In 1948, after graduating from the College of the Pacific he was a co-founder of Track & Field News, along with his brother Bert.
The upstart magazine's first headquarters were brother Bert's garage in San Bruno, California.
The magazine covers the sport of track and field and other aspects of the umbrella of athletics.
In 1985, he co-authored "The Milers", which covers the history of the mile and 1500 metres races from the 19th century until 1984.
Nelson was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1988.