By Dick Jordan
Bryan Clauson enhanced his chances at repeating as USAC’s National Driving Champion Sunday night at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisc., winning the 30-lap USAC Mopar National Midget race at the one-third mile dirt oval.
Clauson’s victory boosted him to within just 10 points of Darren Hagen in his bid to repeat as USAC’s Mopar National Midget Champion as the series prepares for races September 2 and 3 at LaSalle, Ill and Sun Prairie, Wisc. respectively.
Clauson, of Noblesville, Ind., led all but the first two laps to win Sunday night’s 30-lapper n his NOS Energy/Curb Records Beast/Esslinger Ford. Clauson passed Caleb Armstrong on lap three and was never again headed as he beat fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr., Brad Kuhn, Kyle Larson and Hagen to the checkered flag.
Larson’s finish kept him close in the points race, just 24 behind Hagen.
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Darren Hagen-826; 2-Bryan Clauson-816; 3-Kyle Larson-802; 4-Tracy Hines-706; 5-Bobby East-660; 6-Caleb Armstrong-582; 7-Zach Daum-542; 8-Brad Kuhn-499; 9-Tanner Swanson-491; 10-Jerry Coons Jr.-439.