INDIANAPOLIS – Following a crash at Saturday’s Belleville Midget Nationals in Kansas, three-time USAC national drivers’ champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson has died of his injuries at the age of 27.
The announcement was made Monday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with USAC CEO and President Kevin Miller in attendance for the press conference.
“It is with extreme sadness that we must accept this devastating news,” said Miller. “This is one of the darkest days in the history of the United States Auto Club. Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC Champions, we have lost a true ambassador for all of motorsports. Bryan’s passion for our sport was unparalleled. He was a leader not only on the track, but in the pits with his fellow competitors. There is a tremendous hole in the hearts of our community today as we grieve his loss along with his family and friends.”
“Bryan was a mentor, a competitor, and a close friend,” added USAC Series Director Levi Jones. “I am truly saddened by his loss and we will miss him dearly in our sport.”
Clauson was in the midst of a historic season – dubbed “Circular Insanity” by his team, family and friends – where he was on pace to compete in 200 races between winged and non-winged sprint cars, national midgets and including his third start in the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ back in May for Dale Coyne Racing and Jonathan Byrd’s Racing.
He was one of six drivers to reach the threshold of 100 or more USAC feature wins in his career, cresting the century mark during the Winter Challenge at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona. Clauson was the youngest driver in USAC history to reach triple digits in the wins column.
Clauson’s career ends with 112 career USAC victories, fifth all-time behind only USAC Hall of Famers Rich Vogler, A.J. Foyt, Sleepy Tripp and Mel Kenyon. He ranks seventh on both the USAC National Sprint Car and USAC National Midget win lists, with 41 and 38 wins, respectively, in each division. Clauson also scored two career USAC Silver Crown victories over his time in the sport.
Clauson had recently scored his 27th feature victory of the year on Wednesday night, in a National Midget race at Solomon Valley Raceway in Beloit, Kansas. He was looking to become a four-time winner at Belleville on Saturday, and had just taken the lead from Chad Boat before the accident broke out in slower traffic.
Clauson finished 22nd — his career-best in the event — during this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The family released a statement during the official announcement:
“Last night, the seventh 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 fans 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.”
“We know that our Bryan is also your Bryan and that you would like to participate in honoring him. A service will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a date and time to be announced soon.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations to be made to the USAC Benevolent Fund.
Those interested in donating to the fund may direct their contributions to the fund’s online website at http://usacbf.org/cash-donation/, or can make out checks to the USAC Benevolent Foundation in the name of Bryan Clauson, 124 E Northfield Drive, Suite F #129, Brownsburg, IN 46112.
This story will be updated.
