Indoor Racing Museum Unveiled in Speedway Resident's Home

SPEEDWAY, IN — Kirby Smock, a lifelong Speedway resident and devoted racing enthusiast, has dedicated a significant portion of his home to his passion. A testament to his dedication is the extensive collection of racing memorabilia that fills his walls and shelves.Smock's journey into the world of racing began in his youth when his father was involved in car racing. He recalls attending races with his family as a child, saying "There were a couple of summers where, every Sunday, we'd go through races. And I just got interested in it." His fascination deepened after graduating high school and attending his first Indy 500."It's like being an alcoholic. Once you get hooked, you can't stop," he reflected on his lifelong passion for racing.Over the years, Smock has documented his experiences, starting a scrapbook in 1946 that sparked his interest in collecting. While many of his memorabilia have been sold or given away, each item retains significant personal value to him."I could probably sell that picture for a hundred dollars," he said while pointing to a picture of the Unser family next to their cars. "But I would never do it." He explained, "To me, that's as important as collecting it—to see that somebody gets it that appreciates the effort and time I put into it."Smock has also noticed changes in accessibility over the years. "Back in the 70s and 80s, the drivers were so much more accessible than they are now. And I've got to know quite a few of them," he said.As he walks through his home filled with memories, Smock feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "I think probably the message is how lucky I was to be able to see what I've seen. Ain't no place else you're going to go and get this big a crowd on one day. And I'm part of it. I'm one of these people that's here. And to me, how fortunate can you be?"Looking to the future, Smock has set his sights on reaching a remarkable milestone: attending 75 consecutive races by 2029, when he will celebrate his 92nd birthday.