The NTT INDYCAR SERIES just taught the sports world and arguably everyone a massive lesson.
On the eve of their biggest race of the year, the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, competition took a back seat and friendship and compassion came were on show.
As we all know, NTT INDYCAR SERIES veteran Graham Rahal missed out on a place on the grid for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday.
On Monday, during the final full field practice session before Carb Day, Stefan Wilson, driving the No.24 CareKeepers Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet crashed heavily resulting in a fractured virtabrae, ruling him out of the race.
As Graham Rahal said during his media conference, there were a lot of hurdles to overcome on Monday night, but they did it.
This story is just a part of May and it is one that will go down in history in this reporters opinion as a moment of pure class.
This situation has not only shown compassion, but it has shown how much of a family the NTT INDYCAR SERIES community is.
Everyone who is involved in the series should be proud of what happened today.
The most important thing is that Stefan gets better soon.
The on track competition between Honda and Chevrolet is huge, however, when needed they came together for the greater good.
Bobby Rahal said earlier today that he and Dennis Reinbold have been friends for a number of years while Graham echoed that sentiment in relation to Stefan Wilson and is looking forward to the challenge of jumping in the No.24 CareKeepers Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet.
It is a lesson that will serve not just the series well but also the wider sports and world community that a little compassion goes a long way.
What will be really interesting to see on Sunday will be to watch how Graham gets on against his Rahal teammates, Katherine Legge, Christian Lundgaard and Jack Harvey.