Sprint car driver Bryan Clauson died Sunday, Aug. 7, from injuries sustained during a crash Saturday night at Belleville High Banks Speedway in Bellevile Kansas. He was 27.
According to ESPN, Clauson was leading the Belleville Midget Nationals when his car climbed the guard rail in turns three and four. The vehicle flipped then stopped on the track before it was hit by a car driven by Ryan Gerth. Clauson was transported to Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska where he died from his injuries.
The Clauson family confirmed his death in a statement on Monday.
"Last night, the 7th of August, we said goodbye to our son, my fiancé, our friend, Bryan Clauson," the statement read. "He was surrounded by family and friends and we were grateful that we could experience his final moments with him. 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 he took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans."
Clauson, who was from Noblesville, Indiana, started racing two days after his 16th birthday. He won more than 170 USAC races, was a three-time USAC national champion in midgets and won two USAC National Sprint Car titles. He competed in three Indianapolis 500s with a best finish of 23rd, which came this year. Clauson competed in 26 NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 2007 to 2008 for Chip Ganassi and had a best finish of fifth.
NASCAR and IndyCar drivers reacted to the news of his death via Twitter.