By Dick Jordan
Defending two-time AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Champion Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. will continue his pursuit of a third consecutive series championship when the series resumes April 5 at the Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway. Clauson won last September’s race at the 3/8-mile dirt oval.
Clauson hopes to join Steve Butler, Robbie Stanley and Levi Jones as drivers who have strung together three straight titles. He enters the Lawrenceburg race with a four-point lead over 2013 series runner-up Dave Darland after winning Saturday night’s “Winter Dirt Games V” finale at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.
Clauson trailed Justin Grant for the first 22 laps, then led the final eight circuits in his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing Chevy Performance Beast/Kistler. Grant took second ahead of Chase Stockon, Darland and Robert Ballou.
Clauson finished seventh in Thursday night’s Ocala opener behind race winner Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla. Bacon passed Tracy Hines on lap 18 and led the rest of the 30-lap race in the Mean Green/Lykins Oil Triple X/Stanton Mopar to give car owner Dynamics, Inc. its all-time record 83rd series feature victory. Hines led 16 laps and finished second ahead of Darland, Shane Cottle and Stockon.
Darland, who led a lap on Thursday, celebrated his all-time USAC record 1,000th National feature start and was presented an Oakley Watch by USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller.
Bacon was Thursday’s Pro Source fastest qualifier and Kody Swanson paced Pro Source qualifying on Saturday. Each fast qualifying record was worth a $200 bonus from Pro Source. Friday’s races were rained out.
2014 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Standings: 1-Bryan Clauson-125; 2-Dave Darland-121; 3-Chase Stockon-118; 4-Tracy Hines-117; 5-Justin Grant-114; 6-Brady Bacon-111; 7-Shane Cottle-106; 8-Jon Stanbrough-87; 9-Chris Windom-84; 10-Robert Ballou-74.