By Jana Strange
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Indianapolis 500 veteran and leading Firestone Indy Lights team owner Sam Schmidt has been honored for his outstanding professional and philanthropic leadership in creating awareness for spinal cord injuries.
Schmidt was awarded the 2008 Visionary Leadership Award from The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation on Dec. 2 at the Making Magic Happen Gala in Los Angeles. Schmidt was one of two honorees; actress Jane Seymour received the 2008 Philanthropy Award.
"I am so touched and honored by this recognition from The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation," Schmidt said. "Not only was Chris a friend, but he inspired me and so many others to pull through challenging times and move forward with my life."
A successful IndyCar Series driver, Schmidt raced in the Indianapolis 500 three times from 1997-99 and had a best finish of 26th in 1998. His Sam Schmidt Motorsports team has fielded several entries for drivers in recent Indianapolis 500s. His Firestone Indy Lights team has won the Firestone Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a record three times, in 2004 with Thiago Medeiros, in 2005 with Jaime Camara and in 2007 with Alex Lloyd.
Schmidt founded The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation shortly after suffering a devastating spinal cord injury in a January 2000 testing crash, which paralyzed him from the chest down.
Schmidt has taken the passion and commitment that made him a top race car driver and has focused that energy on creating a broader awareness of spinal cord injuries.
"Sam has demonstrated extraordinary generosity of time, talent and resources, and his efforts have touched many people," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. "This award is presented with gratitude to Sam for his enthusiastic dedication, loyal support and inspirational example."
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation have been longtime partners and have worked together for several years to fund cutting-edge research.
The Sam Schmidt's Paralysis Foundation's support of the Individual Research Grants program continues to have an impact on spinal cord research, funding some of the field's most talented researchers, who are dedicated to finding more effective treatments and eventually a cure for spinal cord injury.
"Sam Schmidt has been the epitome of an individual who is healthy, active and independent, who just happens to live with quadriplegia," Wilderotter said. "He is an inspiration to us all."
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2009 Indy 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, the 93rd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can purchase tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.
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