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Topic: Do you have a favorite BC memory or story to share?
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August 08, 2016 at
08:47:43 AM
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At times like these, with the swirling range of emotions and feelings, I've found it to be helpful to take a trip down memory lane and relive some memories of the good times.
It may not necessarily help make sense out of current events, but for me, a moment of reflection can help me appreciate what we have in others.
If you have a BC story you'd like to share with the racing community, feel free to do so here.
I guess mine would be when BC came down to compete in the Cowtown Midget Championships in 2009.
We grabbed some pics of him and chatted for a while...
...shot a 1 minute interview for the throngs of Cowtown fans to help pump up the event...
https://youtu.be/2xMvbc3v2IA
And we held a pre-race autograph session that was a huge hit with the Cowtown fans...and BC and JJ Yeley did an amazing job 'wowing' the fans.
But this picture pretty much summarizes what racing is supposed to be all about.
Just look at the expression on this fan's face after the moment he met BC:
These are the memories of BC I'll carry with me, and share with others - as this was the impact he left on others that met him.
Oh ya, then there was the actual racing...
After blowing a tire late in the feature on qualifying night, he would find redemption on championsship night...
BC was 100% a winner on - and off - the track, and anyone that was lucky enough to meet him was proud to know him.
I hope that this small story of one blip in time in his racing career and life helps remind us all that we are all in this together. Be kind towards each other - and strive to keep making positive, lasting memories.
May his family come to find peace at this difficult time.
And here's the post-race story from this event, as one more lasting memory:
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Bryan Clauson Masters Cowtown Midget Championships
2/15/09, DarinShort.com. Indiana’s Bryan Clauson made the long tow to the D/FW Metroplex pay off Saturday night, in the tune of $3,000, by picking up the City Vending Cowtown Midget Championships presented by Smiley’s Racing Products at Cowtown Speedway.
After a heartbreaking flat tire while leading the closing laps of the Friday night feature event, Clauson held off a determined J.J. Yeley for the win.
Bryan commented after the race that a couple of more laps he felt Yeley would have pressured him much harder, as the two cars were becoming very equally matched.
Due to an all-time track record 253 cars converging upon the ¼ mile speed plant, the Saturday schedule was moved up about an hour, which resulted in an abbreviated pre-race autograph session with Yeley and Clauson that was previously planned. With a 4pm start time, the entire midget program was completed before 7pm.
Both Yeley and Clauson thrilled the fans with their candor and approachability by giving fans a second autograph session after the race. The drivers spoke one-on-one, signed everything from apparel, dollar bills, people’s arms and whatever else the throngs of fans requested for about 45 minutes.
You can catch both teams next weekend at the Copper on Dirt USAC sanctioned event next weekend at Phoenix’s Manzanita Speedway.
Cowtown Speedway would like to thank the fans, teams, sponsors and track workers for all pulling together to make this inaugural event a success, and are looking forward to building it into the future.
Here is the finishing order of the midget A-feature: (39b) Bryan Clauson, (1) J.J. Yeley, (99) Brady Bacon, (36) Jonathan Beason, (05) Brad Loyet, (11a) Andrew Felkr, (93) Bryan Harvey, (12c) Rick England, (7m) Kevin Ramey, (11x) Ricky Williams, (1c) Chad McDaniel, (96) Cody Brewer, (8)Murray Erickson, (81) Jerry Hammock, (1w) Paul White, (10p)Will Pierce, (91) Kevin Bayer, (7) Joe Boyles, (11p) Todd Plemons, (11j) Justin Melton, (15d) Andrew Deal, (6) Rafe Essary, (35) Matt Sherrell, (39) Brandon Mollar.
Complete results are posted on the track website, please click www.CowtownSpeedway.com for all of the details. And a page has been built containing several pictures, video clips and more; just click www.darinshort.com/midget.html to view them.
Next up at Cowtown Speedway is the season opener on March 14, featuring the Sprint Series of Texas and the LSDCC.com dwarf cars.
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August 09, 2016 at
01:38:38 PM
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7617
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Reply to:
Posted By: dmantx on August 08 2016 at 08:47:43 AM
At times like these, with the swirling range of emotions and feelings, I've found it to be helpful to take a trip down memory lane and relive some memories of the good times.
It may not necessarily help make sense out of current events, but for me, a moment of reflection can help me appreciate what we have in others.
If you have a BC story you'd like to share with the racing community, feel free to do so here.
I guess mine would be when BC came down to compete in the Cowtown Midget Championships in 2009.
We grabbed some pics of him and chatted for a while...
...shot a 1 minute interview for the throngs of Cowtown fans to help pump up the event...
https://youtu.be/2xMvbc3v2IA
And we held a pre-race autograph session that was a huge hit with the Cowtown fans...and BC and JJ Yeley did an amazing job 'wowing' the fans.
But this picture pretty much summarizes what racing is supposed to be all about.
Just look at the expression on this fan's face after the moment he met BC:
These are the memories of BC I'll carry with me, and share with others - as this was the impact he left on others that met him.
Oh ya, then there was the actual racing...
After blowing a tire late in the feature on qualifying night, he would find redemption on championsship night...
BC was 100% a winner on - and off - the track, and anyone that was lucky enough to meet him was proud to know him.
I hope that this small story of one blip in time in his racing career and life helps remind us all that we are all in this together. Be kind towards each other - and strive to keep making positive, lasting memories.
May his family come to find peace at this difficult time.
And here's the post-race story from this event, as one more lasting memory:
----------------
Bryan Clauson Masters Cowtown Midget Championships
2/15/09, DarinShort.com. Indiana’s Bryan Clauson made the long tow to the D/FW Metroplex pay off Saturday night, in the tune of $3,000, by picking up the City Vending Cowtown Midget Championships presented by Smiley’s Racing Products at Cowtown Speedway.
After a heartbreaking flat tire while leading the closing laps of the Friday night feature event, Clauson held off a determined J.J. Yeley for the win.
Bryan commented after the race that a couple of more laps he felt Yeley would have pressured him much harder, as the two cars were becoming very equally matched.
Due to an all-time track record 253 cars converging upon the ¼ mile speed plant, the Saturday schedule was moved up about an hour, which resulted in an abbreviated pre-race autograph session with Yeley and Clauson that was previously planned. With a 4pm start time, the entire midget program was completed before 7pm.
Both Yeley and Clauson thrilled the fans with their candor and approachability by giving fans a second autograph session after the race. The drivers spoke one-on-one, signed everything from apparel, dollar bills, people’s arms and whatever else the throngs of fans requested for about 45 minutes.
You can catch both teams next weekend at the Copper on Dirt USAC sanctioned event next weekend at Phoenix’s Manzanita Speedway.
Cowtown Speedway would like to thank the fans, teams, sponsors and track workers for all pulling together to make this inaugural event a success, and are looking forward to building it into the future.
Here is the finishing order of the midget A-feature: (39b) Bryan Clauson, (1) J.J. Yeley, (99) Brady Bacon, (36) Jonathan Beason, (05) Brad Loyet, (11a) Andrew Felkr, (93) Bryan Harvey, (12c) Rick England, (7m) Kevin Ramey, (11x) Ricky Williams, (1c) Chad McDaniel, (96) Cody Brewer, (8)Murray Erickson, (81) Jerry Hammock, (1w) Paul White, (10p)Will Pierce, (91) Kevin Bayer, (7) Joe Boyles, (11p) Todd Plemons, (11j) Justin Melton, (15d) Andrew Deal, (6) Rafe Essary, (35) Matt Sherrell, (39) Brandon Mollar.
Complete results are posted on the track website, please click www.CowtownSpeedway.com for all of the details. And a page has been built containing several pictures, video clips and more; just click www.darinshort.com/midget.html to view them.
Next up at Cowtown Speedway is the season opener on March 14, featuring the Sprint Series of Texas and the LSDCC.com dwarf cars.
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I had the pleasure of seeing 2 very impressive BC feats this past year alone: (A) Winning Oval Nationals at Perris Cal. after driving all nite to Phoenix & back to pick up a new engine (B) winning Indiana Midget Week against dominant Keith Kunz fleet, despite no wins. I think he finished 2nd or 3 almost every race.
Attempting 200 races was a Herculean feat, & he went down like a hero in one of those epic Greek tragedies. I remember his lovely fiance telling me about his plans 2 years ago at Cocopah.
I only spoke to him briefly a few times to congratulate him in the pits, but he always seemed like a friendly guy, with a big smile on his face no matter what the circumstances
RIP Bryan, & my condolences to his family & loved ones
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August 09, 2016 at
08:06:07 PM
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For me personally, it absolutely would have to be Rico jumping into Bryan's arms at the Chili Bowl. The smile on Bryan's face while doing it after being passed by that very person, shows you the kind of person Bryan truly was.
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August 09, 2016 at
09:47:36 PM
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12/01/2004
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1913
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The First Encounter
I recall my first real encounter with BC. It was at the Ron Shuman Classic at the Lakeside Speedway in 2008. I had known of BC but hadn't meet him personally at that time.
I was assisting Lakeside promoter Marc Olson in anything he needed me to do. That August night I ran around the track with a wireless microphone doing pit area and on-track interviews.
For the Shuman Classic, Olson always had the cars line up on the front stretch for driver introductions. I dont recall why there was a question as to who was going to introduce the drivers to the fans but there was. I wasnt in the original plans to do it. However, it became an issue as to whether it would it be done by the announcers upstairs or me.
I was on the front straight with the cars & drivers when I found out this issue was popping up. Tommie Estes was the race director and he radioed up stairs that I should do it since I knew the drivers better. He then told me it was my gig to do and lets get started. Since the cars were already in place, I had to prep my mindset asap.
I started at the back and worked my way up to the front. Along the way I interviewed a couple of drivers for the fans. One of the drivers I stopped to chat with was Jessie Hockett. Had to interview Hockett as the fans adored him at Lakeside and I knew that.
Everything was clicking very well and I worked my way to the front row. BC was on the pole that night. When it was time to introduce BC as the Ron Shuman Classic pole starter, I dont know why, but my brain went numb and I couldnt spit out his name. Im like... Really? Now? The last driver? Darn it.
I started to mutter BC's sponsors over the PA somewhat as I tried in vain to know who I was about to introduce and BC sensed I was struggling. We were standing side by side and BC, with his head down, shuffling his feet on the track and with a WIDE grin on his face leaned over a few inches and bailed me out by whispering "Bryan Clauson". I then belted out BRYAN CLAUSON as if I had known it the whole time.
Ever since that moment in the summer of 2008, BC and and I would chuckle about that time when it was brought up. We weren't golfing buddies nor did we hang out at the clubs, mainly because Im old enough to be his father, but BC and I did have that racing bond that was evident when we spent time chatting racing when we crossed paths.
Going to miss those encounters when I travel around to his stomping grounds and when Chili Bowl comes to town. If Im deemed lucky that I got to know BC besides watching his craft through a chain link fence, then call me lucky.
Maybe BC, Hockett, Jason Leffler and Donnie Ray Crawford are testing out the tracks above. If they are, the best racing is the racing we arent able to see.
God Speed BC - You Are A Special Man
John Lemon
Tulsa OK
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August 10, 2016 at
10:21:45 AM
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After coming from the back at the Grove in the champ car with the right rear wheel cover bent like a pretzle from slamming the cushion, Bryan saying he probably should have driven it just a little harder. After it was over that night, my dad said something this cool will probably never happen again..............
Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?
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August 10, 2016 at
10:26:55 AM
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A couple years ago in Ocala, dad called me up after watching the race on the Internet talking about how awesome Bryan Clauson was. I just happened to be standing next to him and handed my phone to Clauson and they had a five minute conversation. Afterwards, I asked to buy a hat from him. He didn't have any made yet since it was the beginning of the season. So he took his off, signed it, and I gave it to dad the next day... He's going to be missed.
Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's
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August 10, 2016 at
04:17:57 PM
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No Story just a pic I took when he raced during Fred Rahmers Party At The Path during PA Speedweek. it was an honor to get to see him race here in Pa for a good many shows and a few differnt divisions.
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August 10, 2016 at
04:26:52 PM
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No Story just a pic I took when he raced during Fred Rahmers Party At The Path during PA Speedweek. it was an honor to get to see him race here in Pa for a good many shows and a few differnt divisions. the Silver Crown race At Williams Grove will stick in my head for a long time. He was over a straight away cloes to 1/4 mile behind the leaeder with a little over 30 laps to go. my dad said this race is over. I looked at him and said. Clauson is gaining on him a tiny bit each lap. i said if it go green till the end he has a shot. lap after lap he got closer and closer. He finialy was able to make a mover for the lead by throwing a massive sider. He could've pushed it and wrecked the guy or pinched the leader. No he baked off and made a clean race out of it. What an impressive run.
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August 10, 2016 at
05:28:11 PM
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yeah, i would like to share story of bryan`s kindness, thru one of our knoxville bound cancer benefits, with the help of bryan, and his dad, they set up a back door tour of ganassi`s racing shop, bryan heard about our benefit from his dad, and between the both of them, and bryans busy schedule, they set up a tour of a life time for a young man named chase, who was battling cancer,and by back door tour, that means we saw stuff the public would never see,we went thru the whole facility, then bryan took us thru the engine building room, and, if that was`nt enough!, we were treated to a trip inside the dyno room, where they were running one of their engines, bryan asked the tech to run it up to speed! the look on young chase`s face was priceless, and that was all possible,because bryan took the time to help a kid that needed a little good in his life, god bless you! and prayers to the family
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August 10, 2016 at
08:38:42 PM
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This message was edited on
August 10, 2016 at
08:40:30 PM by sonoranrat
Bryan designated his organs be made available for others if he should pass. Reports are circulating five individuals benefitted from his actions.
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August 11, 2016 at
08:49:29 AM
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Mine would have to be his USAC debut at Limaland in June of 2005. There was a lot of hype surrounding BC that spring & summer, and I wasn't sure he was going to live up to it but he did, finishing 3rd after battling for the lead in his first USAC race.
He out foxed a lot of veterans that night by patiently running the bottom.
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