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Speedway Motors’ Bill Smith named to Nebraska Business Hall
of Fame
LINCOLN, Neb. (January 20, 2011) – From the street to the racetrack,
“Speedy” Bill Smith knows how to win. The founder and president of Speedway
Motors adds another victory to his long list of awards and accomplishments
by being inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.
The award will be presented Feb. 3 by Gov. Dave Heineman during the annual
meeting of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Cornhusker
Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.
With this honor, Smith joins an elite group of innovative entrepreneurs that
includes nationally renowned business leaders such as Nebraska’s own Warren
Buffet.
The Nebraska Business Hall of Fame acknowledges business leaders whose
contributions to the state’s economy and business environment deserve public
acclaim. Smith’s induction recognizes his six decades of business success
with Speedway Motors, the Lincoln-based company that has grown from humble
beginnings to become a leading force in specialty automotive parts for
street rods, racing and performance vehicles worldwide.
“I’m greatly honored to receive such a distinguished award,” Smith said.
“The racing and hot rodding business has been a lifelong passion for me and
it’s a fantastic feeling to be recognized for following my dreams.”
Smith noted that keeping Speedway Motors headquartered in Nebraska many not
have made the most business sense but it was a decision about which he never
thought twice.
“There was always much more hot rodding activity on the West Coast, and
there were probably other locations where I could have been closer to the
racing and rodding communities,” he said. “But Lincoln is home. It’s where
my roots are. I knew if I could make it here, the success would be that much
sweeter.”
Founded in a 20×20-foot building in 1952, Speedway Motors has grown to
become a worldwide manufacturing and retail leader for the street rod and
circle track racing markets. Widely known as America’s Oldest Speed Shop,
the company has more than 300 employees its Lincoln headquarters and the
Boonville, Ind., location of its subsidiary, Afco Performance.
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