “I didn’t know it was fatal right away but I knew it was bad.”

“It’s a tough week for everybody,” said Rahal, Wilson’s 2008 teammate. “I just focus on doing what we have to this weekend to try to win a championship. Losing Justin is a big hit for everybody. I’m going to go out there and try to win a championship for him.”

Photos by IndyCar