George Connor

George Connor (16 August 1906 - 28 March 2001): Charles George Connor was an American racing driver from Rialto, California, whose remarkable career spanned nearly three decades and bridged the pre-World War II and post-war eras of American motorsport. Connor began his racing career in 1926 at the half-mile dirt Colton, California oval, launching what would become one of the longest careers in Indianapolis 500 history. Connor's Indianapolis 500 career was extraordinary in both its longevity and consistency. He participated in 14 Indianapolis 500 races from 1935 to 1952, competing across two distinct eras separated by World War II.

Throughout these 14 starts, Connor drove 4,257 miles at Indianapolis without ever leading a lap, which ranks sixth on the all-time list for most miles driven without leading, a statistical oddity that speaks to his role as a steady, reliable mid-pack competitor rather than a front-runner. His best finish at the Brickyard was seventh place in 1949, though he consistently brought his cars home in respectable positions. Connor was among the regular pilots on the AAA National Championship circuit, particularly active in 1947 when the series resumed full operations after the war. He participated in three World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis between 1950 and 1952 when the 500 counted toward the Formula One championship, finishing eighth twice but scoring no World Championship points.

Connor continued racing until 1954, deciding to wind down his career after failing to qualify for the 1953 Indianapolis 500, his first failure to make the field after so many successful attempts. He officially retired following the 1954 season. At the time of Connor's death on 28 March 2001 in Hesperia, California, he held a unique distinction: he was the final surviving driver to have participated in a pre-World War II Championship car event. This made him a living link to the earliest days of American Championship racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's formative years.

Connor passed away at the remarkable age of 94, having witnessed and participated in the evolution of American open-wheel racing from its pioneering days through its post-war golden era.