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IndyCar driver Bryan Clauson dies from injuries sustained in crash

Drivers, fans react to 27-year-old Clauson's death
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BELLEVILLE, Kan. — IndyCar driver Bryan Clauson died Monday after sustaining injuries in a crash during a race on Saturday.

His family issued a statement through Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was read Monday morning in a press conference by IMS President Doug Boles.

They said goodbye late Sunday night, but said Clauson fought until the very end. 

Clauson was 27 years old and a native of Noblesville, Indiana.

Clauson sustained fatal injuries during a crash Saturday night in the 39th annual Belleville Nationals when his car hit a guard rail and flipped several times. His car then spun back into the flow of traffic and he was violently struck by another driver.

It took about 30 minutes to get Clauson out of the car. He was airlifted to Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln, NE.

Clauson has three starts in the Indy 500 and was well known on the Midget car scene. He won USAC titles in 2010, 2011, and 2015.

Clauson was considered the nation's top short-track dirt-car driver. He won four USAC national championships and was participating in his 116th race of the season on Saturday night.

His schedule this year was on pace for 200 starts, and that included a 23rd-place finish in the Indianapolis 500.

Clauson had been in a crash at the same track the night before, his last tweets thanked the safety crews for keeping him safe.

An outpouring of support has come via Twitter, with IndyCar drivers, friends and fans are asking for prayers for Clauson.