Museum of American Speed
The Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a non-profit corporation founded in 1992 by "Speedy" Bill and Joyce Smith. This 135,000 sq. ft. museum was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive Racing Engine and Speed Equipment development.... also to preserve, interpret, and display items significant in racing and automotive history. The collection results from the Smiths' personal involvement in racing and hot rodding, and their lifelong passion for collecting and preserving racing and automotive history.
Bill and Joyce have first hand knowledge of racing and performance history as they have actively raced and sold speed and power equipment for over 60 years. Bill's six decades of experience began in the 1940's when he raced roaring roadsters on half mile county fair tracks. In the 50's and 60's he raced dragsters, stock cars, NASCAR, modifieds and sprint cars.
The 1970's was a memorable decade for Bill as he raced Champ dirt cars and sprint cars with drivers known as the original "Outlaw" racers. They won races from coast to coast including the Sprint Car Nationals and the Hulman Classic. Bill's winning ways continued during the 1980's and 90's when he raced AIS Indy cars, Pikes Peak cars and Bonneville Streamliners. Driving legends such as Tiny Lund, Jan Opperman, Larry Dickson, Ron Shuman and Doug Wolfgang were some of the 90+ drivers to have raced the "4x" car for "Speedy" Bill Smith.
Thousands of laborious hours have been spent, as Bill puts it; "turning over rocks" and chasing countless leads to build a collection of this magnitude. Mix in some clever deal making and Bill's uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time and you have some idea as to how he has made this automotive museum a dream come true.
Speedway Motors is a proud supporter of the Smith Collection Museum of American Speed. Known as America's Oldest Speed Shop, Speedway Motors was founded in 1952 by "Speedy" Bill and Joyce Smith, who continue to run the family-owned business with the help of their four sons, Carson, Craig, Clay and Jason.
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