IndyCar Driver Bryan Clauson Dies Following Dirt Track Accident

Paul Jeffrey · Aug 8, 2016

IndyCar driver and versatile all round racer Bryan Clauson has sadly passed away following injuries sustained during a national midget car dirt track race at Belleville in Kansas. Clauson was 27 years old.

The Noblesville native was severely injured during the Saturday Belleville Nationals midget race and lost his fight for life the following night at Bryan Medical Centre in Lincoln, Nebraska. Clauson was a highly versatile driver and was in the middle of an attempt to compete in 200 races during the 2016 season, including his third appearance at the famous Indianapolis 500 IndyCar race in May this year, his third Indy 500 attempt. During the 100th running of the Indy 500 Clauson finished in 23rd position following several laps leading the race, then going on to drive in and win the sprint car feature race victory at Kokomo Speedway dirt track event the same day. Clauson competed in 116 races during 2016 season and picked up his 27th feature win in the midget race on Wednesday night at the Beloitand track in Kansas.

“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., the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“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.”

“Short-track racing has always been the heart and soul of auto racing in America,” said Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favourite to win every time he got in a midget or sprint car. And he proved on the world's largest racing stage – by leading three laps in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 – that he could use that talent in just about anything with wheels.

“More importantly, 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,” Boles added. “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.”

RaceDepartment offers its condolences to family and friends of Clauson at this difficult time.

TobiasR · Aug 8, 2016

Was awful reading the news after the accident. When IMS announced the press conference yesterday, you had to know something was up...
RIP Bryan Clauson

fortyfivekev · Aug 8, 2016

RIP Bryan, thoughts with his family and friends.

Dinca Andrei · Aug 8, 2016

Everytime i think to myself who will be next to be taken by the track...this had happend stil does and will happend...RIP

awatring57 · Aug 8, 2016

As a person from the same hometown, this hurts. You will be missed deeply. Rest in Peace Bryan.

Ole Marius Myrvold · Aug 9, 2016

It's a clichè saying that people die doing what they love doing, but in is 116th race of the season, on his way to the historic 200. There is no doubt that it was a true racer by heart who died.

Ole Andreasen · Aug 9, 2016

Ole Marius Myrvold said:
It's a clichè saying that people die doing what they love doing, but in is 116th race of the season, on his way to the historic 200. There is no doubt that it was a true racer by heart who died.

Kind of my thoughs exactly. I just didn´t know how to put it down in words. It´s so sad everytime, and as Dinca Andrei said - one just sit thinking - Who will be the next?

Christian Moreau · Aug 9, 2016

Rest in Peace Bryan. I have lots of respect for all drivers who go out there, knowing the risks, doing what they love. It's always hard to hear stories like these. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.