Hildebrand's Indy 500 Dreams Come Crashing Down

Redwood High grad JR Hildebrand postponed accepting a scholarship to MIT to pursue his dreams of racing glory.

For the most part, it's been a smart move. Then there have been some moves which don't seem so smart...

The 23-year-old from Sausalito came, oh, so close to making his biggest dream come true Sunday at the 10oth Indianapolis 500. With the checkered flag in sight and the win within reach, Hildebrand hit the wall hard while trying to pass lapped traffic on the last turn of the last lap. Hildebrand slid to a second-place finish, his career best.

Bryan Herta Autosport driver Dan Wheldon passed Hildebrand's mangled car to win his second Indy 500. Hildebrand replaced Wheldon at Panther Racing this season, his first full IRL season.

The reaction on Twitter was mixed, some supportive and some putting Hildebrand's move on top of the blooper reel. Here's a sample:

BecSparky, "Hildebrand epic fail. Rookie mistake and I was cheering for you. Next Year. #indy500"

Eric Stangel, "If it was called the Indianapolis 499, Hildebrand would have totally won..."

MattMyftiu, "I feel so bad for that #hildebrand kid, he blew what might be his only shot to win #Indy500."

LeeHarvey13, "For a second, I thought he might try a Ricky Bobby and run to the finish line."

Hildebrand won the Indy Lights points title last season with Andretti Autosport.

"JR is the real deal. He's ready for the big cars," Michael Andretti said after Hildebrand won the Indy Lights Carneros 100 at Sonoma last year. "I'm real proud of him and the whole team. He's real close to the championship now."

Hildebrand will be back on his home track at Infineon Raceway for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 28.

Click here for more on Sunday's Indy 500.