IndyCar Issues Statement On Death Of Bryan Clauson

IndyCar is mourning the loss of three-time Indianapolis 500 driver Bryan Clauson, who died Sunday from injuries sustained in a USAC race.

Bryan Clauson passed away Sunday after being involved in a crash during Saturday night’s Bellevue Nationals midget race, and now the Verizon IndyCar Series is remembering the 27-year-old who drove in three Indianapolis 500’s.

Below is the statement released Monday by Mark Miles, the CEO of IndyCar’s parent company Hulman and Co., regarding Clauson:

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"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.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."

Clauson was a native of Noblesville, Indiana and began his IndyCar career as an Indy Lights driver for what was then Sam Schmidt Motorsports in the 2011 season.

He ran six Indy Lights races in 2011 while sharing an SSM car with current IndyCar rookie Conor Daly and another two for Fan Force United in 2012, with his best finish in the developmental league coming when he reached the podium as the third-place finisher at Iowa in 2011.

Clauson’s IndyCar career consisted of three Indianapolis 500’s. He drove for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing in 2012, then for Jonathan Byrd’s Racing in 2015 and again in the 100th running this May. 2016 gave him the best Indy 500 finish of his career – he came home 23rd.

He also was a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing from 2007 to 2008.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles also offered his remarks about Clauson:

"Bryan Clauson combined his passion and enthusiasm for grassroots racing with a God-given talent that made him the favorite 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. 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."

Clauson is survived by his parents, sister and fiancee, and a memorial service is being planned at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with details forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, fans can send donations to the USAC Benevolent Fund, either online or by mailing a check in the name of Bryan Clauson to USAC Benevolent Foundation, 124 E Northfield Drive, Suite F #129, Brownsburg, IN 46112.