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Sam Schmidt
View on WikipediaSamuel Schmidt (born August 15, 1964) is a former Indy Racing League driver and NTT IndyCar Series and Indy Lights series team owner. Schmidt's brief IndyCar career included a win in 1999, but an accident before the 2000 season left him a quadriplegic. Schmidt was a co-owner of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team.
Key Information
Racing career
[edit]After graduating from Pepperdine University, Schmidt became a successful businessman, eventually purchasing his father's parts company in 1989 at the age of 25.[citation needed] He raced at a competitive amateur level, supported by his business income, but dreamed of someday driving in the Indianapolis 500. Schmidt first drove professionally in 1995 in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series at the age of 31, where he won Rookie of the Year honors.[citation needed]

In 1997 Schmidt made his first Indy Racing League start and became a rising star in the league. He raced three consecutive years at the Indianapolis 500, and earned his first race victory, from pole position, at Las Vegas in 1999.[citation needed] He finished fifth in series points that year. During that offseason, while testing in preparation for the 2000 season, Schmidt crashed at Walt Disney World Speedway on January 6, 2000.[1] The accident rendered him a quadriplegic, and put him on a respirator for five months.[2]
After leaving the hospital, Schmidt, no longer able to drive a racecar, realized he needed to find a new passion and follow it. Inspired by meeting tetraplegic Formula One team owner Sir Frank Williams, he founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports, which has become the most successful team in the history of the Indy Lights series,[citation needed] winning the 2004 series championship with Thiago Medeiros, the 2006 title with Jay Howard, and the 2007 title with Alex Lloyd. Sam Schmidt Motorsports was a full-time IndyCar series team in 2001 and 2002, and continues to participate annually in the Indianapolis 500. In the Firestone Indy Lights series, as of August 2009 the team had posted thirty victories out of one-hundred starts.[citation needed]
After acquiring the FAZZT Race Team IndyCar team in 2011, Sam Schmidt Motorsports returned full-time to the IZOD IndyCar Series, and on May 21, 2011, driver Alex Tagliani won the pole position for the Indianapolis 500, the first pole for the team.[citation needed]
Career results
[edit]Indy Racing League
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | Chassis | No. | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Rank | Points | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Blueprint Racing | Dallara IR7 | 16 | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | NHM | LVS | WDW | PHX 10 |
INDY 34 |
TXS 23 |
PPI | 27th | 76 | [3] | ||||
| LP Racing | 99 | CLT 18 |
NH2 22 |
LV2 27 |
||||||||||||||
| 1998 | LP Racing | Dallara IR8 | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | WDW 9 |
PHX 7 |
INDY 26 |
TXS 18 |
NHM 12 |
DOV 17 |
CLT 14 |
PPIR 13 |
ATL 15 |
TX2 27 |
LVS 2 |
14th | 186 | [4] | |
| 1999 | Treadway Racing | G-Force GF01C | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | WDW 27 |
PHX 9 |
CLT C1 |
INDY 30 |
TXS 3 |
PPI 2 |
ATL 22 |
DOV 5 |
PP2 5 |
LVS 1 |
TX2 22 |
5th | 233 | [5] |
- 1 The 1999 VisionAire 500K at Charlotte was cancelled after 79 laps due to spectator fatalities.
Other
[edit]- Schmidt won $16,350 on Press Your Luck over the course of three episodes between January 2–4, 1985.[6][7][8]
- He established the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to further the cause of paralysis research, treatment and quality-of-life issues.[citation needed]
- He was helped by Arrow Electronics to drive again by creating a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray that is controlled with head movement, voice commands, and by mouth sip/puff actions.[9][10]
- Schmidt currently serves on the board of directors for BraunAbility, a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and other mobility solutions.
- Schmidt is co-owner of Speed Vegas motorpark.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Macur, Juliet (January 19, 2000). "Crash at Disney paralyzes IRL driver". The Orlando Sentinel. p. 19. Retrieved August 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ [1], Sam's story, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, may 21, 2014 (video)
- ^ "Sam Schmidt – 1997 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Sam Schmidt – 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Sam Schmidt – 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Press Your Luck Episode 332 Cydney/Sam/Jill. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ Press Your Luck #333. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ Press Your Luck Episode 334 Sam/Rick/Esmeralda. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ Wesley Wren (26 September 2016). "Sam Schmidt will get the first semi-autonomous driver's license". Autoweek. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (13 May 2017). "Paralyzed Sam Schmidt set to race 77-year-old Mario Andretti at Indianapolis". Autoweek. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "SpeedVegas critic now CEO of high-speed operation". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
External links
[edit]- Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Archived 2015-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
- Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation
Sam Schmidt
View on GrokipediaEarly Life and Background
Family and Upbringing
Sam Schmidt was born on August 15, 1964, in Lincoln, Nebraska.[18] His family relocated to southern California when he was two years old, prompted by his parents' involvement in the motorsports industry.[19] Schmidt grew up in a racing-oriented family, with his father, Marv Schmidt, actively participating in off-road racing events.[20] In 1974, when Sam was about ten years old, Marv suffered a severe injury in an off-road accident that left him temporarily unable to walk or speak, an experience that profoundly influenced the family's perspective on risk in motorsports.[20] Despite his father's subsequent caution against pursuing racing, the family shared an enthusiasm for the sport, providing early exposure.[21] From a young age, Schmidt displayed a strong interest in automobiles, falling in love with racing at five years old and beginning to compete in motocross competitions shortly thereafter.[21] His family's business roots further shaped his formative years; Marv owned an auto parts company, instilling in Sam an early appreciation for entrepreneurship within the automotive sector.[1] These influences—blending familial racing passion with practical business acumen—laid the groundwork for Schmidt's later pursuits, though his family initially encouraged traditional sports like football and baseball to steer him away from the dangers of motorsports.[21]Education and Initial Business Ventures
Schmidt attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seaver College in 1986, followed by a Master of Business Administration in International Finance from the Graziadio Business School in 1987.[22][23] His pursuit of these degrees was influenced by his family's involvement in the automotive industry, providing a foundation for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.[2] Following graduation, Schmidt began his professional career as a hospital administrator, gaining early experience in management and operations. In 1989, at the age of 25, he acquired his father's auto parts distribution company, which specialized in aftermarket parts. Under his leadership, the business expanded significantly, leveraging his MBA-honed skills in finance and strategy to streamline operations and grow its market presence in the competitive automotive sector.[21][2][22] The financial success and stability of the auto parts company proved instrumental in supporting Schmidt's personal interests outside of business, enabling him to invest in and pursue high-cost endeavors such as motorsports without compromising his entrepreneurial foundation. This business acumen not only ensured the company's profitability but also positioned Schmidt as a savvy operator capable of managing complex ventures.[21][24]Racing Career
Entry into Professional Racing
Sam Schmidt entered professional motorsports in 1995 at the age of 31, debuting in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, a late start by racing standards that was enabled by his established business career in the automotive sector.[1] In his rookie season, Schmidt demonstrated immediate talent by finishing third in the points standings and earning the series' Rookie of the Year award, marking a strong foundation in stock car racing.[1][25][26] Building on this success, Schmidt shifted to open-wheel racing in 1996, competing in the USF2000 National Championship series as a stepping stone toward higher levels of competition.[26] He achieved notable victories, including the season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway on January 26 and the event at Phoenix International Raceway on March 24, both oval races that highlighted his adaptability and skill in the series' developmental environment.[27][28] These performances, combined with consistent top finishes that placed him fourth in the overall points standings, underscored his rapid progression in junior formulas.[29][30] Schmidt's transition to full-time racing was motivated by a lifelong passion for the sport, cultivated from childhood involvement in motocross, and was financially supported by his prior ventures, including purchasing and operating his father's auto parts business in 1989 after earning degrees in business administration and international finance.[1][31] This self-funding approach allowed him to leave his corporate role and dedicate himself to racing, positioning him for entry into top-tier series by 1997.[31]IndyCar Series Achievements
Sam Schmidt competed in the IndyCar Series from 1997 to 1999, making 27 starts across the three seasons with different teams.[6] His best championship finish came in 1999, placing fifth overall with 233 points after a strong performance that included multiple podiums.[6] In 1997, Schmidt debuted with Blueprint Racing, contesting six races in a Dallara chassis powered by an Oldsmobile Aurora engine, including his first Indianapolis 500 appearance where he finished 34th after an engine failure.[5][32] The following year, he expanded to a full schedule of 11 races with LP Racing, again in a Dallara-Oldsmobile Aurora, achieving his first podium with a runner-up finish at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.[33] Schmidt's 1999 season marked his career peak, driving 10 races for Treadway Racing in a G Force chassis with an Oldsmobile Aurora engine.[5] He secured three podium finishes, including a second-place result at Pikes Peak International Raceway in a tight duel with Greg Ray.[34] His sole pole position and victory came at the Vegas.com 500 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 26, 1999, starting from the pole in his hometown track.[35] During the 208-lap race, Schmidt led 35 laps and passed race leader Kenny Bräck with three laps remaining after 11 caution periods totaling 70 laps had shuffled the field; he held on to win by a narrow margin, marking his only IndyCar triumph and a significant milestone as a Las Vegas resident.[36][37] Over his IndyCar career, Schmidt earned four podium finishes and led a total of 39 laps, with no other poles or wins. His progression from partial-season rookie to consistent contender highlighted his rapid rise in the series.[1]| Season | Team | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Best Finish | Points | Championship Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Blueprint Racing | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10th | 76 | 28th |
| 1998 | LP Racing | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2nd | 186 | 14th |
| 1999 | Treadway Racing | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1st | 233 | 5th |
| Total | - | 27 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1st | 495 | - |
