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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | James Leroy Snider March 10, 1909 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | June 29, 1939 (aged 30) East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 11 races run over 5 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 2nd (1939) | ||||||
| First race | 1935 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1939 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| First win | 1938 Syracuse 100 (Syracuse) | ||||||
| |||||||
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 | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Racing career
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
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
Indianapolis 500 results
| Starts | 5 |
|---|---|
| Poles | 1 |
| Front Row | 1 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Top 5 | 1 |
| Top 10 | 1 |
| Retired | 4 |