Race Weekend Central

Bryan Clauson Dead at 27

Bryan Clauson, a driver who competed in USAC, IndyCar, NASCAR and much more over his career, has died. He was 27.

Clauson, his family announced Monday, died Sunday night after succumbing to injuries sustained in a race at the Belleville Midget Nationals on Saturday night, Aug. 6, reports USA Today.

His car struck a guard rail in turns 3 and 4, flipping before being struck by another car, driven by Ryan Greth, according to eyewitness reports at the track on social media.

“This is truly one of the darkest days in the 60-year history of the United States Auto Club,” USAC CEO Kevin Miller said in a press statement. “Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC champions, we’ve lost a true ambassador for all of motor sports.”

Added Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vp and chief racing development officer: “NASCAR extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bryan Clauson, a passionate competitor whose love for racing fueled his unmatched positive spirit. He was a dear friend to many in the racing community, and he was loved and respected by all who knew him. He touched the lives of so many in our motorsports family, and his warm presence and relentless enthusiasm will be missed.”

Clauson won a pair of USAC national sprint car championships and two national midget car championships in a highly successful USAC career. He also drove in 26 NASCAR XFINITY Series races for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, scoring a top 5 and two top 10s.

From 2012-2016, he ran three Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of 23rd coming in this year’s running.

Clauson also competed in six ARCA Racing Series events in 2007, snagging a win, four top 5s and four top 10s.

About the author

Rutherford is the managing editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2015 after serving on the editing staff for two years. At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.

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Robin1

This is so sad. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Again, for people who don’t think this is still a dangerous sport, this is a tragic reminder.

DoninAjax

“Some of it’s magic
Some of it’s tragic”

paltex

Lost a friend of mine a number of years ago driving a midget. These little cars will eat you up. So sad about Brian, just had a great write-up in the latest issue of Sprint Car and Midget. He will be missed!

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