All-Star Showdown: Eric Schmidt preview

Schmidt and Joiner team up for Golden State Racing assault on All-Star Showdown

Roseville, Calif. - 2006 SRL Southwest Tour champion Eric Schmidt of Roseville, Calif. and the Golden State Racing team will be competing in the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Late Model 75 on January 24 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

Schmidt will be teamed up with 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series West championship crew chief Ty Joiner.

"Hopefully with Ty's experience we'll be good right off the trailer," Schmidt said. "I've known Ty for 8 or 9 years and its fun to have a different outlook on how to set up the car."

Schmidt, who was also the 2007 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., spent much of the 2008 as a driver coach and crew chief for Golden State Racing development drivers Kristin Bumbera and Laura Hayes.

Schmidt competed in two NASCAR Camping World Series West events, nearly pulling off the win in his series debut in March at Roseville.

Late in 2008, he resumed his role in Golden State Racing late models, picking up a win and three top-fives in three starts throughout a competitive October Open Show schedule.

Saturday's Late Model event during the Showdown will feature an array of Late Model talent from all over the country, including many talented drivers from California. Schmidt joins as many as a dozen Northern California standouts who will be in competition.

Golden State Racing has been busy making changes to their car to prepare it for the rule book in place.

"We decided to go as close as possible to what their rules are and we've had to change quite a bit of stuff," Schmidt said. "Our cars are quite a bit different from what they run. All the changes are intimidating."

"(The prestige of the race) is definitely a motivation for us. It's a great race to watch as a fan, but even better as a competitor. There's a real good chance for us to win."

Golden State Racing will be making its 2009 driver announcement and season plans announcement on Friday January 23, in conjunction with NASCAR announcements of its Drive for Diversity candidates. 2009 will mark Golden State's second season as a part of the Drive for Diversity program.

-credit: gsr