Green Valley Raceway, former motorsports race track in Smithfield, Texas
Green Valley Raceway was a motorsport racing facility in Smithfield, Texas, opened in 1960 on Bill McClure's farm and operated for over 20 years. The site featured a quarter-mile drag strip and a longer road course starting at about 1.6 miles (2.6 km), later extended to 2.1 miles (3.4 km), accommodating drag racing, road racing, and other competition formats.
The raceway opened in 1960 as a drag strip on the McClure family's dairy farm and earned the name 'The Track that Milk Built'. It expanded over the decades from a simple drag facility into a versatile venue hosting Trans-Am races, Can-Am competitions, and endurance racing before closing in 1986 due to safety concerns and urban encroachment.
The raceway earned its nickname 'The Track that Milk Built' because it was constructed on Bill and Dorothy McClure's dairy farm. The site became a gathering place where racing fans and drivers experienced the excitement of speed together, and the location hosted concerts and community events that brought people from the region together.
The location was situated near Dallas-Fort Worth with easy accessibility and large parking areas to accommodate many vehicles. The grounds featured modern amenities including the world's first heated grandstand, pit areas for race teams, and concessions to keep spectators comfortable throughout events.
In 1974, famous stunt performer Evel Knievel executed a record-breaking jump over 11 Mack trucks at the facility, watched live by over 35,000 people and setting a television viewership record for that type of stunt. This pioneering feat helped cement the raceway's place in American pop culture and motorsport history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
