In the history of the Indianapolis 500 only seven men have had the privilege of competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing on over 20 separate occasions, and whilst the likes of AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti and Al Unser Sr. should be obvious answers to even the most casual of Indycar fans one name on this list stands out from the crowd, one which we will look to celebrate as we continue our countdown of great Indy moments.

With the sixth most starts of any driver at Indianapolis, George Snider currently holds the record as the driver to compete the most times in the 500 without ever going on to win the race itself, competing on 22 occasions at the Speedway between 1965 and 1987, his only absence coming when he passed over his already qualified Parnelli to Tim Richmond for the 1981 race. Although his success at the Speedway was limited over the years Snider still showcased himself as one of the most successful sprint car racers of his generation, and his success on the dirt tracks, along with his resilience and laid back demeanor turned the California native into one of Indy’s most well respected and beloved figures.

After making his 500 debut in 1965 driving an Offenhauser powered Gerhardt, Snider shocked many in the motor racing community by qualifying third on the grid, well ahead of the likes of Gordon Johncock, AJ Foyt and Parnelli Jones as well as established Formula One stars Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill. In the race itself Snider was able to evade a first lap pile-up to contest for the lead during the race’s early stages, only for an incident with the #12 car of Chuck Hulse to put the Californian out of the race on lap 22 in what proved ultimately prove to be his most competitive 500 performance.

Despite his strong qualifying effort in 1966, Snider earned a reputation being something of a regular fixture on Bump Day, qualifying on the last row of the grid on four separate occasions, including in 1979 when he became only the second man ever to start 35th on the grid due to an expanded field stemming from issues between CART and USAC at the time. Most of Snider’s poor qualifying efforts stemmed from his preference to work as a second week qualifier, often arriving at the speedway without a full time ride and leasing a spare car from one of those that had already booked their place in the field. This approach did win some critics in the paddock, but it also helped to demonstrate Snider’s adaptability and calm as a driver, often stepping into a machine with seldom track time and yet still managing to make the field, something best demonstrated in 1973 when he bumped Sam Posey from the field despite having only lap of practice in the car during the entire month. To do this once was remarkably, but to do it on 22 separate occasions during Indy’s most competitive era was something worthy of true recognition.

Most of that adaptability as a driver stemmed from Snider’s work as a Sprint Car driver, the inconsistency of dirt track surfaces often requiring strong concentration and immense car control, and during the seventies Snider showed himself to be one of the best, picking up three USAC championships in both Silver Crown and Champ Car disciplines, including the last USAC championship to take place on paved surfaces, between 1971 and 1982. During his time in sprint cars, Snider first became friends with AJ Foyt, sparking a friendship between the two that saw Super Tex often lease his spare cars to Foyt to make the 500 field, and in return seeing Snider running sprint cars for a number of Foyt’s prodigies over the years, including Foyt’s grandson AJ IV and a young Indiana hotshot by the name of Tony Stewart.

Snider’s last 500 appearance ended in somewhat archetypal fashion, suffering from a turbocharger failure before the start of the race following a last row starting position. Although history may like to paint George Snider as something of a journeyman figure, one whose record at the Indianapolis 500 can only boast a best finish of eighth, his approachable character and effort over such a long period of time earned many admirers, and whilst he never achieved the fame and success as those other drivers with over 20 appearances he still earns merit within Indy’s illustrious history.

In today’s video watch Snider bumping Sam Posey from the field in the 1973 500. Not many clips exist of Snider in action and this is the best I could find.

In tomorrow’s update one of the Indianapolis 500’s nearly men finally gets his moment in the spotlight.