TheLegacy
Bryan William Carnett · 1960 – 2015.
Bryan Carnett was a Placerville man his whole life. He went to El Dorado High School and grew up to run his father's business, Carnett Chimney Sweep. Above all, he loved anything with a big engine and wheels. Motorcycles, semi-trucks, race cars, it did not matter. The bigger, faster, and louder, the better.
That love brought him to Placerville Speedway, where he raced, owned, and sponsored cars for over a decade. Along the way he picked up a tight group of friends he called his racing family.
Everybody who knew him has a story, and usually it is one that made them laugh. He could talk to anyone, and more often than not he left the room in tears laughing. He knew cars inside and out, and he would give you the shirt off his back without thinking twice. When we started racing, our number was 14J, the J for Jesus, and that faith was part of who he was.
Away from the track he was a husband to Wynne and a dad. He coached his son's Little League team, pulled for the Niners and the Giants, and loved getting the family out to Hawaii and on farther trips to Mexico, Italy, and Greece.
On October 18, 2015, after a short, hard fight, Bryan went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by his family. He was taken far too soon.
So every year we bring the cars back to Placerville and race in his name. Anyone is welcome, and everyone who shows up is part of it. It is a night to cheer your driver, grab a hot dog and a beer, and remember one of the best friends a lot of us were lucky to have. That is the legacy. That is the Clash.
Through the Years
How it grew2016. The first one.
It started with 71 cars and a simple idea: put on a night of racing worthy of Bryan's name. Ryan McDaniel took the first Late Model win, and the Clash was born.
The name takes hold.
By 2018 it was the Carnett Clash, the third straight running, and the stock car regulars started circling it on the calendar as the one they wanted.
Back and bigger.
After a year away, the Clash came back in 2021 with 94 cars in the pits and real money on the line, a $2,500 top prize for the Late Models. Bobby Hogge, one of the biggest names in California dirt racing, showed up and took it.
The high-water mark.
2022 packed a season-high 104 cars into the pits. What started as one night for one man had become one of the biggest stock car races of the year.
Still going.
Every year, the Late Models and Pure Stocks load up and come to Placerville to race in Bryan's name. It grows because the people who loved him keep making it grow.
The Crew
The Clash keeps going because of three people who were close to Bryan and honor his memory every year.
Ted Ahart and Russ Murphy were two of his closest friends. Forryst is his son. Together they keep his night alive.
Memories
Stories of Bryan, told by those who knew himWhen we lost him, this is what people said. Not one of them had to reach for it.
Bryan, you are going to be truly missed by so many. You were such a great husband and father, a man who worked so hard and was dedicated to his family. Thanks for being such a great example to me and everyone else around you. Your smile, your laugh, and your positive attitude were an outward reflection of a man with a great heart, a man who was selfless. You leave behind a great legacy, and I am a better man for knowing you and having you as an influence growing up. It's our great loss today, but I celebrate knowing you are in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Give my dad a hug for me. Praying for Wynne, Forryst, Doug, and the family.
Sean KingMan, so much to say. Feels like yesterday when me, Ted, and Bryan were up at Fernley raising hell. Bryan, I learned so much from you. I can speak for everyone, we all loved seeing you at or on the track every Saturday night. It's hard to think that you're gone now. The day I got into a racecar for the first time, you said something to me that I will never forget. You told me, "There are a lot of people who think you're making a fool of yourself, but I believe in you, so go out there and drive your heart out and give them hell." I'll always remember that, so now it's my turn, Bryan. I know you're up in heaven racing on God's dirt now, and all I have to say is give them hell up there.
TJ JensenMy good friend Bryan lost his battle this morning to cancer, and I will miss him with all my heart. From our years in high school and cruising Placerville, to driving truck together at Van's Paving, to building and tuning Forryst's race cars at Mickey's shop and at the racetrack, and of course our last adventure going to Oregon to bring his new chimney sweep truck home, we had a lot of good times. This was a man who never took and always gave. He was like a brother to me. My prayers are with the family. I'll always love you, my brother. Rest in peace. I'll see you again.
Joe WahlLost a great friend to cancer today. Bryan was loved and respected by everyone who knew him and a main fixture every weekend at the races. He stopped by my shop almost daily to check on us and was indispensable with his knowledge of the cars. He was there for everyone at the track, helping Russ Murphy, Ted Ahart, and many others. We will all miss him, but I know that everywhere we go to race, he will be with us.
Jared MizeToday I miss my uncle. I don't really talk about it, because I don't want to believe I lost a man who had such a huge part of my life growing up. I will never feel his hug or see his laugh, or listen to him get excited about racing, or hear him tell me how Doug and Forryst are doing. He is having a day of celebration, and I wish I could be there to talk about who this man really was, how big his heart was, how he lit up when it came to family, friends, sports, and racing. So today I want to tell you, uncle Bryan, that I love you, and I have loved you since July 19, 1981, and every day after that.
Steven Reeves JrBryan, you will forever be missed. We will all cherish your teachings, wisdom, and knowledge, and the way you had an open mind and heart. Love you, my friend. I will miss hanging out with you and having a great time. You will always be in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Brendon MillerWe lost an amazing friend today. You brought so much joy and laughter to all those around you. You were an awesome dad, husband, and dear friend. I am so blessed to have had you call me your friend for the past 35 years, to have been part of your family. I'm so sad that I won't be able to talk, goof off, joke, and laugh with you again. You will be so truly missed and forever loved. Heaven is even more beautiful now that you are there.
Peggy ReevesTo all that knew Bryan, they know that he never said no and tried to help everyone. I had the blessing to know him, and I just want to say he was a real friend, and he will be truly missed. I have plenty of memories, and not one negative. So until we meet again, my friend, I love you.
Brian StevensRest in peace, Bryan. You will be greatly missed. It won't ever be the same at the track. We will all miss our racing talks with you. You were a good man who was always there for all your friends and family. Helping out on the race cars was greatly appreciated. Prayers to the Carnett family.
Kayla Nunez-SotoMy kids always called you uncle Bryan. We were family, related by marriage. You helped Danielle so much with her race car. We will miss you a lot and will always remember the good times. Godspeed, Bryan.
Pamela DunnDespite all the things that went on with my family and yours, you always took me, and anyone, under your wing, and for that I cherish you, Bryan. You will always be remembered through me. Love you, Bryan. Godspeed, my friend.
Brandon O'RourkeGod bless you, Bryan. Another good man taken by cancer. Thank you for all that you did for our family and the racing community. May you rest in peace. My heart goes out to the family.
CJ Giusti-TilfordShare a Memory
Have a story about Bryan? We'd love to hear it and add it to the wall. Send it our way. A proper submission form is coming soon.