Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.When the IndyCars take to the track this weekend at the Iowa Speedway, one owner will have a special set of wheels.
Lincoln-born Sam Schmidt has been paralyzed since he was involved in a crash while testing IndyCars at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2000. The accident rendered him a quadriplegic, and for five weeks he was on a respirator.
After leaving the hospital, Schmidt realized he needed a new passion. So he became a car owner, founding Sam Schmidt Motorsports. On May 21, driver Alex Tagliani rewarded Schmidt by winning the pole position for this year’s Indy 500.
Schmidt, who lived in Nebraska for three years before moving to California, started his professional racing career in 1995, made his first start in the Indy Racing League in 1997 and was enjoying a successful IndyCar career as a driver. He raced in three Indianapolis 500s and won a race at the Las Vegas Speedway in 1999.
After the accident and his creation of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, his team participated full-time in the IndyCar series in 2001 and 2002 and has been an annual fixture at the Indianapolis 500. The team also has competed successfully in the Indy Lights Series, winning the series championship in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010 and posting more than 30 wins.
Early this year, after acquiring the FAZZT IndyCar team, Sam Schmidt Motorsports returned full-time to the Indy Racing League.
In addition to the motorsports enterprise, Schmidt established the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, which furthers the cause of paralysis research, treatment and quality of life issues. Schmidt travels up to 120 days a year either as a part of racing or for the foundation.
As the saying goes, “You can’t keep a good man down.” I believe that saying totally fits Sam Schmidt.
Soap Box Derby time
The Southeast Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Optimist Clubs will hold their annual All American Soap Box Derby Races Saturday and Sunday at Seymour Smith Park in Omaha.
Pre-race activities start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. For more information, go to www.omahasoapboxderby.org.
Contact the writer:
402-676-9015, acker00@aol.com
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