Dan Wheldon (1978–2011), one of the biggest names in American motorsport, hailed from Emberton. Though relatively unknown in his native Britain, Wheldon became a star in the United States after winning both the IndyCar championship and the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011. He was killed in a high-speed crash involving 15 cars in the 2011 IndyCar season finale held in Las Vegas.