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DODGE CITY —
For Bryan Clauson, he started the 2011 United States Auto Club MOPAR Midgets’ racing season the same he ended the last one — on top.
With two races in Dodge City over the weekend, Clauson took first place in both.
“It was a great start to the year for us,” Clauson said. “We ended with a win on turkey night last year to secure the championship and we came out firing this year to defend our title. Anytime you can come out to a hot start, it is helpful in the long run. We kind of carried momentum over, and they gave me a great race car all night.”
Clauson, a Nobelsville, Ind., native, won a total of six races to win the championship in 2010.
On Saturday night, it seemed as if Clauson was an expert at Dodge City Raceway Park, knowing the grooves in and out, going around the turns with ease and knowing how to come out as a winner. But before Friday night, Clauson had never raced in Dodge City.
“It was a lot of fun,” Clauson said about his experience in Dodge City. “Obviously we won, so I don’t have to much bad to say about it. With features on both nights, the track really widened out and we were able to use multiple grooves to make our way to the front. It was a big fast joint. It was a lot of fun to race on and it was a blast out there.”
Clauson started Saturday’s race in the middle of the pack, but he worked his way up to second place in 19 laps. He started chasing Gary Taylor who led the entire way up to that point. At the start of the 22nd lap, Clauson passed Taylor on the straightaway, going into turn one.
“This place was really racy and really fast all weekend long,” Clauson said. “It really took shape for both features over the past two nights. It was a lot of fun coming out to Dodge City and running. Fortunately we were able to bring home two wins.”
Clauson led the rest of the way, in a relatively smooth 40-lap race, which only featured a couple of cautions.
In the 33rd lap, Kyle Larson lost control and his No. 67 car flipped on its side. Larson was able to get out of the car uninjured.
Once Clauson took first, this was the only event that delayed him from the win.
“Anytime you win a title, there is no way to go but down,” Clauson said. “So you have to stay on top of your game. Not get complacent with where you are at. We did a lot of work this offseason. There were a couple rule changes and we did our homework and made sure we came to Dodge City loaded from there.”
Modifieds
For anybody who frequently watched the races a year ago, Saturday’s result in the modifieds’ race should come at no surprise.
Troy Gemmill took first place like he has done so many times before.
Starting in sixth place, Gemmill moved into second with 13 laps to go out of a caution.
A lap later, and Gemmill was in first, passing Kenny Sweet on turn two.
Six laps later, and Gemmill had a solid lead and started to lap the competition, before eventually taking first.
For Bryan Clauson, he started the 2011 United States Auto Club MOPAR Midgets’ racing season the same he ended the last one — on top.
With two races in Dodge City over the weekend, Clauson took first place in both.
“It was a great start to the year for us,” Clauson said. “We ended with a win on turkey night last year to secure the championship and we came out firing this year to defend our title. Anytime you can come out to a hot start, it is helpful in the long run. We kind of carried momentum over, and they gave me a great race car all night.”
Clauson, a Nobelsville, Ind., native, won a total of six races to win the championship in 2010.
On Saturday night, it seemed as if Clauson was an expert at Dodge City Raceway Park, knowing the grooves in and out, going around the turns with ease and knowing how to come out as a winner. But before Friday night, Clauson had never raced in Dodge City.
“It was a lot of fun,” Clauson said about his experience in Dodge City. “Obviously we won, so I don’t have to much bad to say about it. With features on both nights, the track really widened out and we were able to use multiple grooves to make our way to the front. It was a big fast joint. It was a lot of fun to race on and it was a blast out there.”
Clauson started Saturday’s race in the middle of the pack, but he worked his way up to second place in 19 laps. He started chasing Gary Taylor who led the entire way up to that point. At the start of the 22nd lap, Clauson passed Taylor on the straightaway, going into turn one.
“This place was really racy and really fast all weekend long,” Clauson said. “It really took shape for both features over the past two nights. It was a lot of fun coming out to Dodge City and running. Fortunately we were able to bring home two wins.”
Clauson led the rest of the way, in a relatively smooth 40-lap race, which only featured a couple of cautions.
In the 33rd lap, Kyle Larson lost control and his No. 67 car flipped on its side. Larson was able to get out of the car uninjured.
Once Clauson took first, this was the only event that delayed him from the win.
“Anytime you win a title, there is no way to go but down,” Clauson said. “So you have to stay on top of your game. Not get complacent with where you are at. We did a lot of work this offseason. There were a couple rule changes and we did our homework and made sure we came to Dodge City loaded from there.”
Modifieds
For anybody who frequently watched the races a year ago, Saturday’s result in the modifieds’ race should come at no surprise.
Troy Gemmill took first place like he has done so many times before.
Starting in sixth place, Gemmill moved into second with 13 laps to go out of a caution.
A lap later, and Gemmill was in first, passing Kenny Sweet on turn two.
Six laps later, and Gemmill had a solid lead and started to lap the competition, before eventually taking first.
Dodge City Raceway Park
Duel in Dodge City
Midgets
Saturday
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Bobby East, 3. Brady Bacon, 4. Gary Taylor, 5. Kody Swanson, 6. Darren
Hagen, 7. Brad Kuhn, 8. Jerry Coons Jr., 9. Caleb Armstrong, 10. Kyle Larson, 11. Tanner Swanson, 12. Levi Roberts,
13. Keith Rauch, 14. Tracy Hines, 15. Zach Daum, 16. Tony Rossi, 17. Chris Deshon, 18. Dalton Armstrong, 19. Chett
Gehrke, 20. C.J. Johnson, 21. Patrick Stasa, 22. Cody Brewer. NT
Friday
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Bobby East, 3. Brady Bacon, 4. Darren Hagen, 5. Gary Taylor, 6. Jerry
Coons Jr., 7. Levi Roberts, 8. Brad Kuhn, 9. Zach Daum, 10. Kody Swanson, 11. Mario Clouser, 12. C.J. Johnson, 13.
Tanner Swanson, 14. Keith Rauch, 15. Chris Deshon, 16. Jimmy Simpson, 17. Dalton Armstrong, 18. Tony Rossi, 19.
Kyle Larson, 20. Chett Gehrke, 21. Caleb Armstrong, 22. Tracy Hines. NT
