Wednesday’s grand opening will do more than continue the remembrance of Clauson’s career and honor his memory.
It will also add additional financial security to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, which keeps its doors open solely through donations and the revenue that comes in from those who lease suites.
“All non-profits are money-losing entities. Museums don’t make money, they take money,” Baker explained. “The thing that keeps our museum open and our No. 1 source of revenue are the suites on top of our building. We have 20 suites on top of our museum and that’s the revenue that keeps our doors open seven days a week and year-round, so that race fans can come in and learn more about sprint car racing. We knew when we started this project that if we were going to keep the museum open that we had to figure out a way to increase our revenue.
“Now, with the completion of the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower, we’ll be able to lease those additional 12 suites and increase that revenue so that we can continue our mission of honoring and chronicling the history of sprint car racing,” Baker added. “It’s something that’s very near and dear to my heart and something that all of us here are proud to do for all the fans of the discipline across the world.”
Baker stressed that the project would not have been possible without a team effort from the entire racing industry, as Clauson’s impact reached far beyond a single discipline or group of people.
“This has been all thanks to a great outpouring from the sprint car community. That’s the best way I can describe it,” said Baker. “It’s very humbling to have seen all this happen. People who met Bryan once or shook his hand at a race track have sent in donations. Bryan’s former sponsors have sent in donations. His family has supported us through all of this. It’s just been amazing to see it all come together.
“That’s simply the kind of impact that Bryan had on everyone he met and everyone involved in this sport. There are just some people who are special in what they do. Bryan was one of those people. He continues to be missed, but his legacy will live on forever in racing.”
The grand opening of the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower is set for 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum.
A number of dignitaries are expected to attend, including multiple members of the Clauson family, Clauson’s heart recipient Dan Alexander, benefactors Richard and Jennifer Marshall and numerous other donors and fans of Clauson’s from over the years.
Current World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen; Clauson-Marshall Racing USAC National Midget rookie Zeb Wise and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees Bobby Allen and Shane Carson are also anticipated to attend the ceremony.
For those unable to attend the opening, a free video stream of the event will be available at www.facebook.com/WatchTheCushion.
Fund-raising to cover the cost of the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower continues as well, with roughly $2.4 million of the total construction costs for the building raised so far.
Roughly $1 million still needs to be collected. To donate, log on to BCForever.com.
