Julia Wilson: “Stefan will do well and honor his brother” 

Julia, who went to the 2016 IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg, confirmed that she would also be attending the 100^th running of the Indy 500 in order to support Stefan. 

She told Motorsport.com that she knows Justin would have taken great pride in his younger brother. 

“I know it’s every driver’s dream to race the Indy 500,” she said, "and Stef has worked very hard to get there, so I’m very pleased for him.

“Of course, we all wish Justin could have seen it happen too because he’d have been so proud and he’d have been really helpful to Stef. He always was.

“When Stef described Justin as his hero, he really meant it because, honestly, Justin was the perfect big brother. He gave advice whenever he could, but also let Stef stand on his own two feet. He never tried to act as his agent or anything like that.”

Justin and Stefan’s parents, Keith and Lynne, are expected to also make the journey in May to Indianapolis, which Stefan now calls home. Julia said she knows the whole family are going to be wracked with emotion, but did not want her late husband’s legacy to steal the spotlight from his brother.

“Yeah, it’s going to be incredibly hard for the whole family,” she said. “Justin’s going to be on all our minds. I mean, there’s no way of avoiding that, is there? Justin loved Indy, and he was always good there, whatever car he had. 

“But you know it’s important to not let our emotions turn into something where Stefan feels extra pressure. I don’t think he will though, because he’s such a strong character – I mean, he’s always shown that but he’s really proved it ever since Justin died. He’s been a real rock for all of us.

“I actually think Stef will use Justin’s memory as a positive. I think he’ll keep calm, and think about each situation, ‘OK, how would Justin have dealt with this or that?’ I mean, I know that’s what I do every day!

“So yeah, I have faith that Stefan will do a really good job and honor his brother and all of the family. We’re so proud of him.”

Stefan Wilson will be writing a regular diary for Motorsport.com throughout the Month of May.