Biography

“They said I couldn’t do it,” remarked D. William (Bill) Smith of Speedway Motors.  “But I did.”  Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, Speedway is the largest supplier of engine parts, chassis, suspension and body panels for all types of race cars. Known to most as Speedy Bill, he started Speedway in 1952, for manufacturing, on-site retail and high-volume mail-order; it has been called America’s oldest speedshop. Bill’s private collection of refurbished antique racing engines and other collectibles remains one of the nation’s most impressive, and he enjoyed many successes as a race car builder and driver. He served on the SEMA Board of Directors from 1977 to 1978. He was the recipient of the PWA Pioneer Award in 1986, while the National Street Rod Association named him Man of the Year in 1991, and the City of Lincoln presented Speedway Motors with its Cornerstone Award in 1993 in recognition of its phenomenal growth and provision of stable jobs in the city. Hot Rod magazine inducted Bill into its Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2000, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, and served as the Grand Marshall of the Goodguys Street Rod Nationals in 2001.