Video: Drag Racing Action at the 1970 NHRA World Finals

We love original color action from the golden age of drag racing, and we know you do, too. Check out this top-quality 1970 film featuring the NHRA World Finals from Dallas—it’s the good stuff. 

 

 

Produced by Triangle Television back in 1970 for clients Valvoline, Fram, and Champion Spark Plug, this gem of a film was titled For Love or Money. The scene is the season-ending NHRA World Finals, which in those days was held at the old Dallas International Motor Speedway, in operation from 1969 to 1973. The director’s spotlight is on the all-conquering Plymouth Pro Stock team of Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin, but there’s plenty of great coverage of all the NHRA pro categories here as well—and the production quality is top notch.

The film is a little scratchy at the opening, but no worries, it quickly clears up for some clean, bright drag racing action. The 1970 season was the first for NHRA Pro Stock, so there’s plenty to see in that category. This was also a special time for the soon-to-be-extinct Top Gas Eliminator, which was then contested by hairy twin-engined dragsters (see lead photo above). There’s a lot of wonderful drag racing action to take in here, so grab a snack and a beverage and enjoy.