Bryan Clauson to run Indy 500?

**mcman7890** · 12-09-2011 11:59 PM

From Kyle Larson's twitter:

@BryanClauson to run the Indy 500 next year! Right on!!

Interesting.

**DannyB** · 12-10-2011 12:01 AM

If true, then it's good news. Now to sit back and watch the peanut gallery weigh in.

**indyfan19** · 12-10-2011 12:09 AM

from RM: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ndy-500-debut/

**penskefan4ever** · 12-10-2011 01:05 AM

From RM article:

Clauson, the overall USAC champion for the second straight year, will have $300,000 to help secure a car for the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

**Tree0404** · 12-10-2011 02:04 AM

If I'm taking guesses on who with I'm thinking:

Foyt2
D&R3
Panther2

or

SSM2

I'm thinking it might be awhile til there's full confirmation on this though

Like clauson since he's from right down the road in noblesville, but i really think one more full year of lights would be best for him.

He didn't light up the FIL like I thought he would last year.

Either way, I'll be rooting for him big time

**Ydawg** · 12-10-2011 03:02 AM

That's some great news! Next year will just be about getting in the show and getting
as many laps under his belt. Sprints to indycars is such an enormous transition.
While the sprint guys have more wheel-to-wheel close racing experience that the formula
guys - the difference in the formula is just huge. To be perfectly honest, the only driver
in the last 15 years that I've seen that was able just jump in an indycar and immediately
"go" was Tony Stewart. Even Billy Boat tore up some equipment and had an adjustment
period. Circa 1998 though when Tony and Billy were both in good indycar rides - man
that was fun to watch.

**BizzyV** · 12-10-2011 04:01 AM

Stoked to see this.

I think with enough ovals on the schedule to warrant it, "oval only" teams and drivers competing for the AJ foyt trophy could be a great thing for the series' general awareness, especially with the whole USAC crowd. Hope Bryan's fans tune in to this. Great story too, about going back to the roots. And I can only hope that it encourages more guys to go this route so that Indy is once again relevant in these circles.

I don't follows the USAC crowd much, can anyone realistically compare his popularity to someone who is in the series now? eg: how many people who didn't care before will actually tune in?

**RS2** · 12-10-2011 05:02 AM

So, I heard this guys name bantered around here but know nothing of him. What has he done?

**Racing Steward** · 12-10-2011 05:26 AM

I hate to be the one to say it but Clauson was less than impressive in his Lights races this season. Yes he's a talent and maybe he just needs more time but lots of rookies win in Indy Lights and Clauson was driving for SSM who was significantly stronger than the rest of the field, Daly won a race in his same ride and should have won 1-2 more. I mean I dont know how I can defend him here. The facts are stacked against him. Clauson just didnt really do anything and was against a weak field. Unlike many on TF, im objective and just because Clauson is a young talented american doesnt mean im going to make excuses for him. Im going to evaluate him just like i would evaluate gustavo yacoman. They are racing drivers. Thats all i see. I dont look at nationality like many on this forum do (especially Todd Gack).

Clauson isnt ready for big cars yet. He needs more Lights. If I were him, and all he wants to do is the 500: then take the scholarship and run Lights ovals again and improve. If he wants to be an Indycar driver on a full time basis, then run the Lights R-S and start learning that type of racing. SSM should be working to put him in one of his Lights cars full time.

Sorry if this heated some of you on TF, im just being honest. Im not saying Clauson isnt talented, clearly he is and is a proven winner as his resume proves that which is more than some wanna-be indycar drivers can say (Pippa, Kimball, Plowman, Yacaman). Im just saying he isnt ready for Indycars yet, he hasnt shown he can even win Lights races yet driving for by the far and away the best team and against a 10 or 11 scrubs (Minus Newgarden and maybe Wilson and Dempsey). He hasnt even shown he can lead laps and challenge for the lead yet. Im just stating the facts. Nothing against Clauson. He's a proven talent and I want to see him in Indycar, but when he's ready and he clearly has not been able to appropriately adjust YET. Needs more time.

**kevin99** · 12-10-2011 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by roach

Maybe this will help.

BINGO!

**Dez1013** · 12-10-2011 09:07 AM

Put him in a Panther car and he'll probably have a damn good shot of winning the 500. Now that would be huge! American that comes from running sprints, midgets, and SC cars to win the 500. Hell yeah!

**BSJracing** · 12-10-2011 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by roach

Maybe this will help.

The sarcasm is uncalled for, I think he asked a legitimate question, some of us, believe it or not are fans without knowing everyone in the minors...

**doitagain** · 12-10-2011 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by BSJracing

The sarcasm is uncalled for, I think he asked a legitimate question, some of us, believe it or not are fans without knowing everyone in the minors...

But then again, is googling "Bryan Clauson" so hard? Sometimes elementary, easily-googled questions just derail thread unnecessarily, reducing the value of the thread for many. We don't need to merely copy-and-paste Clauson's accomplishments into the thread, do we, with the internet at our fingertips?

But the links are appreciated

Now, if the purpose of asking the question was just to diminish the perceived notoriety of the driver and by association the oval racing background in general, then don't be so coy - just say it, and we can whisk that discussion off to the Racing Biz or Series Direction forums.

Most people here have probably not heard of most non-IndyCar, non-NASCAR drivers, so a simple prelimninary Google search doesn't seem too much to require, if you're interested in the discussion. This of course can and does go both ways, such as when formula-trained drivers are mentioned.

**RS2** · 12-10-2011 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by doitagain

Now, if the purpose of asking the question was just to diminish the perceived notoriety of the driver and by association the oval racing background in general, then don't be so coy - just say it,

No, no. It was just a simple request for more info. Jeeeze, I go out of my way to answer peoples questions here when I have the time and know a bit about the subject in question.

**WillMazeo** · 12-10-2011 09:43 AM

Good news!
And some people still insist to talk bad about RB.

**rocket5612** · 12-10-2011 09:49 AM

My guess is Curb will be supporting his effort. Who is Curb aligned with now? Didn't they co-own Wheldon's Indy entry last year?

**BretEarl** · 12-10-2011 10:38 AM

WillMazeo, their is nothing wrong with critical thinking and criticism of Bernard.Constant and over the top because one has a agenda is different.LOL. Same goes the other way with creating these teflon men where nothing sticks like Tony Cotman.For the record I like both men but that doesnt mean their immune to criticism.

**vigo003** · 12-10-2011 10:38 AM

Really exicting news personally. So much so that I'm just going to ignore the USAC bashers and the doesn't move the needle crowd that is about to invade this thread.

**martyrothrules** · 12-10-2011 10:40 AM

Really cool news!

I know he had talked about running a partial Lights/Star Mazda schedule as well, hopefully we will get some news about that soon as well.

**WillMazeo** · 12-10-2011 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by BretEarl

WillMazeo, their is nothing wrong with critical thinking and criticism of Bernard.Constant and over the top because one has a agenda is different.LOL. Same goes the other way with creating these teflon men where nothing sticks like Tony Cotman.For the record I like both men but that doesnt mean their immune to criticism.

Not talking about the "normal" criticism. Is that so hard to notice? -.-"

**skypigeon** · 12-10-2011 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Racing Steward

I hate to be the one to say it but Clauson was less than impressive in his Lights races this season. Yes he's a talent and maybe he just needs more time but lots of rookies win in Indy Lights and Clauson was driving for SSM who was significantly stronger than the rest of the field, Daly won a race in his same ride and should have won 1-2 more. I mean I dont know how I can defend him here. The facts are stacked against him. Clauson just didnt really do anything and was against a weak field. Unlike many on TF, im objective and just because Clauson is a young talented american doesnt mean im going to make excuses for him. Im going to evaluate him just like i would evaluate gustavo yacoman. They are racing drivers. Thats all i see. I dont look at nationality like many on this forum do (especially Todd Gack).

Clauson isnt ready for big cars yet. He needs more Lights. If I were him, and all he wants to do is the 500: then take the scholarship and run Lights ovals again and improve. If he wants to be an Indycar driver on a full time basis, then run the Lights R-S and start learning that type of racing. SSM should be working to put him in one of his Lights cars full time.

Sorry if this heated some of you on TF, im just being honest. Im not saying Clauson isnt talented, clearly he is and is a proven winner as his resume proves that which is more than some wanna-be indycar drivers can say (Pippa, Kimball, Plowman, Yacaman). Im just saying he isnt ready for Indycars yet, he hasnt shown he can even win Lights races yet driving for by the far and away the best team and against a 10 or 11 scrubs (Minus Newgarden and maybe Wilson and Dempsey). He hasnt even shown he can lead laps and challenge for the lead yet. Im just stating the facts. Nothing against Clauson. He's a proven talent and I want to see him in Indycar, but when he's ready and he clearly has not been able to appropriately adjust YET. Needs more time.

You may be right. Fascinating thing about auto racing, though--the skill sets of the "minors" don't always predict how one will perform in the "majors." Different cars, different skill sets; even between so-called "feeder" series. Team owners aren't looking so much for victories or "competitiveness" as they are signs of ability to drive their cars in anger and bring them home in the front in one piece. Ideally, anyway.

Of course, you could be basing everything you say on what I just wrote, so...

**Game Bred** · 12-10-2011 10:50 AM

Go Hoosiers

**cheeseczar** · 12-10-2011 11:04 AM

Shouldn't this read: Clausen will attempt to qualify for the 500?

**Mr. Bean** · 12-10-2011 11:05 AM

I'm not going to really judge his lights effort. Most ovals they run on are flat since they are smaller cars on a giant oval, and not very reflective of the driver really. All lights did was get him used to the speed of a big oval in an open wheel car. Can't wait to see what he can do in an Indycar. If that goes well, hope to see him race the other ovals too.

**9rows** · 12-10-2011 11:11 AM

I can't imagine how excited he must be. What a dream come true. Best of luck.

**flyfishin** · 12-10-2011 11:47 AM

can't be worse than jj yeley

**Darth Airbox** · 12-10-2011 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by 9rows

I can't imagine how excited he must be. What a dream come true. Best of luck.

In reality his dream is probably Daytona

Per his interview on Trackside and other discussions, while its not 100%, it looks like he had the option of doing more Lights ovals or Indy, seems like a simple choice for next year to me.

**honesty** · 12-10-2011 12:01 PM

Glad to see this. Bryan's a good young driver and if he (like mentioned before in this thread) got the second Panther car at Indy he'd be with one of the best teams in Gasoline Alley come May.

**BSJracing** · 12-10-2011 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by doitagain

But then again, is googling "Bryan Clauson" so hard? Sometimes elementary, easily-googled questions just derail thread unnecessarily, reducing the value of the thread for many. We don't need to merely copy-and-paste Clauson's accomplishments into the thread, do we, with the internet at our fingertips?

.

Then what is the real point of a racing forum if we want either the PR piece from the non-biased Clauson website or info from the ever so accurate Wikipedia....