It’s Clauson In USAC’s Nebraska Debut

by NSSN Staff

EAGLE, Neb. — Bryan Clauson picked up his fourth AMSOIL National Sprint Car win of the season in impressive fashion as he rode the rim of Eagle Raceway en route to the checkers in the first USAC Sprint Car race contested not only at the track but in the state of Nebraska.

Clauson backed up his Track Record run in qualifying early in the night by winning the 30-lap Feature in the Curb Records – R&B Trucker’s No. 7 Maxim/Fisher.

Dave Darland took off from the pole and guided his way around the tricky bottom line of the third-mile oval. As everyone searched for their own real estate, Clauson wasted no time in jumping to the top and working in a pronounced cushion around the high-banked track. Darland and Jon Stanbrough could only watch as Clauson pounded the cushion and flashed by to take the lead on lap 11 and never be challenged again.

After a caution just before halfway, Clauson ran off and hid while Kevin Thomas, Jr. jumped up top as well and, after he cleared traffic, moved to second quickly. He was no match for Clauson, however, as the 15th National Sprint Car win of his career came by a margin of 5.73 seconds.

“I saw rolling around that the bottom looked pretty decent. Luckily, everybody kinda dove for that and we had clear track up high. It took a bit to get it rolling, but we were really coming up high. This is just a really neat track. It was right up against the fence off turn-two and was tough getting into three just right, but it was fun to run up there,” Clauson said.

Thomas ripped off another podium finish in what is becoming his breakout season aboard the Black Jack Oil – Indy Metal Finishings No. 9K Spike/Kistler.

“I wasn’t totally comfortable to run the top at the beginning. I got shuffled back a couple spots, and after the caution I decided to go up there and stick with it. Our car was working great up there – (Crew Chief) Bubby Jones helped us with it over the phone tonight. The top here is just a blast to run,” Thomas said.

Stanbrough eventually came out on top of a battle with Darland that saw the lead slice and dice for the final podium spot. With his good run, Stanbrough’s National point lead grew slightly to 12 points in the Roberts/Tate Racing – Leer Racing No. 21x DRC/Speedway.

Dave Darland and Levi Jones rounded out the top five.

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Posted by NSSN Staff on Aug 4 2012 Filed under Latest Headlines, Sprints & Midgets, USAC. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.