Racing is a way of life for the Schmidts, who are prepping for the 30th annual Pleasureland RV Show & Go July 1-3 at Brainerd International Raceway.

Schmidt races a custom-built car based off of a 1989 Camaro.

“There isn’t a stocked piece of anything on this car,” said Greg’s father Al Schmidt.

The car is naturally aspirated with more than 1100 horsepower. It is fueled by 300-500 horsepower nitrous-oxide and sports a big block Chevy 632 cubic-inch engine. It also has a BTE powerglide transmission and a Ford nine-inch rear end. All parts are completely removable, including doors, which allows ease of maintenance. It has a fiberglass body tube chassis with a steel frame.

“Bad Influence,” the car’s villainous nickname, stems from a shop customer who does business with the Schmidts regularly. Every time he would see their race car he would order new parts for his own car telling the Schmidts, “that car is a bad influence,” and the name stuck.

The Schmidts own and operate Paradigm Automotive Repair & Performance in Brainerd where they offer general repair to all vehicles as well as providing parts, service, and consultation to all customers in the racing business. Al stresses their shop offers advice to many fellow racers.

“I’m not going to hold back on any secrets,” Al Schmidt said. “If they want to know what we’re doing and they come to our shop we fix it for them.”

Greg specializes in performance aspects of racing engines as well as running the day-to-day shop operations. Al, a former racer, passed the wheel to his son. Al takes care of the mechanics of the drag and specializes in suspension at the shop. Greg’s mother, Joelle Schmidt, a former Chevy S10 truck racer herself, does the shops bookkeeping and helps in the pit.

Greg’s girlfriend, Crystal Roste, even gets in on the action at the track performing some of the pit duties that keep the car running.

“I didn’t know anything about racing until I met him (Greg) and now I love it,” Roste said.

Greg graduated from Northwest Technical College in 2009 with a degree in Performance Engine Machining. He spent a few years in Las Vegas fine-tuning his craft and returned to the family business in 2012.

Most after-hours time is spent working on or racing the car.

“Even our vacations are around racing,” said Joelle. Roste added: “They are here (at the shop) a million hours.”

With one of his fastest times of 7.745 seconds at 179.4 miles per hour, Greg won last year’s Head’s Up Class for the BIR muscle series event becoming the first local driver to win the category. He was also one of 180 drivers honored at this year’s annual BIR Racer’s Banquet.

Greg and Al built their first car together when Greg was eight. Now racing for 20 years, there are a few things Greg would change. One change would be to get out of dirt track racing and into drag sooner. Another change would be taking racing more seriously early in his career.

Greg does not take racing lightly. He emphasises safety, alertness, and professionalism.

“I’m safer in our car right now than I am on the street,” Greg said. “I actually have safety equipment that is a step above what I’m supposed to have. I have two fears in life, drowning and burning alive. Luckily you can’t do both at the same time.”

While discussing fellow racers. Greg said, “One of the main reasons why we enjoy being involved with racing is the sense of family we have with the race community.”

Al added: “Other racers are all extended family to us.”