INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Windom has added another piece to his expanding racing calendar, joining Clauson-Marshall Racing for a full NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series campaign.
The news came as part of NOS’ announcement on Monday night of a two-car midget program with Clauson-Marshall for the upcoming USAC season.
The former USAC Silver Crown and AMSOIL National Sprint Car champion will pilot the No. 17bc, while returning Clauson-Marshall driver Tyler Courtney wheels the No. 7bc again this year.
Windom’s signing with Clauson-Marshall gives him a ride in all three USAC National divisions for the upcoming season, as the Canton, Ill., native takes his shot at becoming the seventh driver in history to complete the USAC Triple Crown.
“I lost two deals over the winter, but picked up two really solid rides and now I’ve added a great opportunity with Clauson-Marshall that I’m looking forward to starting this week in Florida,” Windom told SPEED SPORT. “To have NOS Energy Drink as the primary sponsor of our No. 17bc this season is a huge deal; they’ve been a huge supporter of my career over the past few years and it’s an honor to represent them and their brand.
“These Clauson-Marshall guys have proven that they can contend for wins and championships, and that’s the ultimate goal, obviously … is to try and win a title the first year out,” added Windom. “This team is a first-class operation and I’m excited to get working with them and see what we can do.”
Windom noted that his partnership with NOS Energy Drink was key to his signing with Clauson-Marshall.
“NOS was a big catalyst in this deal getting done,” Windom noted. “We started talking about this back around … September or October, and it just took some time to get everything buttoned up. Now that the deal is done, I’m looking forward and focused on going out and delivering some wins for all these guys.”
Now, Windom turns his focus to becoming the first man since Tracy Hines in 2015 to complete the trifecta.
“I’ve won the Silver Crown and sprint car championships, but I want that midget title and to be able to say I completed the Triple Crown,” Windom said. “There’s a really short list of drivers that can say they’ve done that and I’m looking to join them this year, for sure.”
Meanwhile, Courtney comes back to Clauson-Marshall fresh off his first AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series title, earned with the team’s sprint car operation last fall on a tiebreaker against Kevin Thomas Jr.
Courtney won two USAC national midget features last season, including a crown-jewel victory during the 4-Crown Nationals at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, and is looking to add to that success this year.
“Man, I’m excited about getting the USAC midget season started. This year is going to be a blast,” said Courtney. “I can’t wait to get after it in Florida with Clauson-Marshall Racing and all the guys on this team and I can’t say thanks enough to NOS Energy Drink for their continued support. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
Additional announcements about Clauson-Marshall Racing’s full-time lineup for the USAC National Midget Series season will be forthcoming, but team owner Tim Clauson is glad to have the services of two veterans leading his team this season.
“Obviously, to have Sunshine (Tyler Courtney) back with us is a big deal, and we’re really excited about adding Chris (Windom) for the full schedule this year,” Clauson noted. “Having those two guys together … they’re really good friends off the track and I think they complement one another really well from a driving standpoint.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring to the team and how they both help to elevate our program even further as we work through this season.”
