Our Story
About us
As a verified 501(c)(3) public charity, Scholarships for Speedway, Inc. provides transparent access to all tax and organizational records on request. We empower students by converting memorial gifts and alumni donations into meaningful educational funding. Contributors can support our General Scholarship Fund or a specific award at any point during the year to help local seniors.
In 1989, a small group of dedicated Speedway citizens had a dream of providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors living in Speedway, Indiana. They pooled their own funds to establish this scholarship organization and awarded one $500 scholarship that year.
In 1990, with assistance from other community members, they awarded five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors. Also that year, our Endowment Fund was established with help from the Speedway Parent-Teacher Association.
In 1991, the first annual phone-a-thon raised enough funds to award sixteen $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors.
In 1993 and 1994, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along with numerous local businesses, joined us in our “Racing for Education” program to build up our Endowment Fund. This Endowment Fund is used to support the continuing education of Speedway college students working toward their first undergraduate degree.
Scholarships are awarded annually to graduating seniors at the SHS Honor Night program. Scholarships are also awarded annually in July to college students who are residents of Speedway.
In 2013, a re-organization of our group took place and we are now strictly a local organization continuing the same mission.
As of May, 2026 there have been 1,807 scholarships totaling $1,711,200 awarded to Speedway students pursuing a post-secondary education.
2026
board of trustees
OFFICERS
MEMBERS
President: Debby Gonzales
Vice President: Karen Welch
Treasurer: Regina Neal
Secretary: Lisa Watts
• Gina Grove
• Dennis Hammer
• Mindy Lewis-Hitch
• Christie Sears
• Tom Smith
• Scott Speer