Nash had Fife's resume, knew he was available and called him. Fife met team owner Sam Schmidt for the first time Thursday night at dinner. Schmidt is a former Indy Racing winner who suffered paralysis from the shoulders down in a test crash in January 2000. Schmidt has formed his team to help in raising funds for spinal-injury research through the Sam Schmidt Foundation. After Atlanta comes the Indianapolis 500.
Fife is excited about becoming more than just a fan for the first time.
He will stay with his aunt and uncle Will and Betsy Fife, lifelong residents of Indianapolis. But working at Indy is the sole goal for Fife. He has never driven a race car and doesn't plan on it, mainly because of his hulking frame. My driving career ended when I was about 12 years old. I wear a size 15 shoe.