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IRL: Schmidt determined to come back for December testing

28 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS-- Injured Pep Boys Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt said theres no doubt Ill make the first race of 2000.

That would be the fifth annual Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway on Jan. 22.

Schmidt, 35, suffered serious foot injuries in a crash during the season-ending Mall.com 500 on Oct. 17 at Texas Motor Speedway. He was flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where Dr. Kevin Scheid has performed two surgeries, the latest on Oct. 25.

Schmidt, who won his first career Indy Racing pole and race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 25-26, is scheduled to be released by this weekend to return to his Henderson, Nev., home.

Despite the severe injuries to his feet, Schmidt thinks he will be sufficiently healed to participate in the leagues Open Test on Dec. 10-11 at the Walt Disney World 1-mile oval.

We (Treadway Racing team) have aggressive plans to try to get back in time for the first test in Orlando, he said. Its attainable.

While Schmidt recuperated in the hospital, Kelley Racing driver Scott Sharp stepped into Schmidts car during two days of Firestone tire testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 25-26. Sharp accidentally bumped the side of Schmidts car at Texas on a restart, causing it to spin and drive head-on into the outside wall on the main straight.

My left foot was pretty broken up, Schmidt said. (Dr.) Kevin (Scheid) kind of yanked it into shape. It wasnt pleasurable.

It feels great, he added about the outcome of the surgery.

Schmidt praised the construction of the car that protected his legs and feet.

He will make his first public appearance following the accident at the Pep Boys Indy Racing League Awards Ceremony on Nov. 13 in the Murat Theater at Indianapolis. Schmidt intends to return early for a checkup on his progress.

Schmidt finished fifth in the final Pep Boys Indy Racing League standings this season.

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