Carl Olson (drag racer)

Olson entered the 1969 NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, but failed to qualify.[1]

At the 1970 Winternationals, Olson qualified #4, but was eliminated in round two by #12 qualifier JIm Davis.[2]

Olson qualified #30 at the 1971 Winternationals. He was eliminated in the quarter-final by Don Garlits.[3] He also entered the 1971 AHRA Winter Nationals at Beeline Dragway in Scottsdale, Arizona. He qualified #15, and lost in the semi-final to Chris "the Greek" Karamesines.[4] The semi-final finish paid Olson US$400.[5]

He also entered the 1971 NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana, where he was #3 qualifier, and lost in the sei-final to top qualifier Garlits in Swamp Rat 14.[6] His final 1972 Top Fuel event was the Supernats at Ontario Motor Speedway, in Ontario, California; Olson qualified #13, and went out in round two to #21 qualifier Tony Nancy.[7]

At Lions Drag Strip, Wilmington, California, in 1972, Olson qualified #9 for the NHRA Division 7 Le Grand Premiere, and was eliminated in round one by #1 qualifier Don Prudhomme.[8] Olson was paid uS$150.[9]

Olson qualified #29 for the 1972 Winternats; he defeated Karamesines in round one, Tony Nancy in round two, Dwight Salisbury in round three, and Gary Cochran in the semi-final, on the way to a final round win over #2 qualifier Dennis Baca, and taking a US$11,075 purse.[10] At the NHRA Division 7 All Pro Championship Series at Orange County International Raceway (OCIR), in Irvine, California, on 13 February, Olson lost to Clayton Harris, taking a purse of US$750.[11]

At the 25 March Division 7 event at OCIR, he lost in the final to Prudhomme.[12] At Dallas International Motor Speedway in June, Olson reached the final in the 1972 IHRA Longhorn Nationals, losing in the final to top qualifier "TV Tommy" Ivo.[13]

Olson qualified #1 at the NHRA Springnats in Hebron, Ohio, making it to the final before losing to #1 qualifier Chip Woodall (in the Gene Snow fueller).[14] At the NHRA Summernats at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, Olson qualified #3, and defeated #11 qualifier Arnie Behling in round one and #15 qualifier Larry Bucher in round two, before losing to #5 qualifier (and eventual winner) Jeb Allen in the quarter-final.[15] 1972's Le Grandnational at Sanair in Saint-Pie, Quebec, saw Olson reach the semi-final, before being eliminated by eventual event winner Art Marshall.[16]

Olson qualified #6 for the 1972 U.S. Nats at Indianapolis, being eliminated in the semi-final by #3 qualifier Jerry Ruth.[17]

The 1972 INRA U.S. Open at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina, was a success for Olson, defeating Flip Schofield in round three, Garlits in the semi, and Ivo in the final; the scheduled final was rained out, and had to be run the next day.[18]

Dallas International Motor Speedway hosted the 1072 IHRA Nationals in Lewisville, Texas. Olson defeated Schofield in the final.[19]

Olson returned to Ontario Motor Speedway for the 1972 Supernats, beating Randy Allison (in round one) and Herman Petersen, before being eliminated by eventual winner Don Moody in the semi-final.[20] Olson took a US$1500 purse.[21]

At Pomona in 1973, Olson qualified #33. He was eliminated in the second round by #12 qualifier Dennis Baca.[22]

Olson qualified #1 for the Gatornats at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, but failed to run.[23]

Along with Peterson and Jim Bucher, Olson failed to make the field for the Springnats.[24]

Olson reached the final at the U.S. Nats, losing to Gary Beck.

The 1973 NHRA World Finals at Amarillo Dragway in Amarillo, Texas were another disappointment; though qualifying #2, and beating #10 qualifier Bucher in round one, Olson lost to Phil Hobbs in the quarter-final round.[25]

At the final race of the 1973 season, the Supernats at Ontario, Olson qualified #9, only to be eliminated in round one by #1 qualifier (and eventual event winner) Garlits (in Swamp Rat 19).[26]

Olson started his final Top Fuel season at the Gatornats. He qualified #8, and was eliminated by #16 qualifier Petersen in round one.[27]

He qualified #1 at the Springnats, defeating Bucher in the semi-final to meet #2 qualifier Beck in the final, which Olson lost.[28]

Olson attended the Summernats in Englishtown, but failed to qualify.[29]

At the U.S. Nats, Olson qualified #4, but lost in round one to #20 qualifier Grant Stoms.[30]

Olson's last TF/D start[31] was the Supernats. He qualified #14, and lost in round one to #6 qualifier Sarge Arciero.[32]