Curt Cavin

curt.cavin@indystar.com

Bryan Clauson succumbed to injuries suffered in Saturday night’s USAC midget crash in Belleville, Kan., two racing officials confirmed today.

The Noblesville driver had just taken the lead in the 39th Belleville Midget Nationals when he came upon a lapped car as he approached Turn 4. Upon contact with that car, Clauson’s car flipped end over end several times before landing in the middle of the dirt track. A trailing car driven by Ryan Greth could not avoid hitting him, sending both cars tumbling.

Amateur video caught most of the Lap 14 incident, including the final impact. After a lengthy extrication, Clauson was airlifted to Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln, Neb., where he died Sunday.

"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 fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans," Clauson's family announced in a statement.

A memorial service will be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a later date.

"It's one of the darkest days in USAC Racing history," said USAC President Kevin Miller.

Clauson is survived by his parents, Tim and Diana, sister Taylor and his fiancee, Lauren Stewart.

Former USAC champion Tony Stewart said Clauson “had a bright future.”

Cavin: Overlooked Bryan Clauson had Tony Stewart-like talent

Clauson, 27, had been regarded as the nation’s top short-track dirt-car driver for much of the decade. He won four USAC national championships — two in sprint cars, two in midgets. He had started three Indianapolis 500s since 2012 and led three laps in this year’s race before finishing 23rd.

"This is certainly a sad day for the racing community as a whole, and on behalf of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we send our deepest condolences to the family of Bryan Clauson," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., in a news release. "Anybody who witnessed Bryan behind the wheel of a race car can attest to his elite ability, relentlessness and unbridled willingness to race anything on wheels. While he'll be remembered most as a legend of short-track racing, his participation in the Indianapolis 500 exemplifies his fearlessness, true versatility as a competitor and the pure depth of his talent as a driver."

Proof of his versatility, Clauson finished this year’s 500 and drove to Kokomo Speedway, where he won a 30-lap sprint car race. Also in his career was a win in a stock car race in the ARCA series, and he was the fastest qualifier for NASCAR Xfinity Series and Indy Lights races.

Clauson also had a bad crash in Friday’s preliminary race in Belleville, and he tweeted thanks to makers of his safety equipment and chassis manufacturer. In almost the same location as his Saturday night crash, Clauson couldn’t avoid hitting the stalled car of Morgan Frewaldt. The impact did not injure either driver, although Clauson’s team tweeted that he was sore the day after.

Racing world reacts to Bryan Clauson's death

The Belleville High Banks is a half-mile dirt oval 200 miles northwest of Kansas City, Mo., and is one of the fastest tracks in the U.S. Clauson was aiming for his fourth victory in this event; he won last year. He had started ninth in Saturday's race.

Clauson was in his 116th start of the season. He was bidding to compete in 200 races this season. He won Wednesday night’s midget race in Beloit, Kan., for his 27th victory of the year.

Clauson’s first Indianapolis 500 start came with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, but mechanical issues forced him out of the car after only 46 laps. His second start came as a Byrd’s Racing/KVSH entry last year, and he completed 61 laps before crashing. He completed all but two laps of the recent race in a Byrd’s/Dale Coyne Racing entry.

"He possessed a humility and character out of the race car that made him a person that fellow competitors and fans alike enjoyed being around," said IMS President Doug Boles in a news release. "His spirit, his positive outlook and his thrilling talent will be missed by the entire racing community. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are with the Clauson family in this difficult time."

Saturday night’s race was won by Chad Boat, the son of former midget champion and IndyCar Series driver Billy Boat.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, or to make a donation, people may direct their contributions to the USAC Benevolent Foundation website at http://usacbf.org/cash-donation/ or checks should be made out to the USAC Benevolent Foundation in the name of Bryan Clauson. The address is 124 E. Northfield Drive, Suite F #129, Brownsburg, IN 46112.

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