WARSAW — A book signing will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Buffalo Street Emporium, 116 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, for a newly-released book by Warsaw resident Kim Gregory-Baney.

“If Only Walls Could Talk” contains almost 500 pages of information regarding history and stats of the Warsaw Speedway. The book also features over 300 photos. 

Gregory-Baney has spent 25 years researching, compiling information, typing articles and formatting photos in order to create the book, which holds Warsaw Speedway history from April 1949-August 1990. 

Both of Gregory-Baney’s parents — and many of her family members,  including her great-uncle, track manager C.E. “Hoot” Gibson, worked at the track. 

“I grew up at the Warsaw Speedway,” Gregory-Baney said. “This book is a compilation of all of those articles, photos, interesting tidbits and history of the place so many of us loved.”

As a college student, Gregory-Baney worked as the Advertising and PR Director for the track the last seven years of racing, until the speedway closed in 1990. In that position, Gregory-Baney wrote promotional ads and racing results articles. She later used those articles as the initial base for her book. 

“I’ve had the dream of putting all of these results into book format for 25 years, but finally decided now was the time exactly a year ago,” Gregory-Baney said. “It took me a full year to finish the microfilm research and get everything typed up and formatted.”

The book was officially released Dec. 6.

The speedway operated for decades but ceased motorized racing nearly 30 years ago after a lawsuit from neighbors. An effort to revive racing surfaced about three years ago, but a judge earlier this year reinstated the ban.

Gregory-Baney has been employed at Zimmer Biomet for over 25 years. She resides in Warsaw with her husband, Kevin, and their three dogs. She has two grown children and one grandchild. 

In the summer months, Gregory-Baney can be found at the Plymouth Speedway, assisting with weekly timing and scoring. 

Gregory-Baney’s hobbies include drawing, painting, playing trumpet in a local symphony and wind ensembles, Jeep trail driving, traveling and experiencing racing adventures.

Ten percent of proceeds from the book signing event will be donated to the Tony Elliott Foundation, which supports worthy recipients in the racing community. 

“Tony and I had known each other since elementary school and were racing friends our whole adult lives.  He was one of the few who knew about the project over the years and was always so encouraging and enthusiastic about it,” Gregory-Baney said. “ When the book finally became a reality, there was just no question that at least 10 percent  would go to Tony’s Foundation. If the book is purchased locally, then 20 percent of the proceeds are going to the foundation.”

“If Only Walls Could Talk” is available on Amazon.com for $27.95 plus shipping and tax. This is Gregory-Baney’s first published book. 

Another book signing event will be held from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at Elliott’s Custom Trailers, 3955 Corridor Drive, Warsaw. Books will be available for purchase at both book signings. Any book purchased through Amazon can be brought to either of the events to be signed. Former drivers are asked to stop by and sign the author’s personal copy of the book.