Wheldon makes pitch at baseball game.

IndyCar Series points leader Dan Wheldon couldn't offer an educated opinion about reasons behind the Chicago Cubs' latest frustrating season, but the British import knew he was on hallowed ground when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch in a recent baseball game between the Cubs and the equally famous Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs, who haven't won the Major League Baseball World Series since the early years of the 20th century, are one of the most storied of all teams in America's national game. While Wheldon might not be a baseball expert, he was still honoured to step onto one of the most hallowed baseball grounds of all.

Wrigley Field, famous for its ivy covered outfield wall, is three years younger than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"Obviously, Wrigley Field is similar to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in that it has that same mystique to it," said Wheldon, who was in Chicago for a round of appearances promoting the Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean on September 11th. "I don't follow baseball too much, but I know how cool that stadium is and the history and heritage behind it."

Sadly, Wheldon's appearance wasn't enough to boost the Cubs' form, as they lost the game 7-0.

"It wasn't as good a throw as the one I did at Shea Stadium; it was a little high," said Wheldon, referring to his New York appearance while on his Indy 500 Victory Tour. "This was more of an English cricket throw than a pitch. I was throwing it a little high on purpose to show them I had a different pitch than the one I did at Shea Stadium. It just dropped about 10 feet too late."

Wheldon also met "Rudy" Ruettiger, subject of the 1993 big-screen movie directed by David Anspaugh and written by Angelo Pizzo ("Hoosiers"). Wheldon, whose long-time dream was to win the Indianapolis 500, could relate to the film version of Ruettiger's aspirations of playing football for Notre Dame.

"It's a movie that's not only good but somewhat relevant to you because you're involved in a particular sport, just a slightly different one," said Wheldon, who invited Ruettiger to be his guest at the race at Chicagoland Speedway.