The Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque is closing its doors and moving to join a larger collection in Nebraska, as part of the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, as the two collections have announced a merger.
The Unser Racing Museum has been open for about 18 years, but announced on May 19 that it would merge with the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, according to a story by KRQE. The Unser Racing Museum will provide a collection of memorabilia to the speed museum from the family that won the Indianapolis 500 a total of nine times, including cars, photos, video, trophies, racing gear and more.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Museum of American Speed to create exciting, historical, and educational exhibits to highlight the Unser Collection," Susan Unser, spokesperson of Board of the Unser Racing Museum said in the story. “In motorsports, the Unser name is recognized worldwide, and we believe merging with the #1 nationally ranked Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed will provide not only a larger national, but also international, platform for this collection of the Unser’s iconic racing legacy."
The Unser Racing Museum will officially close on May 29, KRQE reported. Albuquerque city councilors moved to secure millions of dollars toward finding a new location for the nonprofit museum earlier this year, possibly as part of a plan to revitalize Route 66.
A $15-million capital outlay request to state lawmakers was made by Westside Councilor Klarissa Peña, seeking funds to move the museum to Central Avenue. Lawmakers approved $450,000 for the relocation, and the council approved a general obligation bond question of $4 million for the museum in April, which is still expected to go before voters this fall.
State and museum officials have not clarified as to what would happen to the cash if the museum is already gone when voters pass the bill, KRQE reported.