Billy Carlson
Carlson, circa 1915
BornWilliam Henry Carlson
(1889-10-17)October 17, 1889
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 5, 1915(1915-07-05) (aged 25)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Champ Car career
18 races run over 3 years
First race1913 San Diego Race (San Diego)
Last race1915 Montamarathon Trophy (Tacoma)
First win1913 Point Loma Race (San Diego)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 6 0

William Henry Carlson (October 17, 1889 – July 5, 1915)[1] was an American racing driver. He was killed in an AAA National Championship race at Tacoma Speedway.[2]

Biography

Carlson began his career competing in races on the Pacific coast and was a comparative unknown before he started in the 500-mile classic at Indianapolis in 1914. He took ninth in the event and "immediately attained prominence on the gasoline circuit."[2]

Carlson was a member of the Maxwell team for two years in 1914 and 1915 after he was "discovered" by Ray Harroun, a Maxwell engineer. His most notable achievement after joining Maxwell was his world's non-stop record of 305 miles made at San Diego, California, in January 1915. He came in second to Barney Oldfield at Venice, California.[2]

Carlson sustained fatal injuries in the Montamarathon race at Tacoma Speedway on July 4, 1915, dying the following day.[3] Maxwell suspended their racing program for the remainder of the season; the team was disbanded and the automobiles were shipped back to the factory in Detroit.[2]

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

References

  1. ↑ "Motorsport Memorial - Billy Carlson". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Motor age, Volume 28, No. 2. The Trade Press Co., Chicago, Illinois - July 1915.
  3. ↑ "Auto Driver Dies. Billy Carlson Victim of Accident at Tacoma Speedway Races" (PDF). The New York Times. July 6, 1915. Retrieved 20 July 2012.


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