Sam Schmidt’s drivers finish 1-2 in Houston IndyCar race

Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports, the IndyCar racing team headed by longtime Las Vegas resident Sam Schmidt, is not one of the sport’s larger teams. In baseball terms, SPM probably would be considered the equivalent of the Astros, if the Astros were competitive.

IndyCar was in the Astros’ hometown over the weekend, racing twice in the parking lots surrounding the old Astrodome and the newer NRG Stadium, where the Texans play football.

Schmidt’s drivers, Simon Pagenaud of France and rookie Mikhail Aleshin of Russiam finished 1-2 in the race on Sunday. Pagenaud also started from the pole in Saturday’s race, before falling back due to break problems.

It was the first 1-2 finish ever for Schmidt’s team, and Pagenaud’s second victory of the year. Pagenaud climbed to fourth in the point standings after finishing third last year.

The Astros, meanwhile, are 36-47 and in last place in the A.L. West. They are 16 games out of first and are in danger of being lapped by the Athletics or Helio Castroneves.