IndyCar: The Five Greatest Drivers Who Never Won At Indy

Rex Mays

Rex Mays is this list’s lone competitor from first 50 years of the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But, he most certainly deserves to be on the list of greatest drivers never to win the Indianapolis 500. Overall, Mays was one of, if not the, most dominant racers of his day. A member of both the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Mays was known as a hero to fans and racers alike and won titles in the AAA Championship Car Series. He earned his hero reputation during a race at the Milwaukee Mile when he stopped his car while leading and ran to save a competitor who had crashed and was unconscious. The incident led to the race being called the “Rex Mays Classic” for more than 30 years.

At Indianapolis, Mays was only able to find successful during time trials. He won the pole position four times in twelve tries at the speedway. However, he was only able to complete the full distance three times. Mays managed to finish second in back to back tries in 1940 and 1941. He led 266 laps over his Indianapolis career; the second most of any driver who failed to win the event. Unfortunately, Mays’ prolific career was cut short when he was killed in a race in California in 1949.

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