Museum of American Speed

by Bob Mays

Voted the Nation’s #1 Motor Racing Museum

The Museum of American Speed is more than a museum — it’s an active tribute to America’s love affair with racing and hot rodding. Founded as a non-profit, the museum’s mission is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the machines, people, and stories that shaped the automobile and racing history. At its core it’s the Smith Family’s lifelong passion for collecting and safeguarding the artifacts that define speed and innovation.

A display at the American Museum of Speed

Step inside and you’ll be transported through time with the rarest collection of cars, engines, memorabilia, vintage motorcycles, art, and new galleries like BMX racing, Pikes Peak, and more. From thousands of Model T accessories to fascinating cutaway engines, every display tells a story. More than 300 meticulously restored antique and exotic racing engines roar to life in your imagination. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of pedal cars while toys and other automobilia trace the playful side of automotive history. Explore 250,000 sq ft with three full floors of immersive displays and dioramas, every corner promises a new discovery.

One of the crown jewels of the museum arrived in 2025: Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America. This legendary land speed car was the first to shatter the 400-mph barrier in 1963 and the 500 mph barrier in 1964, cementing its place as one of the most iconic machines of the 20th century. The Spirit of America was painstakingly restored by the museum’s expert crew and now proudly anchors the Land Speed Gallery.

A display in the American Museum of Speed

Also in 2025, the museum welcomed a new chapter of racing history with the rebirth of the Unser Racing Museum. The Unser family’s story is woven into nearly every era of American motorsports — from Louie Unser’s early triumphs at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, to the Indy 500 victories of Bobby, Al, and Al Jr., and on to fifth-generation racer Loni Unser. As Museum Director Carson Smith explained, “The Unser family is one of the most storied families in automotive and racing history. We’ve had partnerships with them for over 38 years, and it’s an honor to bring their legacy here.”

The Unser Racing Collection spans IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC stock cars, SCCA road racing, and more, offering fans an up-close look at the artifacts and achievements of a dynasty that defined speed.

Looking ahead, the Museum is putting the finishing touches on a new interactive children’s area, designed to spark the next generation’s passion for cars and racing. The exhibit is expected to debut in the early 2026 season.

With its world-class collection and ever-expanding exhibits, the Museum of American Speed isn’t just preserving history — it’s bringing it to life.