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Obituary

Bryan Clauson succumbs to injuries after Belleville accident

Bryan Clauson, who was seriously injured in a vicious wreck in Saturday night’s Belleville Midget Nationals, has died, it was confirmed on Monday in a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Vision Sport Agency

2014 Chili Bowl Champion Bryan Clauson
Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Bryan Clauson
Bryan Clauson, KV Racing Technology Chevrolet
Christopher Bell and Bryan Clauson

The native of Sacramento, Calif., grew up in Noblesville, Ind. He was 27.

"This is truly one of the darkest days in the 60-year history of the United States Auto Club," said USAC President and CEO Kevin Miller.

The three-time Belleville winner and defending champion started the race ninth and was leading when he flipped off the guard rail between Turns 3 and 4, before being hit by Ryan Greth in Turn 4 while the car was rolling. The race was red-flagged on Lap 14. Chad Boat went on to win the race. 

Clauson was airlifted from Belleville (Kan.) High Banks Speedway Fairgrounds to Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln, Neb., following his accident. He was attempting to compete in 200 races this year between IndyCar, sprint cars, winged sprint cars, and midgets. 

This was Clauson’s second wreck of the weekend. He started seventh in the first night of the Belleville Nationals but crashed in Turn 4 after hitting the stalled midget of Morgan Frewaldt coming to the white flag.

Belleville High Banks is a ½-mile dirt track with more than a century of racing tradition, that has included victories in the Nationals event by such stars as Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu.

“Short-track racing has always been the heart and soul of auto racing in America,” said Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.

“Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car. And he proved on the world's largest racing stage – by leading three laps in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 – that he could use that talent in just about anything with wheels.

“More importantly, he possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around,” Boles added.

“His spirit, his positive outlook and his thrilling talent will be missed by the entire racing community. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are with the Clauson family in this difficult time.”

Clauson is survived by his parents, Tim and Di, his sister Taylor and fiancée Lauren Stewart. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Statement from Clauson family

"Last night, the 7th of August, we said goodbye to our son, my fiancé, our friend, Bryan Clauson. He was surrounded by family and friends and we were grateful that we could experience his final moments with him.

"Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various race cars he would park in victory lane. However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans.

"We would like to thank everybody who has shown their concern toward us and kept us in their prayers. We will never be able to truly thank you. We would also like to thank the staff at Bryan Medical Center who stood and fought with our Bryan since he arrived here early yesterday morning."

In lieu of flowers, or to make a donation, people may direct contributions to the USAC Benevolent Fund website or checks should be made out to the USAC Benevolent Foundation in the name of Bryan Clauson. The address is 124 E Northfield Drive, Suite F #129, Brownsburg, IN 46112.

Diverse racing resume

Clauson had an extensive background in several forms of motorsports.

He has run a limited schedule in IndyCar, competing in three Indy 500s (2012, 2015, 2016). He scored his best finish this year, 23rd. As an Indy Lights driver, he took his sole podium finish at Iowa in 2011.

Clauson was also a former development driver for team owner Chip Ganassi in NASCAR and competed 26 races over the 2007-2008 seasons. He won the pole for the July Xfinity Series race at Daytona and finished a career-high fifth at Kentucky that same season.

In ARCA, Clauson won at Gateway Motorsports Park in 2007 and won the pole at Talladega Superspeedway.

But Clauson was best known for his dirt racing prowess as one of the top dirt racers in the country. He was a three-time USAC National Midget champion (2010, 2011, 2015), three-time USAC National Drivers champion (2010, 2011, 2012), two-time USAC National Sprint Car champion (2012, 2013), and wins in both the Chili Bowl (2014) and Turkey Night Grand Prix (2009, 2010).

His 112 wins see him ranked fifth in USAC history.

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