Family: Bryan Clauson's organs were donated to five people
Bryan Clauson’s family said five people were able to benefit from Clauson’s organs following the driver’s death Sunday evening.
Clauson, 27, died a day after he was injured in a sprint car crash in Belleview, Kansas. Clauson’s car flipped multiple times and was struck while it was upside down on the ground. Clauson was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, after the crash.
His family revealed it found out about his registration as an organ donor while waiting at the hospital.
One of the gifts that Bryan gave us while we sat next to him praying for some good news, was the moment we found out that he was an organ donor. It shouldn’t have surprised us. All of us have felt Bryan’s generosity throughout his life. The gift of life is the most amazing gesture and Bryan will live on not only through us and all the people he touched along the way, but from the lucky individuals that will benefit from Bryan making a decision to be a donor.
It was not lost on our family as we sat huddled around him, holding his hands, comforting him and each other, saying our last goodbye that five families were also sitting in a hospital room somewhere, comforting their loved one and each other while praying for a miracle that Bryan ultimately delivered for them. We are so proud of our Bryan for making this decision.
The Nebraska Organ Recovery team made the entire process very comforting. Their compassion, love, and respect when treating Bryan did not go unnoticed. We want to acknowledge every member of the Nebraska Organ Recovery team. Thank you for loving our Bryan.
Clauson competed in the Xfinity Series in 2007 and 2008 and made three Indianapolis 500 starts, including racing in the previous two 500s.
Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a friend of Clauson’s, will drive Clauson’s car as a tribute to lead the field as the honorary pace car before Thursday night’s Knoxville Nationals sprint car races. Clauson was scheduled to compete at Knoxville.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!