Sam started rebuilding cars with his dad, working in a machine shop taking apart street and race motors, doing machine work, and putting back together.

At 24 years of age, Sam was injured in an auto accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. He got divorced and raised his son, and after a couple years, went back to racing.

Sam had no job, just time and a young boy on his hands. He started with a NASCAR Winston West car for Butch Gilliland and won a championship, then helped Gilliland's son David get started at the local dirt track, late model, South West tour, Winston West, and eventually after a long winning streak drives in NASCAR's premier division for Yates #38 car. Sam learned about Accessible Racing this year and has agreed to help Accessible Racing develop a new program.