Sprint car driver Bryan Clauson, who died Sunday night following injuries incurred during a sprint race, helped better the lives of five people because he was an organ donor, his family announced Wednesday.
Clauson crashed Saturday night during a U.S. Auto Club (USAC) midget car race at the Belleville High Banks, a half-mile dirt track in Belleville, Kansas, and was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was pronounced dead late Sunday.
Known for his skill in many forms of motorsports, Clauson made 26 career starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
The family’s full statement is below.
Additionally, NASCAR announced Wednesday it would honor Clauson with a decal on the NASCAR XFINITY Series cars this weekend at Mid-Ohio.
To honor the life of Bryan Clauson, NASCAR will make this decal available for XFINITY Series teams in Mid-Ohio. pic.twitter.com/Iu29gSOUvu
— NASCAR (@NASCAR)
August 10, 2016
“We would all like to thank you for all of your prayers and concerns over the last few days. It provided strength and comfort during a very difficult time for us.
Nothing prepares you for these moments. We have all watched from afar as other families have had to face their own tragedies or been there to support our family and friends as they have spent their own time in the hospital. However, nothing makes you ready to say goodbye. You take each moment as it comes and we could not have made it to this point with out all of you.
One of the gifts that Bryan gave us while we sat next to him praying for some good news, was the moment we found out that he was an organ donor. It shouldn’t have surprised us. All of us have felt Bryan’s generosity throughout his life. The gift of life is the most amazing gesture and Bryan will live on not only through us and all the people he touched along the way, but from the lucky individuals that will benefit from Bryan making a decision to be a donor.
It was not lost on our family as we sat huddled around him, holding his hands, comforting him and each other, saying our last goodbye that five families were also sitting in a hospital room somewhere, comforting their loved one and each other while praying for a miracle that Bryan ultimately delivered for them. We are so proud of our Bryan for making this decision.
The Nebraska Organ Recovery team made the entire process very comforting. Their compassion, love, and respect when treating Bryan did not go unnoticed. We want to acknowledge every member of the Nebraska Organ Recovery team. Thank you for loving our Bryan.
If you are a donor, thank you. If you are not, please consider for a moment becoming one. We have seen first hand how amazing it feels on both sides of the coin. It is the greatest gift that one person can give another. We promise.
Again, thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and friendship. We look forward to seeing you at the races.
Lauren, Tim, Di, Taylor”