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Since the news of Kevin Olson’s passing earlier this February made us all shiver, the Deery Family and many around Rockford Speedway have remained in shock. KO was one of the first-year drivers at the start of the RoadRunners division, campaigning a potent Opel Cadet, flipping on one of those early nights and graciously accepting a roll-over trophy from our Hugh Deery on the front straight. After a few Late Model starts in that era, Kevin’s Rockford Speedway races from then on would be more sporadic; but when the midget race cars came to town, many fans in the stands cheered on our local hero! His last start at the high banked quarter-mile came when it was covered in dirt for the 2016 event. In the years between, Kevin and family would enjoy attending events like the National Short Track Championships and even the Goblin Enduro.
While competing on the national stage, becoming a many-time midget champion and HoF inductee, KO helped keep Rockford on the racing map; not only for his racing accomplishments but even attempting a Golf Cart speed record at the Rockford Airport! Among his exploits all over the United States, and in other countries, everyone knew he was a racer from Rockford. From letters he wrote to National Speed Sport News, many columns penned for the Sprint Car & Midget magazine, and experts from his book "Cages Are For Monkeys"; we were always thankful for the Rockford Speedway references. Forever grateful for the attention and detail he described at the time of Jody Deery’s retirement in 2020; those complimentary words of which he made every effort ensuring Jody saw, a true retrospect of the kind of person Kevin was.
We were proud to induct him into our Walk of Fame years ago. His iconic signature and hand prints will be
preserved by the track's flagstand, among other Rockford Speedway faithful. Kevin's legacy will live on in many ways. Godspeed KO!
Rockford Speedway offers sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this loss to the racing community.
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