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It’s been a sad week in dirt track racing. Many of you are aware of the passing of Bryan Clauson at the age of 27. Clauson lost his life after a racing accident at Belleville, Kansas, last weekend. Clauson earned the reputation of auto racing’s iron man. His goal was to compete in 200 events this season.
Clauson made 117 starts, 27 of which resulted in a win. Clauson raced in NASCAR, USAC, the Indy series and as a journeyman around the country. He was liked and respected by many. Clauson’s final win was at Belleville. Clauson drove for Tony Stewart Racing when Stewart maintained a USAC racing program. The pair were close.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was Clauson’s best friend. Stenhouse will pace the field to start this evening’s Knoxville, Iowa Sprint Car Nationals piloting Clauson’s 410 sprint car ride. Danica Patrick spent Wednesday night in Clauson’s trailer, which was brought to Knoxville, where she helped out by selling t-shirts.
Our sport has a lot of quality people and class acts. In spite of a horrible situation, the goodness of racers and fans has shown through this week.
I spent some time with late model racer Tim Wilson Thursday. We talked shop, racing wise. Wilson was fast out of the box with his new Capital Chassis late model last Saturday at Port Royal. Wilson made little changes to his base line set up and finished fourth in the feature event. The McClure racer expects added improvement as he adapts to a new car.
My conversation with Tim Wilson led to the pros and cons of safety in dirt track racing. It seems that for some improvements we were both able to find drawbacks to changes made. We took a minute to discuss Clauson’s death. Wilson reminded me of something we should all remember this week: “It was just a bad racing crash. How many people have thought to keep in mind not only Clauson and family but the guy that hit him? That crash took Clauson’s life. He has to feel bad and there was nothing he could do about it. He stuck Clauson’s car in the cockpit area.”
Tim Wilson is right. Ryan Greth is a popular Midwestern sprint car and midget driver. It was Greth who struck Clauson’s car. A lot of messages of concern have gone out for the Clauson family as they should. Let’s also keep Ryan Greth in our thoughts and prayers.
Port Royal Speedway is dark this evening. The Juniata County oval returns to action next Saturday night.
But Selinsgrove Speedway has a busy night of racing tonight. The 410 sprint cars return along with late models, pro stocks and roadrunners. There’s make up events for the pro stocks and roadrunner class. Late model fans take note – this evening’s program is the fifth of six Route 35 Late Model Challenge events involving cars from Port Royal and Selinsgrove.
It’s the fourth 410 sprint car visit of five planned this year. The final 410 appearance will be Sept. 17 for the 34th annual Jim Nace Memorial National Open.
Lincoln Speedway honors fallen firefighters in memory of Brandon Little this evening.
Hesston Speedway also is dark this evening.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to appear at the Lewistown Wal-Mart on Aug. 31. There will be a two-hour signing session from 4 to 6 p.m. Prior to that, Earnhardt will do a limited meet and greet session with about 200 persons. There will also be a question and answer session. Keep in mind, those plans could change.
Until next time, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.