Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Bryan Clauson were good friends on and off the track, so when news hit of Clauson’s death earlier this month, Stenhouse knew what to do.
Clauson was supposed to race in the Knoxville Nationals last weekend, but Stenhouse drove his car instead. What he’s doing this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, though, might be just as cool.
Before Clauson became an eight-time USAC champion across numerous divisions, Clauson was looking to prove himself driving the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing. Fastenal has since joined Roush Fenway Racing, the team Stenhouse drives for.
Things just came together, and Stenhouse is paying tribute to his fallen friend.
The car is based on Clauson’s 2008 Xfinity Series ride, in which he earned the pole award for a race at Daytona International Speedway.
“It will be a huge honor to run the same Fastenal scheme that Bryan raced in 2008,” Stenhouse said, via Roush Fenway. “This past week has been difficult for many but it has been great to see the racing community join together to support Bryan’s family, friends and Lauren. Bryan was one of my best friends and hopefully we can ‘parked it’ in victory lane on Saturday for Bryan.”
Clauson’s death was a heartbreaking loss for the entire racing community, but perhaps Stenhouse can actually “parked it” after all. Stenhouse is extremely good at Bristol, nearly winning both races in 2014, scoring a second-place and sixth-place finish, respectively.
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Thumbnail photo via NASCAR Media
