The 2015 Indy season officially begins at St. Petersburg, Florida on March 29 with the Firestone Grand Prix. It’s not just the first race of 2015, it’s also the first of four street course races in the series. I was able to talk to Sam Schmidt the owner and manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports via telephone while he is on the road preparing for the beginning of the season. Sam is one of the Indy Car series’ really special people. His team successfully competes in both the Indy Car and Firestone Indy Lights series. His Indy Lights team is the most successful in the history of the series with multiple titles to it’s credit. He has been responsible for locating and grooming some of the top young talent in Indy cars, most recently Simon Pagenaud. Most importantly, he has become an inspiration to people with disabilities.
Sam started his Indy Car career in 1997 at Phoenix for Blueprint Racing and finished 34th in his first Indianapolis 500 start that year. In 1998, Sam had three top ten finishes including a second at Las Vegas at season’s end. He finished 26th at Indianapolis. The 1999 season looked to be Sam’s breakout season. He had five of five top finishes, including a victory at Las Vegas in the season final. However, on January 6, 2000, while testing a car, he suffered a horrendous crash and was rendered a quadriplegic. Instead of withdrawing, he chose to meet life head on. He couldn’t drive but he became a racing team owner and developer of racing talent. He has established the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to further the cause of paralysis research, treatment, and quality of life issues. He has shown that being disabled can be overcome through strength of character.
Last year was a big one for Sam and Schmidt Peterson Racing. Lead driver Simon Pagenaud became an Indy Car star with two road course wins, including the inaugural Indy Grand Prix on May 10. He scored five other top five finishes and two more top ten finishes. Sam gave the first driver from Russia, Mikhail Aleshin, a ride for the 2014 season. Aleshin scored a second place at Houston. Unfortunately, Aleshin was critically injured in the last race of the season at Fontana, California. At the Indianapolis 500, Schmidt Peterson fielded a three car team including a car for 1995 Indy 500 champ Jacques Villenuve. It was Villenuves’ first appearance at Indianapolis in 20 years. In the 2014 Indy Lights Series, Schmidt Peterson once again took the team championship with 21-year-old English driver Jack Harvey, winning four races and being named series Rookie of the Year. Harvey is obviously an emerging star and will drive for Schmidt Peterson again this season. Brazilian Luiz Razia won at Indy and had several strong finishes for Sam, but had funding issues for 2015.
Sam is really excited about the upcoming 2015 season. “Arrow Electronics will be the team’s primary sponsor,” Sam told me.
“We are back with Honda power. We feel that Honda gives us greater dependability and better range particularly on the road courses.” Sam admits. The new Honda aero kits will increase safety and performance and make for more competitive racing. There are different kits for the super ovals and the road courses and smaller ovals.
Simon Pagenaud’s contract expired at the end of 2014 and he signed with Penske. Sam has signed former Team Andretti driver, Canadian James Hinchcliffe, as his lead driver. Hinchcliffe is 28 years old and has proven to be very competitive, particularly on the road courses. Englishman James Jakes will replace Aleshin. Jakes drove the 2011 and 12 seasons for Dale Coyne Racing and 2013 for Rahal Letterman. He drove in both the 2012 and 13 Indianapolis 500 races. His best finish to date in Indy cars is a second at the 2013 Detroit Grand Prix. Nick Snyder is back as the managing engineer for the team and as Sam says, he’s one of the smartest guys in the business. Don Oldenburg will manage the racing team and Dave Higuera will manage the Indy Lights operations again.
“Andretti and Penske will be tough again this year. Rahal Letterman and Ganassi are always running hard,” says Sam. “Carpenter and Sarah Fisher have combined and they will be a force to reckon with. It’s going be an exciting season for the teams and the fans. I can promise you that Schmidt Peterson will be in the thick of things.”
snicewanger@yahoo.com
