Starting from modest beginnings in go-karts, he began to build a reputation as a no-nonsense racer, a trait that he continued to bring to the seat of the Jerry Schild Racing team.
After several more years of competition on the go-kart circuits, he stepped up to the challenges of the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman features at Meyer Speedway.
He worked his way up on the circuit eventually gain sponsorship from legendary A. J. Foyt, as well as Red Adair, continuously proving his exceptional driving abilities throughout several seasons to follow, earning many trophies for his sponsors.
In 1974, Jerry made five Grand National appearances racing alongside such veterans as David Pearson, Benny Parsons, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Bobby & Donnie Allison, Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip, and Harry Grant.
Cale Yarborough, winner of the race, was quoted as saying "a lot of veterans might do well to take driving lessons from teen-aged Jerry Schild."
He drove a d total of 1,750.1 miles (2,816.5 km) in the top level of American stock car racing; the equivalent of 1142 laps.
His philosophy centered on "pure driving talent" as opposed to having first-tier materials as found with modern teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
[1][2] In the 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, Jerry's total career earnings was confirmed at US$8,396 ($51,871.64 when adjusted for inflation).