Full Name James L. Snyder Name Jimmy Snyder Ethnicity White | Nationality American Role Race car driver | |
Born March 10, 1909 ( 1909-03-10 ) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Resting place Cedar Park Cemetery
Calumet Park, Illinois, U.S. Died June 29, 1939, Cahokia, Illinois, United States | ||
Cause of death Race-related accident | ||
James L. Snyder (March 10, 1909 – June 29, 1939) was an American race car driver.
Snyder was part of the midget car "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rourke, Paul Russo, and Wally Zale. They toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
Snyder won the 1937 track championship at the Chicago Armory & Riverview. He also set a new track record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for that season's Indianapolis 500.
Snyder appeared in five Indianapolis 500 events. He won the pole for the 1939 Indianapolis 500, setting another new track record in the process. He finished second in the event.
Death
Snyder died of a race-related accident on June 29, 1939 in Cahokia, Illinois, at the age of 30, while racing in an appearance to help a midget car promoter.