Throwback Thursday: Gary Nixon Tops Greenwood Road Race National Podium (1966)

Larry Lawrence | January 1, 2026

Triumph Rider Beat the Harley’s of Cal Rayborn and Chris Draayer

(Ben Hall photo)

In the first Throwback Thursday of 2026, we dial back the clock 60 years, to August of 1966 and that season’s AMA Grand National road race event at Greenwood Roadway in Indianola, Iowa. This shot shows the top three from the national with Gary Nixon (right) scoring victory on his Triumph. Cal Rayborn (middle) was runner up and Chris Draayer (left) finished third, both riding Harley-Davidsons. It marked the first win of the season for Nixon. He came out on top after a long battle with Rayborn in the 110-mile race. The Greenwood Roadway track was a scenic 3-mile road course but was never a financial success and closed not long after this race.

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