Jordan Heck

@JordanHeckFF

In 2000 former Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt was involved in an accident that rendered him a quadriplegic. Schmidt is now a Verizon IndyCar Series owner and on Sunday he drove the pace car using only his head movements. He drove his semi-autonomous car in a ceremonial qualification lap after practice.

Schmidt became the first individual ever to drive on a race track semi-autonomous motorcar. He reportedly reached up to 97 mph.

Drivers gathered around to watch the former Verizon IndyCar Series race winner go around the track.

Here's a video explaining how the SAM (semi-autonomous motorcar) Project works.