Kyle Larson honors Bryan Clauson with a heartfelt two-day racing event set for May 8-9 at Kokomo Speedway, aiming to both celebrate Clauson’s legacy and promote lifesaving organ donation. The tribute, led by High Limit Racing and driven by passion and respect, promises to bring together the racing community in North Carolina and Indiana to remember an icon whose spirit still shapes the sport.
A Decade Since His Passing: Remembering Bryan Clauson
Ten years after the tragic loss of sprint racing legend Bryan Clauson, his influence remains deeply felt in the world of motorsports. Kyle Larson and fellow racers have made it a priority to ensure Clauson’s remarkable achievements and commitment to the sport are never forgotten. Over the years, NASCAR drivers, team owners, and staff have honored fallen colleagues, but Clauson’s story holds a special place due to his prolific dirt racing career and the lasting mark he left on those around him.
Kyle Larson and High Limit Racing Launch Memorial Event
The upcoming Bryan Clauson Hero Classic at Kokomo Speedway is the centerpiece of Larson’s tribute, jointly organized with Brad Sweet and High Limit Racing. The two-day event on May 8 and 9 is set to be an emotional commemoration of Clauson’s extraordinary dirt racing career, which included more than 100 USAC victories and ten USAC championships. Notably, Clauson also clinched a non-wing sprint car win at Kokomo Speedway, the venue described by friends and family as his favorite and a cherished home for the Clausons.
“It’s important to us that Bryan Clauson’s life & legacy is never forgotten. On May 8-9, we’re teaming with @Driven2Save to continue honoring him & promoting organ donation with a two-day High Limit race at BC’s favorite place, @KokomoSpeedway,”
High Limit Racing posted recently—punctuating their commitment to the dual mission of remembrance and social good.
Spotlighting Organ Donation: Bryan Clauson’s Lasting Impact
The memorial is not just about honoring success on the track; the event will also highlight the importance and impact of organ donation. Following Bryan Clauson’s passing in a midget car crash in Kansas, he became a posthumous donor, saving five lives and inspiring nearly 4,000 individuals to register as organ donors in the month after his death. Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives, in collaboration with High Limit Racing, will celebrate donor heroes over the weekend, reinforcing how one person’s selfless choice can ripple through countless lives and families.
Tim Clauson, Bryan’s father, shared his thoughts in the run-up to the anniversary:
“It’s hard to believe it’s going to be 10 years since the loss of Bryan,”
Tim Clauson said.
“Getting to remember Bryan and to celebrate, not only his decision to be a donor hero, but also celebrate 10 years of saving lives, through the Driven2SaveLives program, is special. Bryan’s sprint car career started at Kokomo Speedway. And this track became home not only to Bryan but also to our family.”
— Tim Clauson, Bryan’s father
He continued:
“We’re looking forward to honoring and celebrating with the racing community. We welcome everyone to Bryan’s ‘place of worship’ for the inaugural Driven2SaveLives Bryan Clauson Hero Classic at Kokomo Speedway.”
— Tim Clauson, Bryan’s father
These statements underscore the deep emotional connection, not just between racing and remembrance, but also with the broader community committed to making a difference through organ donation.
Kyle Larson’s Ongoing Dedication and New Endeavors
Kyle Larson’s respect for Bryan Clauson has long been evident. In August 2016, just weeks after Clauson’s passing, Larson claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Michigan, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Rather than focusing solely on his achievement, Larson chose to dedicate his winning moment to his lost friend, a testament to the enduring friendship and mutual admiration between the two drivers.
Looking ahead, Larson is balancing his commitment to honoring Clauson’s memory with continued professional growth. Recently, Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairperson of Hendrick Motorsports and a 15-time Cup Series champion, announced a significant collaboration between Hendrick Motorsports and Atrium Health: a new 35,000-square-foot Motorsports Athletic Center will soon open on the HMS campus in Concord.
“The demands of NASCAR are different from any other sport. The schedule is relentless, the margins are extremely tight, and performance is about preparation as much as it is execution,”
Jeff Gordon explained.
“This new facility allows our coaches and staff to work side by side with Atrium Health clinicians, ensuring every aspect of training, recovery, and readiness is aligned. Everything in this space is designed around our athletes and our teammates.”
— Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairperson
The facility will feature a
“high-performance gym with the latest training equipment, modern locker rooms, a team operations center for race-day competition operations, a nutrition area, athletic meeting and film rooms, and dedicated spaces for physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and recovery.”
— Announcement details
This partnership signals a new chapter for Larson and the Hendrick Motorsports team, providing top-level support to athletes as they pursue further milestones in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kyle Larson’s enthusiasm for the new facility was clear, as he humorously referenced the announcement by saying he would no longer need a traditional gym membership.
Anticipation Builds for the Bryan Clauson Hero Classic
With preparations intensifying for the two-day event at Kokomo Speedway, the racing community is rallying behind both the spirit of competition and the cause of organ donation. Kyle Larson, Brad Sweet, High Limit Racing, and the entire Clauson family are devoted to ensuring that the Bryan Clauson Hero Classic is a meaningful celebration filled with nostalgia and hope. As organ donor heroes are recognized and honored, fans and drivers alike will unite at a track dearly loved by Bryan Clauson and his family—a fitting tribute to a racer who inspired so many.
This event stands not only as a remembrance of a fallen friend but also as an active force driving positive change, as more people become aware of the profound significance of organ donation. The legacy of Bryan Clauson, kept vibrant through the compassion of friends like Kyle Larson and the energy of the racing world, continues to inspire and save lives—each lap and each tribute serving as a reminder of what one person’s choices can mean for many.
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