Museum of American Speed Named Best Motor Racing Museum by Newsweek
The Museum of American Speed earned top honors in the 2025 Fans' Choice for Best Motor Racing Museum by Newsweek.
The Museum of American Speed was among 16 automotive museums across the country selected by Newsweek editors and voted on by the readers over 28 days to pick their favorite motor racing museum. The Museum of American Speed earned the most votes, scoring the number one spot as Newsweek Readers’ Choice Winner for Best Motor Racing Museum.
The Museum was previously named #1 Attraction for Car Lovers in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards in 2021. Located in Lincoln, Neb., the Museum of American Speed is home to over 250,000 square feet of display space over three levels. The museum was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive Racing Engine and Speed Equipment development and to preserve, interpret, and display items significant in racing and automotive history. Founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith, the collection results from their personal involvement in racing and hot rodding, and their lifelong passion for collecting and preserving racing and automotive history over the past 100 years.
Earlier this year, the museum announced the opening of the Unser and Herzog galleries in its new addition. “The new addition, which opened in 2024, allowed us to add enhanced displays for NASCAR, off-road racing, and grow our already popular land speed, drag racing, and custom show car displays,” said Tim Matthews, Curator, Museum of American Speed. “In addition to bringing the Unser collection together under the same roof, we also added new displays, including Pikes Peak, Sam & Alice Hanks, Parnelli Jones, interactive displays, as well as enhanced designs for motorcycles, sprint cars, land speed, and more.”
The museum also features many other displays, including the largest collection of vintage pedal cars, gas-powered miniature race cars, automobile-themed toys, fine art, lunchboxes, and more.
“The collection is always growing through regular acquisitions, donations, and loans of special vehicles and engines,” said Tim Matthews, curator of the Museum of American Speed. “We are lucky to have so many relationships with friends of the museum who consist of donors, collectors, racers, hot rodders, and other men and women who have helped shape the automotive industry. These relationships—combined with a team of passionate employees and volunteers who are committed to excellence—culminates in a spectacular place where automotive history and the history of American ingenuity are on full display for visitors to experience.”
The Smiths started collecting in 1952—the same year Speedway Motors was founded. Speedway Motors has long been a supporter of the Museum of American Speed. Known as America’s Oldest Speed Shop, Speedway Motors was also founded by “Speedway” Bill and Joyce Smith. Today, their three sons, Carson, Craig, and Clay, continue to run the family-owned business.
“We are proud the Museum of American Speed received this national recognition,” said Clay Smith President/Owner Speedway Motors. “I want to personally thank the passionate fans of our museum for their support and votes. We hope this honor encourages even more automotive enthusiasts to visit us in Lincoln.”
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The Museum of American Speed was among 16 automotive museums across the country selected by Newsweek editors and voted on by the readers over 28 days to pick their favorite motor racing museum. The Museum of American Speed earned the most votes, scoring the number one spot as Newsweek Readers’ Choice Winner for Best Motor Racing Museum.
The Museum was previously named #1 Attraction for Car Lovers in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards in 2021. Located in Lincoln, Neb., the Museum of American Speed is home to over 250,000 square feet of display space over three levels. The museum was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive Racing Engine and Speed Equipment development and to preserve, interpret, and display items significant in racing and automotive history. Founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith, the collection results from their personal involvement in racing and hot rodding, and their lifelong passion for collecting and preserving racing and automotive history over the past 100 years.
Earlier this year, the museum announced the opening of the Unser and Herzog galleries in its new addition. “The new addition, which opened in 2024, allowed us to add enhanced displays for NASCAR, off-road racing, and grow our already popular land speed, drag racing, and custom show car displays,” said Tim Matthews, Curator, Museum of American Speed. “In addition to bringing the Unser collection together under the same roof, we also added new displays, including Pikes Peak, Sam & Alice Hanks, Parnelli Jones, interactive displays, as well as enhanced designs for motorcycles, sprint cars, land speed, and more.”
The museum also features many other displays, including the largest collection of vintage pedal cars, gas-powered miniature race cars, automobile-themed toys, fine art, lunchboxes, and more.
“The collection is always growing through regular acquisitions, donations, and loans of special vehicles and engines,” said Tim Matthews, curator of the Museum of American Speed. “We are lucky to have so many relationships with friends of the museum who consist of donors, collectors, racers, hot rodders, and other men and women who have helped shape the automotive industry. These relationships—combined with a team of passionate employees and volunteers who are committed to excellence—culminates in a spectacular place where automotive history and the history of American ingenuity are on full display for visitors to experience.”
The Smiths started collecting in 1952—the same year Speedway Motors was founded. Speedway Motors has long been a supporter of the Museum of American Speed. Known as America’s Oldest Speed Shop, Speedway Motors was also founded by “Speedway” Bill and Joyce Smith. Today, their three sons, Carson, Craig, and Clay, continue to run the family-owned business.
“We are proud the Museum of American Speed received this national recognition,” said Clay Smith President/Owner Speedway Motors. “I want to personally thank the passionate fans of our museum for their support and votes. We hope this honor encourages even more automotive enthusiasts to visit us in Lincoln.”
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