Bryan Clauson, a top dirt-track driver, dies from injuries suffered in a crash.
INDIANAPOLIS — Bryan Clauson, a popular driver considered by many to be the top dirttrack racer in the country, died Sunday night from injuries suffered in a crash during a race in Kansas. He was 27.
His death was announced Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“This is truly one of the darkest days in the 60-year history of the United States Auto Club. Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC champions, we’ve lost a true ambassador for all motorsports,” USAC president and CEO Kevin Miller said.
Clauson was leading Saturday night’s race at the Belleville (Kan.) Midget Nationals — which Miller called “one of the most prestigious races on our challenging schedule” — when he crashed while passing lapped traffic; his car rolled and was hit by another competitor. He was airlifted to a hospital in Nebraska, where he died surrounded by his family.
It was another tough loss for the racing community, which has had several drivers die in recent years. In 2013, Jason Leffler died following a crash at a New Jersey sprint car race. The following year, Formula One driver Jules Bianchi suffered head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix that ultimately cost him his life. A year ago, Justin Wilson was killed when he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono.
Clauson was on pace to compete in 200 races this year. He had 27 victories in 116 starts, and he led three laps in the Indianapolis 500 on May 29 — hours before winning a sprint car race in nearby Kokomo in what he called an “Indiana Double.”
Clauson was a development driver for Chip Ganassi in NASCAR, where he competed in 26 races over the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He also spent several seasons driving for Tony Stewart’s sprint car team.
Funeral arrangements were pending. A memorial service in his honor will be scheduled at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway later.