Clauson finishes close second in 30th Chili Bowl

Bryan Clauson

Bryan Clauson nearly claimed the biggest win of his planned 200-race "Circular Insanity Tour" in 2016.

A night after claiming his fourth preliminary night win in the Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night on Jan. 15, Clauson finished second to Rico Abreu in the 30th Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals finale on Jan. 16 in Tulsa, Okla.

Clauson, who won the 2014 Chili Bowl and will attempt to qualify for his third Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May with Dale Coyne/Jonathan Byrd's Racing, started the 50-lap feature from the pole and inherited the lead on Lap 9 after Christopher Bell tangled with a lapped car.

The Noblesville, Ind., native built a huge lead until finding traffic near the race's midway point. His lead gone, Clauson was locked in a three-way battle with Abreu and Zach Daum. Abreu was able to take advantage of a late restart and made the pass for the lead with 10 laps to go. Clauson battled Daum for second and closed on Abreu, but was unable to win his second Golden Driller trophy.

CFH Racing team co-owner Sarah Fisher's night ended with a sixth-place finish in the second I-Main feature, while Indy Lights veteran Kyle O'Gara – Fisher's brother-in-law and SFH Racing Development teammate – made it to the H-Main before his night ended.