Sam Schmidt Motorsports will arrive at Watkins Glen
International this weekend as part of the Menards
Infiniti Pro Series' inaugural visit to "The Glen."
Team owner Sam Schmidt has driven in races at the
famous upstate New York track and is excited to share
the experience with his rookie drivers.
Travis Gregg, a 27-year-old from Camden, Ohio, drives
Schmidt's #7 Lucas Oil Special. Gregg, who has gained
attention for his backflips in celebration of his
three race wins (Miami, Texas, Kentucky), has five
pole positions (Miami, Phoenix, Texas, Kentucky, Pikes
Peak) and has led 222 laps in the MIPS this season.
Gregg is second in the championship standings with 408
points, only 23 points behind the leader. He has been
a contender in the title chase throughout the season -
it has come down to the last two races to settle the
score.
Jaime Camara, 24, a Brazilian native residing in
Miami, Fla., is fifth in the standings with 357
points. Driving Schmidt's #1 CELG, Goias entry,
Camara has three pole positions (Indianapolis,
Nashville, Milwaukee), three outside pole positions
(Homestead, Phoenix, Kentucky) and two wins
(Indianapolis, Nashville).
Chris Festa, 19, of Atlanta, Ga, the youngest of
Schmidt's drivers, is sixth in the series standings
with 323 points. Festa led his first MIPS lap at
Texas, where he qualified second. His best finish
this year was second at Phoenix. He also has two
third place finishes (Indianapolis road course and
Texas). The teenager drives Schmidt's #19 SpacePak,
CareCentric entry and attends classes at Florida State
University.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports is also a means of promoting
and publicizing the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.
The Foundation was created by Schmidt to help
individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other
neurological disorders. Schmidt is currently
recovering from serious upper spinal cord injuries
suffered in a testing accident on January 6, 2000
while practicing for the season-opening Indy Racing
League event at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando,
Fla. Further information is available at
www.samschmidt.org or (317) 236-9999
Racer Magazine announced they will auction a limited
production Firestone poster to be signed by all 30
drivers who have won while driving on Firehawk tires.
The auction will be held on eBay in October with the
proceeds to be split between two key Indy Racing
League charities, Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and
CARA Charities.
Here are some thoughts from the drivers and owner
heading into the Watkins Glen weekend:
SAM SCHMIDT, Owner, Sam Schmidt Motorsports:
"When I hear the words 'Watkins Glen', my reaction is
simple - truly a classic American road course. I
enjoyed racing there in the '90's and can't wait to go
back with the IndyCars. Obviously, this will be a
critical race for Travis to succeed and continue
gaining ground on Wade (Cunningham, series point
leader). For all our guys, I'm hoping it's a fun,
smooth weekend."
TRAVIS GREGG, #7 Lucas
Oil Special, Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:
"This will be my first trip
to The Glen - I've watched a lot of races from the
track on TV. For me, honestly, the primary focus has
to be points. All season we've been in a close battle
for the championship - leading, then trailing, then
leading, then trailing. In July we lost some ground
but we've been able to pick up some points lately. I
know I need to have a clean race, and use what I've
learned on the other road races this year."
JAIME CAMARA, #1 CELG, Goias, Sam Schmidt
Motorsports Entry:
"For the team and me and, I think, for many of the Pro
Series drivers, this will be our first experience with
the Watkins Glen circuit. It will be a nice experience
to learn another new track and I hope I can get the
most of it this weekend. I'm counting on my previous
experience on road courses and also on my team. I
think it will be great to be on a road course again
just a few weeks after Sonoma."
CHRIS FESTA, #19 SpacePak, CareCentric, Sam Schmidt
Motorsports Entry:
"Watkins Glen is a very historic track in the U.S. so
it will be a great thing for IndyCar racing to return
to the track. It's a very fast track, so aero balance
is important as well as pushing the car as hard as
possible to get the most speed out of it. High speed
tracks are always a lot of fun to drive and will
challenge us in making passes. I am really excited to
be back on a road course and to race on a track as
historic as Watkins Glen."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Richard N. (Chip) Williams, Williams Company of
America, Inc.
502 E. Center Ave., Mooresville, NC 28115 (704)
660-0796 FAX: (704) 660-0886
email:
chip.williams@mindspring.com
www.williamscompany.com (digitized high-res
photos available for media downloading)
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