Clauson-Marshall Racing Names Driver Line-up For USAC Championship Run
Press Release By: CLAUSON-MARSHALL RACING MEDIA
Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. –March 15, 2017- Clauson-Marshall Racing officials have named Tyler Courtney, Shane Golobic and Justin Grant as the three drivers that will chase the USAC National Midget Series championship for the team.
Courtney and Grant both picked off preliminary feature wins at this January’s Chili Bowl Nationals and all three finished among the top 15 in the finale.
The USAC National Midget Series season begins with the second annual Shamrock Classic at DuQuoin’s Southern Illinois Center on Saturday night.
“I am really proud of the lineup we have assembled for our inaugural season,” team co-owner Tim Clauson said. “While our original plan was to run a two-car team for the championship with Tyler and Shane, the opportunity to add Justin was one we just couldn’t pass up.
“All three of the drivers have won in our cars, and now to have a team that will allow them the chance to compete for a championship is very exciting. All three drivers are professional race car drivers and the type of people we want our development drivers to look up to.”
Courtney is no stranger to the team, having worked with the Clauson’s in the past to earn his first shot at midget racing several years ago. Courtney will pilot the Driven2SaveLives No. 7bc.
“I’m really excited for this season and to contend for my first national midget championship,” Courtney said. “We have a solid group of guys with a lot of momentum on our side from the winter season that hopefully transfers into this season. It’s gonna be a great year with two really good teammates and one really solid team.”
A winner of both sprint Car and midget races under the tutelage of Tim Clauson and last year’s Inaugural Shamrock Classic in a car prepared by Clauson and Tyler Ransbottom, California’s Shane Golobic will take the wheel of the Matt Wood Racing/Clauson-Marshall Racing Elk Grove Ford No. 17w.
“I am excited and thankful for a full season behind the wheel of the Matt Wood Racing/Clauson Marshall 17w,” Golobic said. “I enjoy racing with Matt, Tim, Tyler, and the rest of the CMR team and I have no doubt that we will be very successful in 2017.”
The partnership with Matt Wood Racing carries over from the Chili Bowl.
“To me, this team should be called ‘We loved Bryan Racing’,” Matt Wood said. “I’ve never met a person that impacted my life the way Bryan did.
“I’m honored to have an opportunity to represent Bryan and be affiliated with the Driven2SaveLives campaign. This USAC midget season will be the best ever. It’s no secret that the road to the USAC Midget championship goes through Keith Kunz Racing. With this lineup of drivers and the talent of Tim Clauson, I predict next year it goes thru CMR/MWR,” Wood said.
Filling out the Clauson-Marshall Racing USAC Midget stable is Justin Grant, a California native like who led the CMR team at the Chili Bowl with a fifth-place finish in the finale. Grant will wheel the CMR No. 39bc.
“The addition of a driver like Justin, whose passion for the sport is second to none and who really came through for us at this year’s Chili Bowl, was really an opportunity we had to make happen,” Clauson said. “I know how hard Justin has worked and sacrificed to earn his opportunities over the years. To be in a position to reward that hard work and passion is really what this team is all about.”
Grant is ready for the opportunity to pursue the USAC Midget crown.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to compete for the 2017 USAC National Midget championship with the Clauson-Marshall Racing team,” Grant said. “Between Tim Clauson’s dedication and knowledge and the Marshalls’ commitment to this team and our sport as a whole, I couldn’t ask for better people to work with.
“Having a seat in the 39BC midget will provide me not only a chance to race for wins and a championship title, but also an opportunity to learn from a great team and talented teammates both on and off the race track,” Grant says. “Clauson-Marshall Racing is highly professional, as well as very family oriented and I am honored to be a part of it as we chase wins, a championship and hope to honor Bryan’s memory.”
Richard Marshall is eager to see the CMR team take to the track.
“After seeing the teamwork displayed by these guys at this year’s Chili Bowl, I could not be more excited to keep it going for the 2017 USAC championship campaign,” Marshall said. “These three drivers are winners on and off the track. They carry themselves in a way that would make Bryan proud and consequently will be great mentors for Clauson-Marshall Development drivers. I can’t wait to get to the track.”
