Norm Nelson (January 30, 1923 - November 8, 1988) was a NASCAR driver from Racine, WI. He competed in five Sprint Cup Series events in his career, earning one victory and three top-tens. He mainly competed in USAC's Stock Car division, winning championships in 1960, 1965, and 1966. Between 1958 and 1974, he finished in the top three in points during 10 seasons.
Nelson's debut came in 1955, when he competed at LeHi for the famed Carl Kiekhaefer. Nelson started 39th in the race and was driving towards a good finish when the engine quit late in the race. He finished 18th. But Nelson was to more than overcome that disappointment in the next race, taking the #299 team to Las Vegas. Nelson didn't just win the pole, he didn't just lead 106 of the 111 laps, he just simply win, holding off Bill Hyde by two laps.
Amazingly, the next time Nelson would hit the track came in 1966, when he competed at Riverside. Starting 14th in his own Plymouth, Nelson proved he still had it. He completed all but nine laps and was rewarded with a 9th place finish.
Nelson, buoyed by the run, had an even better one when the series returned to Riverside in early 1967. Starting 15th in the field, Nelson managed this time to complete all but two laps in route to a spectacular 3rd place finish, only finishing behind road course aces Paul Goldsmith and Parnelli Jones.
But Nelson's last race, coming yet again at Riverside in 1968, did not close out his short yet spectacular career on a high note. Nelson started 21st and only completed half of the race before the engine quit on his machine, leaving him with a 20th place finish.