Jimmy Snyder (racing driver)

James Leroy Snyder (March 10, 1909 – June 29, 1939) was an American racing driver.[1] He also played one game for the Milwaukee Badgers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1925.[2][3] Aged 16 during his NFL debut, he was the youngest player in NFL history.

Jimmy Snyder
BornJames Leroy Snider
(1909-03-10)March 10, 1909
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 29, 1939(1939-06-29) (aged 30)
East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
Champ Car career
11 races run over 5 years
Best finish2nd (1939)
First race1935 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race1939 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win1938 Syracuse 100 (Syracuse)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 3 2

American football career
Personal information
Weight:162 lb (73 kg)
Career information
High school:Englewood (IL)
College:none
Position:Tailback
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Racing career

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Snyder was part of the midget car racing "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rourke, Paul Russo, and Wally Zale.[4] These racers toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.

Snyder won the 1937 track championship at the Chicago Armory & Riverview.[5] He also set a new track record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for that season's Indianapolis 500.[5]

Snyder appeared in five Indianapolis 500s. He won the pole for the 1939 Indianapolis 500, setting another new track record in the process. He finished second in the event.[5]

Death

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Snyder died in East St. Louis, Illinois hospital on June 29, 1939, shortly after being injured in a midget racing accident in Cahokia, Illinois.[1]

Motorsports career results

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Indianapolis 500 results

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Motorsport Memorial - Jimmy Snyder". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Jim Snyder Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Jim Snyder Stats - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  4. ^ Biography Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine for Paul Russo at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
  5. ^ a b c Snyder's Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
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