NEWS
June 27, 2010
RUN, WALK 'N WHEELATHONS IN JULY: TORONTO & EDMONTON CANADA
Your chance to experience the Honda Indy Toronto & Honda Indy Edmonton race courses!
START YOUR ENGINES! Toronto: Join us for the 2nd Annual Honda Indy Toronto 5K Run, Walk '
June 14, 2010
DAY AT THE RACES INDIANAPOLIS 2010
On May 16, 2010 the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation hosted a very special Day at the Races program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
We were honored to include as guests 2010 Miss Wheelchair Indiana, Joey Murello and 2009 Miss Wheelchair Indiana Emily Munson.
Sparkling, Vegas-Themed Evening Included Live Auction, Dinner, Drivers and a Memorable Award Ceremony
Each year the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation plays host for a “Racing to Recovery Gala”
NEWS
¦ April 7, 2010
ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GALA COMING UP IN MAY!
Reprinted from "Thru Noggle's Goggles" e-Newsletter by Jon Viv
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation has mailed thousands of invitations to those who would like to attend their 11th annual "Racing to Recovery" gala and also to those who would like to contribute financially to their cause. The event this year will be held on Wednesday, May 19 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at a new location. The Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel at 11925 North Meridian Street in Carmel, IN will be hosting the event. Available during the four-hour period will be cocktails, a dinner buffet and silent and live auctions. Reserved seats are $200 each while open seating is $125.
This year's "Legendary Driver Award" will be presented to Parnelli Jones. Others in years past include Rick Mears, Al Unser, and Mario Andretti. The winner each year is hand picked by Sam Schmidt and they are chosen from a list of Sam's heroes.
Parnelli Jones is considered one of the most talented race car drivers of all time. Starting his career in southern California, intentionally rolling and flipping cars in a field near his home, he participated in his first race as a Jalopy driver in the early 1950's. Parnelli developed his skills racing in many different classes of cars. He won the Midwest United States Auto Club sprint car title in 1960 and the USAC sprint car championship outright in both 1961 and 1962, driving the famous #98 Fike Plumbing Special. He came from California to the Midwest about the same time as Jim Hurtubise and the two were rivals throughout much of their careers.
Jones won several stock car events in the various divisions of Nascar. He went on to race IndyCars and, in 1961, was named "Co-Rookie of the Year" at Indianapolis with Bobby Marshman. Winning the 500 in 1963, he also finished 7th in 1962, 2nd in 1965, and 6th in 1967 when a bearing cost him the win with only four laps to go in the turbine car.
Always a great qualifier, Parnelli started no worse than 6th in his seven races at Indy. After retiring from driving with six IndyCar wins, Jones became a racecar owner winning three straight USAC National Championships and two back-to-back Indy 500's (1970, 1971) with Al Unser, Sr. in the Johnny Lightning car.