The drag racing community was dealt an unexpected and devastating blow over the weekend as longtime announcer and beloved ambassador of the sport Brian Olson passed away in the early morning hours of August 2nd. Word of Olson’s passing spread quickly throughout the community as scores of racers, crew members, fans and friends of the boisterous Olson expressed their shock and sadness via various social media platforms.

Olson, who was on the mend from an early July motorcycle accident that left him with broken ribs and a broken hand, among other less-severe injuries, seemed to be well on the road to recovery, making his sudden passing that much more shocking to those following his progress. No word has been given at this time as to what caused this terrible loss.

Olson will be remembered for his many years as a public address announcer for such organizations as the IHRA and ADRL, and he most recently worked with the PDRA as an announcer and reporter, often conducting top-end driver interviews and reporting from the pits throughout the event weekends. One common theme shared by many of Brian’s friends was his extensive library of “war stories” from his decades spent making connections and friendships with competitors and fans throughout the racing world.

Many also noted Olson’s sincere passion for all things drag racing as well as the fact that, for them, Olson had become a key ingredient in the recipe for a great drag racing experience. I personally met Brian for the first time at the 2014 PDRA Memphis event, and he treated me as if he and I were old friends, a sentiment shared by many as they recount their Olson anecdotes in his memory.

The world of drag racing was truly better with Brian Olson in it, and the sport has lost some of its magic with his untimely passing.