Kids' Corner

Click on the image at the right, and download our coloring page! Print out the page, and you will then be able to design a '37 Ford Legends car just like the one we race!

Look for more cool stuff... coming soon!

Our Sponsors

Watch this spot - cool stuff coming soon.

Marketing Partnerships

Why consider Marketing Partnerships or Sponsorship Opportunities in local short track racing?

In recent years, automobile racing has become the highest-attended spectator sport in the United States. While several million people attend professional races sanctioned by organizations such as NASCAR, ChampCar and the IRL annually, hundreds of thousands of people attend weekly short-track racing at local tracks across the country.

Motorsports marketing, or race team sponsorship, is one of the most cost-effective methods of advertising. Race fans are extremely brand-loyal. A recent survey showed that almost 72 percent of NASCAR fans polled stated that sponsor influences have a direct effect on their purchases.

We can tailor an inexpensive advertising program to a sponsor's particular needs. In addition to professional graphics on the automobile itself, sponsors will be prominently placed in our web site. Since we utilize an open trailer, the car also becomes a rolling "billboard" during our trips to and from the track.

If you own a business in or near the Barberton, Lorain or Midvale/New Philadelphia areas, and you would like to learn more about inexpensive advertising through exposure in the Northern Ohio Legends Series and related appearances, please e-mail us by clicking on the “contact us” button below.

Craig Schmidt - Race Wins Through 2008

Season/ Speedway	Dash Wins	Heat Wins	Pursuit Wins	LCR Wins	Feature Wins	Totals
1996 Painesville	0	1	0	0	1	2
1997 Painesville	0	2	0	0	0	2
1998 Painesville	0	0	0	0	0	0
1999 Painesville	2	6	2	0	1	11
2000 Lorain	0	3	0	0	0	3
2001 Lorain	0	0	0	1	0	1
2002- 2005	Did not race due to health issues					0
2006 Legends	0	0	0	0	0	0
2007 Legends	0	0	0	0	0	0
2008 Legends	0	0	0	0	0	0
1996-2008 Totals	2	12	2	1	2	19

The Driver

Craig Schmidt, Owner/Driver

Years Racing: 13

Race Wins: 19 Career Wins including 2 Features

Born: May 7, 1959

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Residence: Mayfield Heights, OH

Family: Wife, Rebecca; Children, Hannah & Lauren

Pets: "Jaz," a Yorkshire Terrier

Education: B.F.A. (Architecture), The Univeristy of Texas at San Antonio; Currently attending Kent State University

Occupation: Engineering CADD Teacher - Mayfield High School/Excel TECC

Hobbies: Online Racing, Computers

Personal Vehicle: 2006 Honda Ridgeline, Mom's 2004 Monte Carlo LS

Trait I admire in a person: Ethics

Traits I don't admire in a person: Disrespect, Hidden Agendas

Favorite Drivers: Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart

Craig's Most Memorable Racing Moments: Finishing second in points and winning 10 races in 1999; Making the Dash in my third start in the Legends car.

Craig's most Embarassing Racing Moment: Spinning out in front of the entire pack while leading at Lorain and causing a big crash, only to learn I had broken out the lap before and was going to be black-flagged the next time by.

Thanks to Our Crew and Supporters

We would like to thank those that support our team with their endless work and input.

Rebecca Schmidt
Trophy Carrier & Our #1 Supporter. Thanks for all your love and support.

Dave Spotton
Fellow Legends Racer. Many thanks to Dave for all his help in getting us back on track in 2007!

Jeff Gibeault
Pit Crewman. A former co-worker, Jeff is an avid stock car racing fan and is now helping us in the pits this season. Thanks for all your help!

Chris Nicastro
Crewman and Photographer. Chris helps us in the pits when his schedule permits, and has also shot some great photos and video seen on this site. We appreciate all your help.

Pat Lane
Technical advisor and mentor. Gives "pep" talks and advice via long distance from San Antonio, TX. Over 200 wins in a stock car and, while I was on his crew, I saw him set a great example.

Thanks to Our Friends in the Stands
Dwain Raikes
Betty French

Thanks to Those Who Have Helped Along the Way
Dennis Knox
Randy Burns
Frank Williams
Johnny, Joanne and "Zip" Ray
Mom & Dad
Alex Lim
Mike Henderson
Ed Poderzay
Kevin Jackson
Chuck Henderson
Marc Mazzarino
Al Burns
Frank & Cathy Lett
Fred Mott
Lee Patrick
Troy Bonnemma
Jerry Mingus
Kathy Percenti
Lou Gyongyosi
Buzz French
Wally, Cora, Harold and Joe Arkkelin
Bob deJohn
Harvey Wiseberg
Jenny Wexler

About Us: Chasing the Dream

May 7, 1971

On May 7, 1971, my Aunt and Uncle took me to the races at Pan American Speedway, in San Antonio, TX, for my 12th Birthday. My uncle, Fred Elbel, raced a ’65 Chevelle in the Super Stock class. He won the feature that night, at the age of 50. It would prove to be his last feature win in a racing career that spanned three decades.

I was hooked. At some point during that season, I told everyone that I was going to race someday. Of course, my Cousins and I all said we were going to race when we grew up. I don’t think anyone believed me. But, I knew I would do it.

After 6 successful seasons behind the wheel at Painesville and Lorain County Speedways, I developed health issues in 2003. At one point, it appeared the problems were worse than they actually were, so I decided to retire from racing. Once I learned the problems weren’t as bad as we had originally thought, I decided to get back behind the wheel.

I made a trade for a Cutlass, and had intended to race again in 2005. While at the Cleveland AutoRama in January 2005, we stopped at the Legends display, and I said, “If I had my druthers, this is what I would race.” My wife, Rebecca, replied, “Then why aren’t you?” I explained the higher initial outlay for a Legend. She actually convinced me to take another year off to get the finances together to go Legends racing.

We took delivery of our Legends car in early December 2005, and have been racing in the Northern Ohio Legends series since that time.

Stay tuned as we return to the track full-time this season.