Over the 44 years since Wilford Cronk opened his Wiscasset Speedway in 1969 for its first season of racing, the place has gone through a number of hands and name changes.

Through it all, the track Cronk built has been a source of lasting family memories for drivers and racing fans from around the state.

Driver and Kingfield businessman Richard Jordan bought the track with wife Vanessa Jordan in a 2012 bank auction. They restored the name Cronk gave it and, on July 27, found another way to permanently honor him.

They named the concession stand “Wilford's,” unveiling the sign in a dedication ceremony that was part of the night's celebration of 44 years of racing at the track.

“We finally got the concessions looking about how we wanted it, and how he would want it, so this is a way to say, 'thanks, Wilford, for what you did,'” Richard Jordan said.

Cronk died March 25 at home in Wiscasset at the age of 85. Several family members were at the track Saturday when the concessions stand was named in his honor.

“It's very nice,” son David Cronk said. “It makes us feel very proud. My dad would have been very proud.”

“He would be so tickled,” Cronk added.

Within the night's crowd were people who had been a part of the track's past and were pleased that the Jordans have given it a future. Among them was Jerry Childs, 71, of Belgrade. A couple decades ago, he sponsored several cars.

“I would not have wanted to see it close,” Childs said.

Mary Nelson's brother-in-law used to race there. “I think it's great,” the Pittston woman said about the track's survival.

“I'm so glad they re-opened,” she said. “It gives us something to do on a Saturday night.”

The cupcakes and noisemakers at the celebration fit well with another special occasion Jamie Beers of Eustis and his daughter Cameron were celebrating: She turned 8 one day earlier; the trip to the track was a birthday present for the young racing fan.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com