Speedway Motors Speedy Bill RIP

[34ford]

Bill Smith, whose interest in racing spawned a world-renowned marketplace for racing parts, died Friday.

D. William "Speedy Bill" Smith was 84.
Smith's death was announced Saturday by Bob Baker, executive director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, during induction weekend events in Knoxville, Iowa.

Smith was a 2000 inductee of the hall of fame, one footnote in a legendary career that coupled hobby with business.

Speedway Motors, the company he founded in 1952, is not only America's oldest speed shop but ranks among the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of parts for racing and street rod markets.

The Speedway Motors campus in west Lincoln includes the Smith Collection Museum of American Speed.

Smith's wife, Joyce, died in August 2013.

[WZ JUNK]

A good man.  I have spent a lot of money with him over the years.  I always got what I paid for, and I got it fast.  Many years ago, at the Americruise, he took us on a private tour of the beginning of the museum.

God's speed, Speedy Bill.

John

[kb426]

He surely was proud of his accomplishments. He has left a great legacy.

[40]

I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with him on many occasions around the country.....Always had time to chat! The auto industry lost a good one,that's for sure.I am sure the loss of his wife of so many years was quite a burden to bare......she was such a huge part of both his business and personal life .....They are now reunited for eternity. Rest In Peace,"Speedy Bill"!

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Bill and his wife did a lot for the hot rodders and the business of hot rodding

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Can't add much to what has been said. Met him a few times and went through the museum a couple times. He was a treasure and the museum is just plain old wonderful.

When my pal Phil and I stopped there on the way to Speed Week a couple years ago the curator gave us a couple hour tour on a closed day.

God speed, Speedy Bill.

Charlie

[jaybee]

I feel like the last few years I've said "we lost one of the greats" a lot as the generation who built hot rodding in the postwar years have reached the end of their lives. That said it's not often you also get to say "I never heard anything bad about him." I never heard anything bad about Speedy Bill. No qualifiers like "doesn't suffer fools gladly", "doesn't like people who waste his time", or "some were careless enough to catch the sharp end of his tongue."

That's the sign of someone who isn't just a great contributor to the hobby/sport, but a great individual as well.

[rumrumm]

You really have to give him credit. He began working out of his garage and built a huge business enterprise. I hope his children can carry on his legacy of quality parts and good customer relations.