Columnist Sam Schmidt: The first 150 laps are crucial

Sam Schmidt

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 10:30 a.m.

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of columns by Indianapolis 500 car owner Sam Schmidt of Henderson. Schmidt's driver Davey Hamilton is starting 26th in Sunday's Indianapolis 500.

Where we're starting on race day, we just have to wing it.

If we have an early caution, we might pit because we're not too worried about track position initially. Then we'll see what happens and how it unfolds.

The first 150 laps is just trying to stay out of trouble and stay on the lead lap and be there to race at the end. Hopefully, that will be our strategy.

On race day, it looks like I'll be positioned in the Pagoda. I won't have to be so worried about the weather up there and my visibility would be a lot better than sitting behind the pit wall and not being able to see the cars go by. I'll be in radio contact with the crew regarding fuel and pit strategy. I'll definitely be on top of that.

I finally got a chance to relax last Sunday evening, but the next day we had to get right back with it and get the car rebuilt for Carburetion Day. We were just trying to keep the car off the fence Thursday (Carburetion Day) and make sure it wasn't bottoming out on a full (fuel) tank, check the gear ratios and run through the fuel. We didn't want to go for full speed. I think Davey's happy with the feel of the car and how stuck (in the corners) it is.

There is nothing but social events leading up to the race now, so it's like it was when I was a driver. Tuesday we had another benefit (Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation) dinner. The people have been very supportive this month. It's good to get out and do a few social events, but I'm certainly looking forward to the race. The response all month has been a bit overwhelming. You always expect the support when you're the driver with people yelling and screaming, but being here as an owner this year and to hear the people clap and cheer me on has been really a big uplifting experience for me. It's driving me to continue on.

I've kept busy with my rehab this month. I walk on the treadmill every day, do water therapy three times a week and ride a bicycle three times a week. There's a lot of functional electronic stem (FES) stuff, which is all combined and it adds up to four to five hours a day. It's all done to keep the muscles in shape. There will be something to help me walk again eventually, but it will be useless if I don't keep my muscles in shape. The general consensus among all the researchers out there is that it could take three years or it could take 10 years -- but if I don't stay in shape, then it's worthless.

My wife got in Monday night and the kids are back home with grandma. I miss them a lot. I can't wait to get home and spend some time with them. This is business this week and we've got to focus on the task at hand and get Davey up towards the front in the race. And that requires a lot of my time. At least I've got a little bit of time with my wife here.

Last year, we came back from St. Louis for full-time rehab and the response here was overwhelming. I knew this was a close-knit family and that people in racing take care of each other, but I had no idea just how phenomenal it was. Last year, people came out in great numbers and did a great job for me because they were supporting me and wanting to make me feel welcome. They just did everything for me. And the reception this year has been great again.