not forgotten . . .

Jimmy Nelson


Flint, Michigan
19.May.1930 - 21.Aug.1965

Jim Nelson raced at Berlin Raceway from 1960 until his death in 1965, when he suffered a horrific crashed while leading a feature race at the Grand Rapids Speedrome in 1965. Just one week after the death of his friend Dick Carter, at the Speedrome, Nelson had announced that all of his winnings would be donated to the Carter family, but he was fatally injured himself that night. Nelson was known as a fearless hard charger and a real showman who never failed to leave the fans in awe. He was well-liked by both drivers and fans during his short but outstanding Berlin racing career.
  source. . . johnnybenson.com


I had the great opportunity to watch Dick and Jimmy race from about 1963 to 1965 at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan. They were weekly regulars and both drove the wheels of their Supers. It was sad when they both died in racing accidents a week apart. The field of cars just seemed empty after that.
  written by. . . Pete Banchoff of South Lyon, Michigan


Jimmy Nelson from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I remember watching Jimmy in this car at the Speedrome in G.R. Man alive, the guy would absolutely stand on it! Wheel to wheel, neck and neck, sometimes two abreast all the way around the track. Jimmy was killed at the Speedrome, but the legend lives on.
A "Ray's Racing Photo" from the Ron Nielsen family photo album.

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