Famous Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society Luncheon
Sam Schmidt, winning INDYCAR team owner and the founder of Conquer Paralysis Now, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon of the prestigious Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society (MASCDCS) in New York City on Tuesday, September 3.
In his speech, Schmidt will recount his inspiring life story that’s seen the Las Vegas resident bounce back from a tragic accident that left him a quadriplegic and ended his racing career to become a successful team owner and celebrated advocate for spinal cord injury research, treatment and an eventual cure.
Schmidt earned his first win as an IndyCar driver at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September 1999. Just four months later, he was involved in a crash during testing where he sustained a C-3 level spinal cord injury. Determined not to let the setback slow him down, Schmidt soon ventured into race team ownership and founded the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit and the forerunner of Conquer Paralysis Now CPN).
In the ensuing years, CPN has raised more than $40 million to fund spinal cord injury scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances that lead toward a cure. In 2018, CPN opened its first DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center in Las Vegas, where individuals with disabilities can improve their physical, mental and emotional health, increase independence, and enhance their overall quality of life using a holistic approach to wellness.
All the while, Schmidt built what began as Sam Schmidt Motorsports into a winning mainstay in the NTT INDYCAR Series. Now known as the Arrow McLaren team of which Schmidt is part owner, the team has partnered with McLaren’s Formula 1 team since 2021. Arrow McLaren fields three full-time cars this year in the NTT INDYCAR Series for drivers Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi and Nolan Siegel.
“I am honored that the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society asked me to speak at their luncheon,” Schmidt said. “It’s a renowned organization known nationwide for its dedication to the automobile experience and these entertaining lunches. I am humbled to join the list of legendary speakers.”
MASCDCS was founded in 1957 as a way for like-minded individuals to gather and share their passion for sports cars and automobile competition. Members and speakers over the years have included the likes of Walter Cronkite, Brock Yates, Edsel Ford, Bill France Sr., Janet Guthrie, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, David Hobbs, Sam Posey and many more.
Jim Donick, Chairman of the Madison Avenue Sports car Driving and Chowder Society, is eager to add Schmidt to the impressive list of speakers.
“Sam is an inspiration, not just to motoring enthusiasts like the Chowder Society, but to the broader society,” Donick said. “His story is moving and we are happy to be able to share it to a wider audience.”
About Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt is a resident of the Las Vegas area. He was an IndyCar driver before suffering an injury in practice in January 2000 in which he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. He created the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) that year to raise funds for medical research, innovative equipment used for rehabilitation, and quality-of-life issues. In 2014, the foundation was rebranded as Conquer Paralysis Now with a mission to cure paralysis while assisting those who are already disabled. Today, besides chairing Conquer Paralysis Now, Sam is a highly successful businessperson and INDYCAR team co-owner with Arrow McLaren Racing.
Please join us in wishing Sam Schmidt, the founder of Conquer Paralysis Now, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! đ
— Conquer Paralysis Now (@NowConquer) August 16, 2024
Sam's unwavering determination continues to break barriers and inspire countless lives.#HappyBirthday #SamSchmidt #ConquerParalysisNow #DRIVEN pic.twitter.com/ZatGMT1MQp
About Conquer Paralysis Now
Conquer Paralysis Now is a 501c3 nonprofit devoted to furthering advancements in spinal cord injury research and treatment. In 2018, CPN created a program called DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center to fill the gap for services for people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions which affect mobility. For more information, visit the CPN website at Conquer Paralysis Now.
About DRIVEN
DRIVEN is a multidisciplinary center located at 701 E. Bridger Ave., Suite 150, Las Vegas, where individuals with disabilities can improve their physical, mental and emotional health, increase independence, and enhance their overall quality of life using a holistic approach to wellness. A second location will open in September 2024 at 1300 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis. DRIVEN provides options for individuals with disabilities to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. While offering a variety of new opportunities, DRIVEN also coordinates with existing programs in the area that cater to this population to ensure that all of their needs are met. For more information, visit the DRIVEN website at www.drivenlv.org.
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