Bryan Clauson (right) during a USAC race in June at Williams Grove Speedway. Clauson Died last week from injuries suffered during a race in Kansas on Saturday. (Photo: Christian Arnold)
(Undated) — The death of versatile race car driver Bryan Clauson is still fresh on the minds of drivers across the country, including in central Pennsylvania.
Clauson, 27, wasn’t a regular around the central Pennsylvania dirt track scene, but the accomplished USAC driver had made several stops in the area earlier in the season. In June, he picked up a victory at Lincoln Speedway during the USAC Eastern Storm series, and he was part of the first USAC Silver Crown race at Williams Grove in 35 years.
Clauson returned to the region for Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek in late June to early July.
“Just a super-nice guy and it’s a tragedy,” local driver Austin Hogue said Saturday. “When it’s somebody you see and you met, and have gotten a chance to talk to it makes it definitely a little bit more real. It makes it sink in a little bit more on how potential is there for anybody (to crash and die). If it can happen to Bryan it can happen to anybody.
“A guy as talented as they come in a race car and crazy things just happen.”
Clauson had just taken the lead Aug. 6 at the Belleville Midget Nationals in Kansas when he flipped after climbing the rail in turns three and four. Clauson was then struck by another car, and he died of his injuries late Sunday night.
Clauson had an impressive racing resume, which spanned across several divisions. He won two USAC national sprint car championships and two USAC national midget car championships. Clauson ran in three Indy 500 races, including this year’s race in May, and had ran 26 races in the NASCAR Xfinity series.
As good of a driver Clauson was, he was remembered for being an even better person. Clauson is remembered as being someone who was always approachable, even if you barely knew him.
“I’ve never seen anybody say a bad word about the guy,” said driver Alan Krimes, who met Clauson during PA Speedweek. “He just seemed like he was real laid back. I never talked to him before, but talking to him there it felt like I knew him for 10 years. I always seen him, he always had a big smile on his face.”
The nation’s top short-track driver was attempting to run 200 races this season, and had completed 117 and won 27 of them. Clauson was scheduled to return to the area this week with the USAC Midgets after competing in the Knoxville Nationals.
“He was a tremendous person and he was a great guy,” said Susquehanna Speedway general manager Kolten Gouse, who knew Clauson. “He’d do anything for you. Away from the race track he was just an all-around good person. … It’s tough not seeing him out there.”
As the races got underway over the weekend as usual, the reality of what happened was still on the minds of some racers. Though they understood the risks of the sport.
“It’s just one of those things, if it’s something you love you gotta just accept what comes with it,” Hogue said.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
