To the Women Who Quietly Do It All
To the entrepreneurs putting in countless hours to start something—weary to the bone, but filled with a fire...
To the moms raising kids, attending cub scout meetings, getting dinner on the table and trying to prevent broken bones...
To the women who build things from scratch, as part of a team or alone in the garage, striving to make something amazing.
To the women who quietly do it all... we see you. We celebrate you. We are you.
Speedway Motors was started with a loan from one powerful, incredible woman. Entrepreneur, mother, partner…here’s to OUR woman who started it all.
70 years ago, when they were just starting out, Joyce and “Speedy” Bill Smith were a partnership made in heaven. Bill was the face, the mover, the shaker, the guy you met at trade shows.
And Joyce was the grace, compassion and leadership in the trenches—day in and day out.
She showed up. Every day. Always with a calm, caring exterior—but steadfastly running the ship, keeping track of the finances, the people, the order receipts.
After every interaction with Joyce, you felt seen. She genuinely cared about you, respected you and made you feel important. From the janitor to the order taker, the people shipping the boxes and beyond. She knew your name and always said hello. After talking with her, you always felt special.
And after a hard day’s work? She went home, volunteered at the library and church and shuttled her four rascal boys around.
People would walk through fire for her because she was a respected leader.
On this day, seven decades after Joyce loaned Bill $300 to start a small speed shop, we have the HONOR of celebrating her—and countless other strong women that have shaped our world. Their achievements and dedication built our path forward.
Still family-owned, 70 years later, Speedway Motors has helped millions of customers build, race and drive their dream cars. When you buy something at Speedway Motors, you’re not buying from a big box store, you’re buying from a family. A family that was built, led and encouraged by Joyce Smith.
Today we honor Joyce’s legacy: the business she created, the industry she changed and the family she built.
Without her, we wouldn’t be here today. What an incredible life lead by a truly spectacular woman.
And we know if you're reading this, you're likely a spectacular woman yourself, or you're surrounded by them every day. Today we also celebrate you.
Your place is here.