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Clauson Hits The Streets In Long Beach With Indy On His Mind

Bryan Clauson is known for his dirt-track prowess and his ability to expertly excel in USAC circles involving midgets, sprint cars and the potent Silver Crown categories. For two years running, the Indiana-transplant has walked away with the USAC National Drivers Championship and the 2010 championship earned him a scholarship for the oval-track races in the Firestone Indy Lights series. His 2011 championship paid an even larger dividend, an opportunity to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

    Clauson shown beside the Toyota Scion he drove. [Joe Jennings Photo]


So far in 2011, the versatile driver has raced in midget and sprint-car competition and tested an IndyCar for the first time at the Texas Motor Speedway. Also, he received another prize – an invite to participate in the Toyota Pro/ Celebrity Race through the streets of Long Beach, Calif. Joining him in the high-profile race were other professional drivers along with film, television, music, sports and fashion figures. The drivers competed in race-ready Toyota Scion tCs.

“It was a no brainer for me to accept the invitation,” Clauson said prior to the race. “It has been fun to be with this group and the experience has been great. The pre-race training and the press practice day have given me several days to learn more about these cars. Although it has been a lot of work, it has also been a lot of fun.”

For Clauson, the Long Beach race was his first time on a road or street course. “The cars are slow compared to the cars I usually drive, so the transition has been somewhat of an easy one,” the well-spoken driver said. “I have learned a lot about rhythm and how to pick up a little bit here and there. Also, I learned how each corner sets you for the next one, which is a different kind of mentality.” He went on to say that he isn’t accustomed to shifting, other than what he did several years ago in a stock car but downshifting was a new experience for him.

To prepare for the celebrity event, Clauson and his fellow drivers were put through an intensive four-day instructional program at the Willow Springs Raceway. “It was a lot about listening to the instructors and as a professional racer, you pick it up quickly,” he said. “And it was fun to be with people who have been so successful in life. Everybody has been great to work with.”

Clauson races often on different types of tracks and surfaces, so it didn’t take him long to learn how to race the Toyota Scions. “I just listened to the instructors and applied the racing techniques that I knew. With the kind of racing I do, you have to be able to adapt quickly.”

In addition to the professional instructors, Clauson picked up quite a few tips from 2011 race winner and actor William Fichtner. Said Fichtner about his prot

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