One of the most successful and respected families in open-wheel racing, the Snevas have been part of the supermodified scene in the Pacific Northwest since patriarch Ed Sneva began driving and building race cars in the 1950s.
The elder Sneva’s love of the sport was passed on to his sons Jerry, Jan, Blaine, Babe and Tom, who won the 1983 Indianapolis 500 and claimed a pair of Indy car championships.
Most members of the Sneva family cut their teeth at Spokane Interstate Fair Speedway, a three-eighths-mile asphalt track, before venturing off to run with the Canadian American Modified Racing Ass’n. The family had a significant amount of success with the series that operated from 1964 to ’84.
In fact, four family members won the series championship at least once between 1971-’83. Many believe CAMRA success is what ultimately paved the way for at least four members of the Sneva family to race Indy cars.
Ed Sneva was a pioneering driver. Born in Raton, N.M., in 1929, he moved to Spokane after his father purchased some apartment buildings. He quickly developed a passion for auto racing after attending a handful of events at Mead Speedway.
He was also a car builder who thought outside of the box and built some radical supermodifieds. Many of these cars pushed the limits of the rulebook.
In 1968, Ed Sneva and Jim Tipke built a four-wheel-drive, rear-engine supermodified that Sneva’s oldest son, Tom, drove in 1969 and ’70. Tom Sneva was nearly unbeatable during those two years. After winning the CAMRA title in 1970, the car was permanently banned by the series.
The ban did not discourage Sneva, who continued to build innovative supers, including a four-wheel -drive machine with a 510-cubic-inch Pontiac engine in 1989.
Tom Sneva made his racing debut in 1968. He won the CAMRA title in 1970 and attempted to qualify for his first Indy car race at Phoenix Raceway, but missed the field.
The oldest of the Sneva brothers eventually made the grade in Indy car competition and claimed the USAC title in 1977 and ’78.
He won the 1983 Indianapolis 500 and made his final Indy start in 1992. Tom Sneva finished his Indy car career with 14 victories in 219 starts.
Now 75 years old, Tom Sneva resides in Arizona.
His younger brother Jerry enjoyed success in supermodifieds and sprint cars. Jerry Sneva was the 1974 CAMRA champion. He teamed with Oregon car owner Art Sugai in the early 1970s and for a short time drove the legendary “Pink Lady,” 1968 Grant King-built sprint car. The duo won a significant number of races during their time together.
Jerry Sneva also made his way to Indy car racing, making numerous starts between 1975 and ’84. He was the 1977 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year.
Jerry Sneva died on Jan. 27, 2018, at the age of 68.
Jan Sneva is the third oldest Sneva brother. He was also a CAMRA champion, claiming the title in 1983 and ’84. He was the final series champion as the sanctioning body disbanded following the 1984 campaign. He made four Indy car starts between 1979-’81 At age 70, Jan Sneva also lives in Arizona.
Blaine Sneva is the fourth oldest brother and was also a successful supermodified driver, claiming the CAMRA crown in 1981. He attempted one Indy car race, but failed to qualify at The Milwaukee Mile in 1979.
Blaine Sneva is 66 and lives in Post Falls, Idaho.