It’s hard to believe that Tom Sneva
won only one Indianapolis 500. The “Gas Man” was a top contender for about 10
years during the mid to late 1970s into the mid 1980s. He won the pole three
times - 1977, ’78 and ’84. Each time, Sneva set the track record (remember
those?). He also was the fastest qualifier in 1981. “Snively” finished second
three times as well. In 1980, he had qualified 14th, then totaled
his car during practice. He was forced to go to a backup, started 33rd
and finished runner-up to Johnny Rutherford.
Sneva is perhaps best known for
being the first driver to officially lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in
excess of 200 mph, which he did in 1977 in the Norton Spirit, pictured here.
Sneva’s lone Indy victory came in 1983, giving George Bignotti his final 500
victory as a chief mechanic.
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