Chet Thomson raced at Vallejo every year, after many years at other tracks, until health issues forced him out of the car in 1965.  Chet was a very popular driver with both the other drivers and fans.  He was track champion in 1962 and finished in the top ten in points nearly every year.  His success and popularity earned him a 100 lap memorial race ran each year from 1967 until the close of the track in 1979.

Program for the 2nd annual memorial race.

The actual trophy given to the race winner each year. Chet's son, Tommy ended up with it and still has it. This is a current photo as the date stamp shows.

The plaque showing each year's winner. The 1979 winner was in a Super Modified as there were no hardtops that year.

Thanks to Tommy Thomson for these photos of your dad's memorial race.

 
The winners were:
1967 - Julian Castro                       1968 - Jim Kaiser                     1969 - John Viel         
1970 - Phil Pedlar                           1971 - Phil Pedlar                    1972 - Leroy Geving   
1973 - Larry Damitz                       1974 - Larry Hall                      1975 - Laney Westbrook  
1976 - Laney Westbrook                 1977 - Tommy Thomson         1978 - Augie Fonseca      
1979 - Skip Brown (Super Modified)

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1968 winner Jim Kaiser with Chet's son Tommy.

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