Billy Carlson

For the American politician, see William H. Carlson. For the American journalist and television news anchor, see Bill Carlson.

William "Billy" Carlson
File:Carlson-william 1915 indy.jpg
Nationality	American
Born	(1889-10-17)October 17, 1889 San Diego, California
Died	Tacoma, Washington

Billy Carlson (17 October 1889 San Diego, California – 4 July 1915 Tacoma, Washington) was an American racecar driver. He was killed in an AAA National Championship race at Tacoma Speedway.

Biography

Billy 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."

He 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.

Carlson sustained fatal injuries in the Montamarathon race at Tacoma Speedway on July 4, 1915. Maxwell suspended their racing game for the remainder of the season and the team was disbanded and the automobiles were shipped back to the factory in Detroit.

Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1914	25	5	93.360	6	9	200	0	Running
1915	19	16	84.110	16	9	200	0	Running
Totals						400	0

Starts	2
Poles	0
Front Row	0
Wins	0
Top 5	0
Top 10	2
Retired	0