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The Death of Racing's Biggest Fan: David Schmidt
April 26, 2024
By: Psycho Billy
I first met David when I was just a racing fan. Maybe in the mid 1990's? It's been a while. Then, just a couple years after starting Psycho Billy Cadillac Fans Tour, I gave him the nickname, "One Race Schmidty." This was a stretch where he would attend 1 out-of-state race and then head back to his job in Nebraska. He would work for a few days, then go to 1 more race. Then repeat and repeat and repeat. He had a few favorite Crown Jewel events in which he would attend every day. I would always see him at Cedar Lake Speedway during all 3 days of the USA Nationals and during the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury American Legion Speedway.
I spoke to his brother-in-law, Alan Murphy. He told me this, "It was a series of illnesses that took it's toll and took his life. He passed away on March 29." This is the day I was covering opening day of the Nippy 50 in Maquoketa. David not returning my phone calls or text messages began to worry me. His phone still had power. That gave me a glimmer of hope. Then after phoning David once again on Wednesday of this past week, I left another voice message. Shortly thereafter Alan called me back on Schmidty's phone. He told me that David died peacefully.
Back in 2021, we lost Jay Stull who was undoubtedly PBC's biggest fan and daily judge for BAC. I hosted a Tribute Tour in his home state that year. David Schmidt was undoubtedly dirt track racing's biggest fan. Now he is gone. I may very well put together a tribute tour for him during one of our Nebraska swings. I have a deep heart and it would be the right thing to do. To honor him as I did with Jay Stull, Rick Eshelman, and Troy Benson.
He always loved hitting new tracks. He made a goal of it. He would call me every winter wanting my national schedule that I would put together. It was impossible for him to hit more events than me. But he would challenge me in hitting brand new venues and would usually beat me in that category. It's hard to say how many racetracks throughout the country he actually visited. Way more than me, I must say. Because he not only loved Late Models, but had an equal love for Midgets which took him to many joints where Super Lates simply don't run. I don't think that he ever missed a Chili Bowl. That was probably his favorite race in the whole wide world.
I have written several pieces about One Race Schmidty and posted photos of him. I was covering a race down in his area couple of years ago. I was passing through his hometown, Hastings, Nebraska. I made that my overnight stop at a local hotel. I called Schmidty, and we went out for dinner at a local sports bar/restaurant. That photo is included below. I bumped into him several times last year. I am so glad that I took that #PsychoSelfie with him. I believe it was the last time that I saw him. The memory of that picture warms my heart.
Switching gears, Carla Rayburn and I had met many years ago. She commented on a post that I did this past year when Schmidty's health took a turn for the worse. I didn't realize that she knew him as well. Many people knew him and surely recognize his face. Carla said Schmidty would always visit the souvenir trailers at the big events. Carla graciously wrote a remembrance piece, which I wanted to include. Here it is.
"The racing world has lost a good friend. I met David (Schmidty) Schmidt in about 2014 while selling t-shirts out of the Moyer trailer. He always came to see me after that to offer a smile and sometimes even a joke or good story. I admired that he would work extra shifts so he could follow dirt racing and more so that he always made it a goal to visit new tracks each year. Not only was he a kind soul but a true race fan. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He will truly be missed by those who knew him. Rest in peace, my friend."
~ Carla Rayburn
April 26, 2024
By: Psycho Billy
I first met David when I was just a racing fan. Maybe in the mid 1990's? It's been a while. Then, just a couple years after starting Psycho Billy Cadillac Fans Tour, I gave him the nickname, "One Race Schmidty." This was a stretch where he would attend 1 out-of-state race and then head back to his job in Nebraska. He would work for a few days, then go to 1 more race. Then repeat and repeat and repeat. He had a few favorite Crown Jewel events in which he would attend every day. I would always see him at Cedar Lake Speedway during all 3 days of the USA Nationals and during the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury American Legion Speedway.
I spoke to his brother-in-law, Alan Murphy. He told me this, "It was a series of illnesses that took it's toll and took his life. He passed away on March 29." This is the day I was covering opening day of the Nippy 50 in Maquoketa. David not returning my phone calls or text messages began to worry me. His phone still had power. That gave me a glimmer of hope. Then after phoning David once again on Wednesday of this past week, I left another voice message. Shortly thereafter Alan called me back on Schmidty's phone. He told me that David died peacefully.
Back in 2021, we lost Jay Stull who was undoubtedly PBC's biggest fan and daily judge for BAC. I hosted a Tribute Tour in his home state that year. David Schmidt was undoubtedly dirt track racing's biggest fan. Now he is gone. I may very well put together a tribute tour for him during one of our Nebraska swings. I have a deep heart and it would be the right thing to do. To honor him as I did with Jay Stull, Rick Eshelman, and Troy Benson.
He always loved hitting new tracks. He made a goal of it. He would call me every winter wanting my national schedule that I would put together. It was impossible for him to hit more events than me. But he would challenge me in hitting brand new venues and would usually beat me in that category. It's hard to say how many racetracks throughout the country he actually visited. Way more than me, I must say. Because he not only loved Late Models, but had an equal love for Midgets which took him to many joints where Super Lates simply don't run. I don't think that he ever missed a Chili Bowl. That was probably his favorite race in the whole wide world.
I have written several pieces about One Race Schmidty and posted photos of him. I was covering a race down in his area couple of years ago. I was passing through his hometown, Hastings, Nebraska. I made that my overnight stop at a local hotel. I called Schmidty, and we went out for dinner at a local sports bar/restaurant. That photo is included below. I bumped into him several times last year. I am so glad that I took that #PsychoSelfie with him. I believe it was the last time that I saw him. The memory of that picture warms my heart.
Switching gears, Carla Rayburn and I had met many years ago. She commented on a post that I did this past year when Schmidty's health took a turn for the worse. I didn't realize that she knew him as well. Many people knew him and surely recognize his face. Carla said Schmidty would always visit the souvenir trailers at the big events. Carla graciously wrote a remembrance piece, which I wanted to include. Here it is.
"The racing world has lost a good friend. I met David (Schmidty) Schmidt in about 2014 while selling t-shirts out of the Moyer trailer. He always came to see me after that to offer a smile and sometimes even a joke or good story. I admired that he would work extra shifts so he could follow dirt racing and more so that he always made it a goal to visit new tracks each year. Not only was he a kind soul but a true race fan. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He will truly be missed by those who knew him. Rest in peace, my friend."
~ Carla Rayburn