Tributes have started flowing immediately following the death of Bryan Clauson, one of the most talented drivers in oval racing today.
Clauson succumbed to injuries from an accident Saturday night at the Belleville Nationals. He was listed in critical condition on Sunday per a family statement before news was released this morning that he’d died on Sunday night.
Statements from INDYCAR, IMS and USAC are below, followed by the first wave of what will likely be a plethora of tribute tweets (NASCAR community ones here).
“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 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,” 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.”
“It is with extreme sadness that we must accept this devastating news,” said USAC CEO/President Kevin Miller. “This is one of the darkest days in the history of the United States Auto Club. Not only have we lost one of our greatest USAC Champions, we have lost a true ambassador for all of motorsports. Bryan’s passion for our sport was unparalleled. He was a leader not only on the track, but in the pits with his fellow competitors. There is a tremendous hole in the hearts of our community today as we grieve his loss along with his family and friends.”
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Godspeed, Bryan Clauson
— USAC Racing (@USACNation) August 8, 2016
June 15, 1989 - August 7, 2016https://t.co/Ese6iWrgxR pic.twitter.com/wGnuAWQgaK
Checkered flag on a life well lived.
— BYRD Racing (@ByrdRacing) August 8, 2016
Thank you BC.
Godspeed our friend. https://t.co/tWmyXNutIs
Thank you for all your prayers. Please see below. pic.twitter.com/G9rc3HZjZj
— Bryan Clauson Racing (@BryanClausonInc) August 8, 2016
Dad, I'll love you forever. Thank you for your snuggles, unconditional love, and countless trips to victory lane! pic.twitter.com/6LoCiQQTWI
— Chevy Clauson (@ChevyClauson) August 8, 2016
Statement from Dale Coyne regarding the loss of @BryanClauson pic.twitter.com/FuVZ51FAMp
— Dale Coyne Racing (@DaleCoyneRacing) August 8, 2016
Our sport has lost an incredible person. A winner more times than most of us will ever be. It was a true honor to be your teammate, Bryan.
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) August 8, 2016
I can only hope to make the @ByrdRacing black and green look as good as you did. We will miss you brother #RIPBC pic.twitter.com/P0UouB9Tzy
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) August 8, 2016
Dear @BryanClauson, I am so thankful I got to be your team mate this May. I loved working with you, I couldn't wait to do it again. #BC
— Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) August 8, 2016
I am so glad I got to come and watch you race on your home turf, I am so thankful I got to know you well enough to call you my friend. #BC
— Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) August 8, 2016
I am so heartbroken for your family, Lauren, your closest friends. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't heartbroken for me too. #BC
— Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) August 8, 2016
— RICO (@Rico_Abreu) August 8, 2016
There aren't enough competitors in our sport like @BryanClauson and now there's one less. RIP my friend.
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksTH) August 8, 2016
No words to describe how sad the racing community is this morning. RIP @BryanClauson
— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) August 8, 2016
Please pray for Lauren and all of @bryanclauson family. BC, we will be honoring you by doing what we love today. pic.twitter.com/IqKsKqMEIE
— Ed Carpenter (@edcarpenter20) August 8, 2016
No words...RIP Bryan...@BryanClauson pic.twitter.com/Ab40YMWJxf
— Mikhail Aleshin (@mikhailaleshin) August 8, 2016
Really saddened by the passing of Bryan Clausen. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
— Will Power (@12WillPower) August 8, 2016
RIP BC. Man had endless talent, but more importantly was a heck of a good guy, a caring individual & carried himself w/ class and dignity!
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) August 8, 2016
Honoured to have had the chance to race against @BryanClauson. Gutted I won't get to again. Thinking of Lauren and his family.
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) August 8, 2016
Sad news about @BryanClauson this morning. RIP my friend. Please pray for him and his family.
— Juan Pablo Montoya (@jpmontoya) August 8, 2016
So sad to hear the passing of our friend @BryanClauson . sending prayers to him , Lauren his Fiancee and his family. We ll miss you.
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) August 8, 2016
Thinking about Bryan and his family. He was truly a wonderful person, and one hell of racer.
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) August 8, 2016
Heard the news of @BryanClauson passing as I drove into IMS. So incredibly sad. Spending the day behind the wheel, where he'd want to be....
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) August 8, 2016
Really Sad news this morning
— Carlos Munoz (@CarlosMunoz034) August 8, 2016
RIP @BryanClauson
Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Otra triste noticia
QEPD @BryanClauson
Extremely sad to hear about @BryanClauson passing away. The racing world lost another great driver. Thinking of his family. #RIPBryanClauson
— Spencer Pigot (@SpencerPigot) August 8, 2016
Thinking of @BryanClauson & his family right now. Raced & talked with him only a few times but his passion for racing and life were obvious.
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) August 8, 2016
Those looking to donate to the Clauson family can do so at https://t.co/gHwwl3ju2x #RIPBryanClauson you will be missed.
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) August 8, 2016
Legit in shock. RIP @BryanClauson. You will be missed and you were an amazing wheel man. Fly high.
— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) August 8, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and especially his fiancé. It's rare to find someone with a heart as big as his.
— Zach Veach (@ZachVeach) August 8, 2016
Our heart goes out to the family & friends of @BryanClauson. He will be missed dearly by IMS and the racing family. pic.twitter.com/VRuON5pS4G
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) August 8, 2016
I will miss u MY FRIEND @BryanClauson my love and prayer with your family RIP pic.twitter.com/SpnfbtUAIy
— Max Papis (@maxpapis) August 8, 2016
Race fans have been put through hell in past five years with losses of Dan Wheldon, Justin Wilson and now Bryan Clauson. #RIP
— Curt Cavin (@curtcavin) August 8, 2016
Versatile. Talented. Humble. Kind.
— Nick Yeoman (@NYeoman) August 8, 2016
We've lost one of the greatest @USACNation talents. Devastating #RIPBryanClauson pic.twitter.com/W5bzBUXPBG
Bryan Clauson's rise into the Indy 500 personifies the spirit of the event.
— Jake Query (@jakequery) August 8, 2016
His humility & immense talent were gifts to the sport. Godspeed
Again, my favorite Bryan Clauson stat:
— Jake Query (@jakequery) August 8, 2016
He's the only driver to lead the Indy 500 and win a sprint car feature race on the same day.
EVER.
Gutted...@BryanClauson #GodSpeed
— Michael Young (@trackdude500) August 8, 2016
He took part in 115 races in his goal to 200 this year. Won 27 of them. No one loved the sport more than BC. pic.twitter.com/EF6783nhjs
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) August 8, 2016
Ugh. Gutted. #RaceInPeaceBryanClauson
— Rob Howden (@RobHowden) August 8, 2016
As good as @BryanClauson was behind the wheel, he was 1000000 times the person. Gutted doesn't fully cover how I feel right now.
— Arni Sribhen (@neckthai) August 8, 2016
Praying for the Clauson family and the family of his fiancee, Lauren. #BCStrong #GodspeedBC
— Arni Sribhen (@neckthai) August 8, 2016
Everyone at Team Penske sends out condolences to the friends, family and fellow racers of @BryanClauson. A great racer that will be missed.
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) August 8, 2016
Bryan Clauson was a true competitor and will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Clauson family, Lauren and our entire racing community.
— Andretti Autosport (@FollowAndretti) August 8, 2016
Our hearts are heavy after hearing of the loss of a true racer. We’re thinking of family and friends of Bryan Clauson today - Godspeed, BC.
— Ed Carpenter Racing (@ECRIndy) August 8, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of racer Bryan Clauson. He was an excellent ambassador for Motorsports.
— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) August 8, 2016
Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Bryan Clauson and the entire racing community. Bryan will be sincerely missed.
— Bryan Herta Autosport (@BHA) August 8, 2016
Our hearts are heavy with the news of @BryanClauson's passing. Godspeed to him, and our thoughts & prayers are with his family.
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 8, 2016
We mourn the passing of one of the greatest racers and people of our time. Thoughts & condolences to the Clauson family. #RIP
— Firestone Racing (@FirestoneRacing) August 8, 2016
112 @USACNation wins. 3 Midget titles. 2 Sprint titles. 3 National titles. 3 Indy 500 starts. There was nothing Bryan Clauson couldn't do.
— Thomsen419 (@Thomsen419) August 8, 2016
When I think of Bryan Clauson, I think of his talent, his determination, his kindness and this...always on it.... pic.twitter.com/ac1ijg8Dae
— Thomsen419 (@Thomsen419) August 8, 2016
A throwback. Such an unbelievably versatile & badass talent behind the wheel of literally anything. One of a kind. pic.twitter.com/WbHOvcSMS3
— Mike Kitchel (@mikekitchel) August 8, 2016
I think it is kind of appropriate we have cars running @IMS today. Keep Bryan's family & fiancé in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/1odFpAP1w5
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) August 8, 2016
I asked @IMS team to make #BryanClauson decals. I just gave to @IndyCar teams testing today to run! & one on my car. pic.twitter.com/isqRPkHcgZ
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) August 8, 2016
So heart breaking to hear about Bryan Clauson. So talented. So young. Prayers for his family and fiancé.
— Marty Snider (@heymartysnider) August 8, 2016
Another dark day in the racing community, @BryanClausonInc was a champion in racing and in life. #RIPBryanClauson
— Rick Allen (@RickAllenracing) August 8, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the Clauson family. An incredibly rare talent and fine young man. RIP Bryan.
— Mike Massaro (@MikeMassaroTV) August 8, 2016
Horrible, Bryan was an incredible and TRUE racer. My heart and prayers go out to his family. https://t.co/z5PEpnp4QF
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) August 8, 2016
No words for the pain Motorsports family feels.Endless stories of BC's kindness, honored to experience it first hand pic.twitter.com/HmOaR3Wp52
— Katie Kiel (@katie_kiel) August 8, 2016
Motorsports family, please keep the family & friends of @BryanClauson in your thoughts. Rest in peace, friend 😔
— #IMSA (@IMSA) August 8, 2016
Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die....
— Christopher Wheeler (@thechriswheeler) August 8, 2016
Until we meet again. GodSpeed BC
Godspeed, Bryan. Words cannot begin to express what hole has been left in this sport. Thoughts and prayers to your family.
— Ashley Keller (@AshleyAKeller) August 8, 2016
I loved watching Bryan Clauson have a crack at the #Indy500 this year, amongst all his speedway racing. Sad loss to our game.
— Richard Craill (@Craillsy) August 8, 2016
I had tears of sadness for the @BryanClauson family. Prayers go out for peace and strength to get thru this time.
— Beth Boles (@bsmevents) August 8, 2016
Are there any words? The best of our time...& one of the good guys. Rest in peace BC.
— Shannon McIntosh (@SHANNON_MAC) August 8, 2016
#RIPBryanClauson Honored to have been a tiny part of this day...will miss you. @BryanClauson @USACNation @IMS pic.twitter.com/zOaImdmeNI
— Darren Hickey (@TheDarrenHickey) August 8, 2016
Wow very sad to hear about Bryan Clauson. We raced together in 2006-07. Awesome person. Real racer. Thoughts and prayers to the Clausons.
— Kevin Conway (@TheKevinConway) August 8, 2016
Sad news. RIP Bryan Clauson
— Joey Hand Racing (@JoeyHandRacing) August 8, 2016