Dirt Track, Indy 500 Driver Bryan Clauson Dies

By Mike Perleberg Bryan Clauson won the USAC Indiana Sprint Week feature at Lawrenceburg Speedway on July 10, 2016. He died Sunday night following a mid-race crash in Kansas. Photo by Tim Thomas. (Lincoln, Neb.) - Race car driver Bryan Clauson has died following a violent crash on a dirt track in Kansas on Saturday night. Clauson's family made the announcement Monday morning that the 27-year-old passed away Sunday night at a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Clauson was racing in the Belleville Nationals midget race when his car flipped several times. "Our Bryan fought to the end with the same desire that he demonstrated behind the wheel of all the various racecars he would park in Victory Lane. However, we were more proud of our Bryan that took a moment to make a young fan's day, or demonstrated his uncommon kindness and appreciation toward his friends, family and fans," his family said in a statement. The Noblesville, Indiana native was considered one of the nation's top short-track dirt-car drivers and made starts in the Indianapolis 500. This year, he finished a career-best 23rd in the Indy 500 and led his first laps in the race. Clauson had just recently won at Lawrenceburg Speedway. He took first place  in the USAC Indiana Sprint Week race at The 'Burg on Sunday, July 10. The victory was his 111th career USAC-sanctioned feature victory, moving him into the top-five on the all-time list alongside some of the giants of the sport.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please see below. pic.twitter.com/G9rc3HZjZj

Sending our Thoughts & Prayers out to Bryan Clauson and his family. Praying for a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/lQMDafQbON