Film of the Week: AHRA vs NHRA circa 1960

In early 1960, Bill and Dorothy McClure transformed 250 acres of their 400-acre dairy farm north of Smithfield, Texas, into Green Valley Raceway. Dubbed “The Track that Milk Built,” the raceway quickly became a prominent venue for various motorsport events. On Thanksgiving Day of its inaugural year, Bill McClure hosted a bold “Race of Champions,” featuring top racers from both the AHRA and NHRA circuits. Notable participants included Art Malone, Eddie Hill, Bob Sullivan, and Jim Tice. This event significantly elevated Green Valley’s status in the racing community. Below is footage from the Race of Champions.

Green Valley Raceway went with AHRA sanctioning in 1961, the raceway capitalized on the association’s allowance of nitromethane, attracting larger crowds and prominent drag racers. That year, the track drew 125,000 spectators, including 30,000 during the AHRA Nationals over Labor Day weekend. In 1965, the raceway gained further acclaim when Carroll Shelby debuted the Ford Mustang GT350, driven by Ken Miles, during the SCCA Polar Prix. Green Valley Raceway continued to host significant events, including Evel Knievel’s 1974 stunt jump over 11 Mack trucks, until its closure in 1986. Today, the site is commemorated by the Green Valley Raceway Historic Plaza in North Richland Hills, Texas (between Dallas and Forth Worth).