Teenager Leaving His Mark on Sprint Car Series
Fifteen-year-old Tyler Clem has returned to racing after a two-month break. The break was due to injuries sustained in an USAC Sprint Car crash during Speedweeks.
Clem took his Bubba Army No. 14 K&N Filters/J&J Sprint Car to victory lane on back-to-back nights during the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) Speed Xplosion at Bubba Raceway Park.
“It’s been eating me alive to not get to race for the past two months, but I knew I had to listen to my doctors and follow their orders,” Clem said. “When I got the approval to resume racing I was beyond excited. Then to go and win my first two races is just an incredible feeling. Thanks to my family, my team, my sponsors, and all of my fans for helping make this happen.”
Tyler Clem returned to action in the opening round of the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour double-header at the 3/8-mile oval at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida.
In a field of 24 cars, Clem landed a runner-up finish behind Johnny Gilbertson in his heat race, locking his spot in the opening night feature. Rolling off second on the grid, Tyler took control of the lead early in the finale, cruising to his first win of the season. Danny Martin Jr., Danny Smith, Mark Ruel Jr., and Jordan Mallett rounded out the Top-5 finishers.
On Saturday evening for the second round of the USCS Speed Xplosion, a fourth-place finish in his heat race transferred Tyler into the main event. Earning the ninth-starting position for the finale, Tyler began working his way forward in the pack as soon as the green flag dropped.
He ultimately passed Johnny Gilbertson for the lead on lap 24 and paced the field for the final six circuits en route to capturing his second win of the season and a $2,000 prize.
Eric Riggins Jr., Gilbertson, Mark Ruel Jr., and Mallett completed the Top-5 finishers in that 30-lap event.
For full results from these events, visit USCSRacing.com.
Tyler’s next races will occur on April 27-28, when he will enter a pair of NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series events in the Big Frog Motorsports No. 58 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama.
For more information on the events, visit NeSmithRacing.com.
