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Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner. Sam became a Hospital Administrator by age 24, purchased his father's parts company in 1989, and was involved with other entrepreneurial successes such as Arnette sunglasses, Copart, and Precision Healthcare. In 1993, Sam won the SCCA National Championship in F2000, but dreamed of someday driving in the Indianapolis 500. In 1995, Sam raced professionally in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series finishing third in points for the season and winning Rookie of the Year honors. In 1997 he made his first IndyCar start and became a rising star in the league, raced in 3 consecutive Indianapolis 500's, and netted his first victory from the pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1999, finishing fifth in series points that year. While testing in preparation for the 2000 season, Schmidt suffered a horrendous crash at Walt Disney World Speedway. The accident rendered him a quadriplegic. After leaving the hospital, Schmidt, no longer able to drive a racecar, realized he needed to find a new passion. Inspired by meeting paraplegic Formula One team owner Sir Frank Williams, he founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports, which has become the most successful team in the history of the Firestone Indy Lights Series. In addition to the motorsports enterprise, Sam established the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to further the cause of paralysis research, treatment and quality of life issues.