Olson, 70, died Feb. 11 in Janesville, Wisconsin. He was a 23-time USAC National Midget feature winner.
Colin McConnellGetty Images
Kevin Olson, a two-time USAC National Midget Champion, was killed in a car crash on February 11 in Janesville, Wisconsin.
The head-on crash also critically injured wife Nancy, according to multiple reports. Olson, 70, had retired from racing in 2020, according to the Gazette, in Janesville.
The family released a statement via social media on Saturday:
On behalf of the entire Olson family, it is with our deepest sadness to report some devastating news at this time. Kevin Olson, our father and brother, and everybody’s friend, was killed on Friday night in a highway crash. His dear companion, Nancy, is in critical condition.
Most of Kevin’s friends knew him through racing; he was a two-time United States Auto Club National Midget champion, and a five-time champion with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association. But as proud as he was of those accomplishments, what made him happiest was his connection to family and friends, most of whom had probably come to believe that he was invincible.
Right now, we are just dealing with the shock of this news. Arrangements are pending and will be made available in the coming days. Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.
Olson, who resided in Evansville, Wisconsin, is a member of both the United States Auto Club (USAC) Hall of Fame and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He began his career on the national stage in a USAC National Midget race in 1972 at Springfield (Ill.) Speedway. His final national USAC National Midget race was 2014 at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Kevin Olson died Friday at age 70 in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Amazon
Our hearts are broken today,” said Chris Blair, executive vice president and general manger of World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. “The racing community lost a legend last night. Our friend Kevin Olson thrilled us on the track and made us laugh off the track. The entire Olson family is in our thoughts and prayers.”
In addition to the two National Midget championships, Olson is known for the incredible way in which he won the title in 1982. Driving for car owner Lee Carey, Olson became the first champion in series history to win the season points championship despite not winning a single feature race. He’s the only driver to win the national champion in the series before winning his first race.
Olson went on to win 23 USAC National Midget races in his career.
Our hearts are broken today. The racing community lost a legend last night. Our friend Kevin Olson thrilled us on the track and made us laugh off the track. The entire Olson family is in our thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/quFPDMJPtl
— WWT Raceway (@WWTRaceway) February 12, 2022
The world has lost a legend. Behind the wheel, with his words, and a multitude of pranks. We truly cannot express what the loss of Kevin Olson means to the racing community. #GodSpeedKO
(📸 Larry Burnett) pic.twitter.com/5kfbiuWNYx— Chili Bowl Nationals (@cbnationals) February 12, 2022
Olson, who once joked that his day job was light bulb repairman, was an ambassador for the sport even after his racing career ended. He is one of the last drivers to compete in a national midget event with open-face helmet, according to usacracing.com.
Following his midget career, he wrote a book, Cages Are For Monkeys.
Kevin Olson, the one-of-a-kind racecar driver & one-of-a-kind personality who raced to two USAC National Midget titles in 1982 & 1987, died following a car accident on Friday night in Wisconsin. He was 70 years old.Full Story: https://t.co/tXG14BLU8L
📸 Gene Crucean pic.twitter.com/E7RkwML3Wb— USAC Racing (@USACNation) February 12, 2022
Back in 1987, Kevin Olson was in the midst of a USAC National Midget championship season. On this night, he revealed to the world his side business as a light bulb repairman. pic.twitter.com/V5VM0Wtdoi
— USAC Racing (@USACNation) January 10, 2020
Keyword: Two-Time USAC National Midget Champion Kevin Olson Killed in Car Crash