Interview with Kristi Schmitt (NASCAR
Southwest Tour & Northwest Tour)
Louis Stone-Collonge
www.scatracing.com
22 Born October 2, 1980 Hobbies
Racing of course, working on my racecars, camping,
swimming, traveling, and spending time with family and
friends Where have you raced?
Shasta Speedway in Anderson, CA; Mesa Marin Raceway in
Bakersfield, CA; Altamont Raceway in Tracy, CA: Evergreen
Speedway in Monroe, WA; Wenatchee Valley Super Oval in
Wenatchee, WA; Tri Cities Raceway in W. Richland, WA;
Tucson Raceway Park in Tucson, AZ; Complete the Advanced
Driving Experience at the Richard Petty Driving Experience
at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV What
series/divisions do you compete in?
Two of NASCAR's Elite Division Series, which are the
Raybestos Brakes Northwest Tour series and the Featherlite
Southwest Tour series, and also Davey Hamilton's SRL Wild
Wes Late Model Shootout. How did get into racing?
My grandfather, Bill Schmitt, is a four time NASCAR
Winston West Series Champion. My mom was a scorer for his
team and my dad was the front tire changer for the team.
So of course I got to go along with them to all the races.
I was immediately interest in the race cars, the speed and
the competition. Then we began attending the go-kart races
at a near by town. My dad asked me if I wanted to try them
out; I was hooked. And, that is how I began racing.
How long have you been involved in racing?
Began racing go-karts when I was eleven years old. For my
sixteenth birthday my dad and mom bought me a late model,
and on my sixteenth birthday I raced in my first late
model race. Then in 2001, we bought a tour car and that is
car in which I am currently competing. What do you
enjoy most about racing?
I enjoy everything about racing. The speed, the
excitement, the competition, and the thrill that you get
every time that you get onto the racetrack.
Do you get to spend much time with the
fans in the stands?
Almost every track that I attend they have a
autograph time. All drivers can go over to the
stands and sign autographs it is very fun.
Then after the race fans have a chance to come
over to the pits and meet the drivers.
What are your goals in racing?
My goals are, well of course to someday work my way to the
race in Winston Cup. But for now the goals are to do my
best and drive my hardest on every lap, to look at the
brighter side of things even when something goes wrong,
and to think before I act on and off the race track.
Have you ever really lost it at the track; have you ever
just blown up at another driver or something like that at
the track?
I have come close to losing it at the track. But I don't
let any one see. I am not the type of person that does
that. Plus, why would I want my fans to see me as a driver
behave that way. All you end up doing is looking stupid.
Do you think that there are still many barriers to
women getting into racing?
No matter what anyone says, there is still a barrier for
any women wanting to get into racing. Hopefully one day it
won't always be that way. Every sport that you see almost
anywhere, people see and still think that the men's league
or division is better and a lot of them will always think
that way. So we have to prove them wrong. Have you
ever thought, "you know what, I don’t belong here" or "am
I out of my mind, what I am doing even trying to race with
the guys?" I guess what I am asking is, do you ever
question yourself in wanting to be a racer?
I don't look at myself as being out there with the guys. I
love to do what I do and I have accomplished many goals
that I have set for myself. I love being on the racetrack
behind the wheel. What was your best experience in
racing?
Well there are a couple things on my best experience list,
but I think that this one tops them all. In 1997 my first
year of racing late models at Shasta Speedway in Anderson,
CA; I received Rookie of the Year Award.
What was your worst racing experience?
My worst racing experience, well this one
comes to mind. In 1998, my second year of
racing late models at Shasta Speedway, it was
the season opening night, I set fast time, won
the Trophy Dash, won my heat race, and lead
the Main Event feature the whole race and with
two laps to go the second place car just
turned me around in the middle of the corner.
What do you feel about "pay back" on the racetrack?
Pay packs? Well, depending on the situation--depending on
what has happened. There are some things that are done on
purpose and there are some things that are mistakes.
What advice would you give someone looking to get started
in racing?
I would tell them, never ever give up. Don't let the other
drivers, especially if you are competing against men, ever
see you get frustrated or mad. Then they win, because that
means that they are accomplishing their goal. They want
you to go away, and not return. Seriously do you think
that a man wants to be beat by a woman? No, I think not.
Stand firm, mature, with your head held high. Revenge will
come in the future for the ones that do what they do. Just
focus and stay strong. I am stuck by your comment
where you said don’t let them see you "get frustrated or
mad." Every weekend, I see drivers, crew members or team
owners go off in the most blistering rants (I have done
this myself on occasion). Why would this seemingly normal
part of racing (blowing off steam) be okay for the guys
but not for the women?
It is not okay for anyone to blow off steam or go off on
anyone at the racetracks. Before anyone does you have to
say to yourself. Do I want people to think that I am that
kind of person? Well I don't. So why don't drivers,
crewmembers, or team owners sleep on it for a night. The
next day find the people and talk about it. Then you don't
have to worry about your fans, who should be the most
important; don't see the drivers and their teams act that
way. Louis Stone-Collonge is the team owner for S.
Cat. Racing (www.scatracing.com)
in Campbell California. S. Cat. Racing is a sophomore race
team that fields exclusively female drivers. Currently, S.
Cat. Racing is racing Mini Super Trucks at a local NASCAR
track (Altamont Raceway Park) and, has plans to expand
into SCCA and NASA divisions. When Louis is not racing, he
is also works as a web designer/manager, has a degree in
Religious Studies and far too many graduate units in Media
and Cultural Studies
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