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Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Owner: Sam Schmidt
Inspired by Formula One team owner Frank Williams, former Indy Racing winning driver Sam Schmidt debuted his new team at the Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 in March 2001 at Phoenix.
As a driver, Schmidt made 27 career starts and earned one Indy Racing victory and pole, both achieved in his hometown of Las Vegas in September 1999 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway while driving for Treadway Racing. In January 2000, Schmidt became a quadriplegic due to injuries suffered in a practice crash at Orlando, Fla.
Schmidt, who endures more than 35 hours of physical therapy per week, puts his master’s degree in international finance from Pepperdine University to work managing the marketing efforts for his team and the strategic direction of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.
The Foundation’s mission is to help individuals overcome spinal-cord injuries and other related debilitating illnesses by facilitating scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances. The Foundation raises funds through the power of motorsports to improve quality of life and assure the best possible outcomes by touching individual lives. Every dollar raised in the Foundation name goes to support the Foundation and its missions.
With Jaques Lazier driving in 2001, Schmidt experienced his first pole (Richmond) as a car owner and his first podium finish with a third at Nashville.
Schmidt resides in Henderson, Nev. with his wife, Sheila, and their two children, Savannah and Spencer.
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