There is some recency bias at work. I think yesterday's races were great, but I would be shocked if we are still talking about them in 40-50 years.
The Dream Mile (1971) and the Duel In The Sun (1982) are the top two American vs. American races and that is why they are discussed decades later.
Neither was a paced record run although, in hindsight, I guess Salazar's run was some type of American best, and the conditions weren't great. Yesterday's races were rabitted record attempts on a supertrack with supershoes.
Both Liquori and Salazar had been ranked number one in the World previously and finished that year number one in the World. Ryun, Liquori, Salazar, and Beardsley are all considered icons of the sport.