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Vallejo Hardtops
   Contra Costa Speedway
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    photo by George Cooper

Otherwise known as Pacheco, since it was located in Pacheco, California, just at the north edge of Pleasant Hill.
Torn down and run over by the new interstate, progress forced the hardtops to the new facilities at Vallejo in 1961. 
We here at Vallejo Hardtops have very little about Pacheco, so if you have something to add, let us know.
Below are a few photos taken at Pacheco between 195? and 1960 submitted by Tommy Thomson, Don Snow, Dennis Agostino, Mike Haney and Lisa Schulze and Rick Perry.
Thanks guys and gal, great photos.

Early Pacheco Dennis Agostino pic
Early Pacheco Dennis Agostino pic
Early Pacheco Dennis Agostino pic
Early Pacheco Dennis Agostino pic
Nelson Snow. Don Snow pic.
57 Nelson Snow. Don Snow pic.
100 Nelson Snow
5 Chet Thomson 4 Wally Baker 2 Johnny Franklin
5 Chet Thomson 87 Hugh Purdy
Chet with son Tommy
Julian Castro picking up another trophy in late 1950's. ---Mike Haney pic
100 Nelson Snow 87 Hugh Purdy 34 Pee Wee Waybright 5 Chet Thomson 99 Rod Zanolini
Mel Fernandez flagging Chet Thomson at Pacheco..This is 1 of my fav pictures of my dad, winning the main at Pacheco early 1950s. Not sure who's car he's driving, was pretty young back then. Old timers mite know, if there's any left...Tommy Thomson
Chet Thomson
100 Nelson Snow
Chet and another trophy queen
Joe Valente flaggin Nelson just ahead.
Nelson ready for the checkers
Nelson helping another driver along
Nelson Snow under another at Pacheco
Nelson meets number 8
Nelson almost missing the pile-up
Look out 64, here comes Nelson
Heggie Hegendeffer, driver, Ray Schulze on the left, year unknown..Lisa Schulze pic.
"My Uncle Heggie Hegendeffer", says Lisa Schulze who submitted this pic. Year, unknown.
1960 Hugh Purdy..Jerry Carpenello pic.
Hugh Purdy, Pacheco ...Chris Geilfuss‎ pic.
#94 Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
#94 Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
#94 Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
"Wild" Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
#68 "Wild" Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
Bill Perry, right, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
Bill Perry, trophy winner, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
#46 Bill Perry, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
#46 "Wild" Bill Perry misses one, early '50s Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
Bill Perry's wild rides come to an end. This one ended his carreer. 1954 Pacheco...Rick Perry pic.
Bill suffered too many injuries to return to driving. Did not keep him away from helping wherever and whomever he could in the pits for many years. Rick Perry photo.
1960 Hugh Purdy and Leroy Geving
In 1960 a few scenes in a movie starring Jack Nicholson called "The Wild Ride" was filmed at Contra Costa Speedway.
This guy wouldn't be breaking in, would he?
Fella entering the old Chevy. He sets off the horn to distract the gate attendant so his friends can sneak into the races.
Here the gate attendant is pulling the horn wires while the kids run through the gate.
Henry "Kowboy" Alves at Pacheco Speedway with flagmman Joe Valente...Mike Haney pic.
1960 Roland Lokmor at Pacheco...Mike Lokmor pic
1960 12 Ray Traveksm 40 Roland Lokmor on his side at Pacheco...Mike Lokmor pic
1960 18 Jack Huddleston, 40 Roland Lokmor at Pacheco...Mike Lokmor pic
1959 Uncle Buck at Pacheco. Donny Cooper pic.
1947 Program
Picture
1960 Pacheco Drivers Roster

The Location

Picture
This is a 1959 map showing where the Contra Costa Speedway, aka Pacheco Speedway, was located, just west of the Buchanan Airfield right off Pacheco Blvd in Pacheco.  The new freeway went right through that area which is all housing now.  Pacheco is about three miles north of Pleasant Hill.
The Track
Santa Rosa
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