Thunderbird Dragway, 1960: The unique and modern appearing tower at the Henderson Drags was an island oasis in the desert when constructed.  The track, just off Boulder Highway (US93-95) was the scene of several big money races back when Las Vegas was a small town. (Photo courtesy of Don Elliot)

I went to Henderson in 1959 with a group of racers from Tucson. Included in our parade were Gary Bulley (A/FD) and Jim Veck, A/SS (270 hp 1957 Chevy). Many years later we raced at several races held at Stardust International Raceway!

When we opened Mel Larson’s Arizona Raceway, Bernie Partridge spent some time helping us get everything together. One track he voiced strong approval about was a place called Vaca Valley on the northern tip of the San Francisco Bay flat land. Three years later Ron Ogilvie and I visited the track with our Super Stock Camaro from Bill Thomas Race Cars. Today the track outline is still visible from the air.

Vaca Valley, 1963: We could not locate a photo of the tower at Vaca Valley anywhere, but then we found this cover shot by Jim Kelly of his Drag Sport photo journal, and included it, since the tower is visible. OH, the race was noteworthy too, Stone, Woods, and Cook vs Pittman & Edwards in a battle of ’41 Willys A/Gas Supercharged. (Photography by Kelly)