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April 24, 1999
Clouser On The Move Early this month, I had the opportunity to visit Thunder Cross Motorsports
Park in Okeechobee, FL. The fans, the track, and even that part of the
state were all new me. There was one name that sounded familiar: Rich
Clouser.
Last year, Clouser dominated the bomber division at New Smyrna Speedway and
Orlando Speedworld. For the now sixteen year old driver, winning was almost
a weekly occurrence. I personally saw Rich win both the heat race and the
feature on the same night several times. All this on his way to track
championships at Orlando and New Smyrna as well as the combined track points
championship. Towards the end of the season, Rich pulled double duty by
also trying his hand in the Sportsman division.
Along the way, Rich was even able to defeat his father Rich Clouser, Sr who
occasionally drove in the Bomber class. For the Clouser's, cars and racing
are a family affair. Father Rich operates Clouser Automotive in Melbourne.
The family has five race cars at their home. Rich's older sister Melissa
owns one of the bomber cars and now runs on a regular basis at Orlando.
The Clousers have one secret for finding extra speed on the track: time in
the shop. In addition to racing up to two nights a week, they will spend
about four nights a week priming their cars for battle in the next race.
This year, Rich is not running for championships. He is running to gain
seat time and experience on different tracks, both asphalt and dirt. They
are also looking for more sponsorship. Sponsors take note: this kid is
taking off! A future career in racing is not out of the question. Rich has
the skills.
The Clousers have been running most Saturday nights at St Augustine
Speedway. This April night, they headed for Okeechobee because of the
Hooters race at St Augustine. Rich is having fun on the red clay surface
there. Driving on dirt is more challenging than asphalt as the track
changes more quickly, sometimes even during the course of a feature race.
Rich has caught on well in his short time there. He won a bomber race
earlier this year.
On this warm night, Rich would not be so lucky. He spun early in his heat
race dropping him to the back of the field. Undaunted, Rich worked himself
back up to a respectable fifth place finish. In the feature, Rich dropped
back to the tail of the field early in the feature. A true charger, he
battled his way back into the top 10 during the time shortened race.
So, the next time you are at the races in East Central Florida, look for a
blue number 8 bomber or sportsman. Introduce yourself to the fastest family
from Brevard. And if you're driving in Melbourne and see Rich pull up next
to you at a stoplight, you might beat him off the line in his small four
cylinder street car. But on the track, you won't stand a chance.
Good luck this year Rich!
John Matthews
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