Race car drivers weren't the only ones who had been missing the roar of racing at Wiscasset Speedway. Between 3,000 and 3,500 people turned out October 21 for the track's first and only race day of 2012.

At sunrise, Wiscasset's Dan Nessmith was fixing the trunk of a 1980s Camaro he planned to race. He'd already been there about two hours.

Like a lot of the other Maine drivers arriving early, Nessmith said he wanted to be a part of the event “just to help support the track.” Months ago, no one knew if it would remain a track, or be snapped up by someone with different plans.

Speedway co-owner Richard Jordan was smiling as he got around by golf cart in the early morning light. Ever since he and wife Vanessa were the high bidders in a foreclosure auction in July, the Kingfield couple, along with large numbers of volunteers, had been working to bring racing back to Wiscasset.

In an interview later, he said the turnout of drivers and fans went “way beyond” his expectations. Jordan took it as an encouraging sign for the 2013 racing season. “People definitely have a lot of enthusiasm,” he said.

Bud Greenleaf of Westport Island was thrilled as he walked around, looking at the cars and asking the crews about them before getting back to the lunch wagon he would be manning. The speedway's re-opening “brings tears to my eyes, just thinking about it,” the longtime fan said.

Down West Alna Road a bit, even a scarecrow had caught the spirit of the day. It had on a “Let's Go Racing” sign.

Though Sunday's event was nostalgic for many in the pits and the stands, for others it was a chance to try out a track they'd been hearing about. Myles Devits and fiancée Danielle Gagne brought Devits' “dwarf car” all the way from Barrington, New Hampshire, to compete. It has a 34-inch-wide interior and was modeled after 1920s race cars, Devits said.

Hours later, during racing, spectators wore smiley-face bracelets they got at the gate, the smells of popcorn and cotton candy wafted from a vendor's stand near the announcer's booth, and Jim Howe of West Bath was liking the view from the stands. “The place looks great,” he said. “I'm really happy that it's open again.”

Before the day was over, Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich had a second and a sixth place, earning him two trophies. No money was on the line Sunday. But that was all right with Chadbourne. He was just glad to be back at the speedway. “I missed it,” he said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.