The Wiscasset Speedway has seen some notable drivers from the Wiscasset area in its 44 years of operation.
One driver currently out to make his mark is Adam Chadbourne, a third generation stock car driver who has driven on the Wiscasset track since he was 16 years old, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Merle Grover, and his father Dale Chadbourne.
Although Chadbourne has won over 100 trophies during his racing career, he has kept very few because he likes to give them to young people who are racing enthusiasts.
“When I was 16 years old and won my first trophy I was so excited and proud, I want other young people to feel that excitement and pride,” Chadbourne said. “Especially those that enjoy racing. I usually do not leave the track with a trophy I have won. Racing is a passion to me, and I enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids that are given the trophies.”
On Aug. 25, a young man attended the Wiscasset Speedway for the first time, and left with a winning trophy due to Chadbourne’s generosity. On that occasion, driving a car owned by John Rice, at the Wiscasset Speedway, Chadbourne won the Wicked Good Vintage race and received a large trophy.
As usual he headed over to the stands to give the trophy to one of his young fans. On this night, he picked a friend’s little brother, Lucien Hodell. On his way to deliver the trophy, Chadbourne learned Hodell has cerebral palsy. Hodell is restricted to a wheelchair, but he absolutely loves racing.
When Chadbourne presented Hodell with the trophy Hodell was very excited and thrilled, according to witnesses at the track that night.
“When we saw Adam coming into the stands, we thought he was just bringing the trophy up to show Lucien,” said Lucien’s mother, Lori Hodell. “When Lucien went to give it back, Adam said, ‘No buddy you keep it’. He was speechless but he did manage to say thank you. It was hours before he left it down.”
Chadbourne keeps a few trophies, such as the third place trophy he won at Speedway 95, in Herman, at the Ikey Dorr Memorial Race. The race is held in memory of Ikey Dorr of Addison, a former race car driver at Speedway 95 who died of a heart attack while racing in 2009.
The race also benefits the Wreaths Across America program, which provides wreaths for the veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery
The Chadbournes have two stock cars. Adam’s father Dale, whose father was a veteran, built one car just to race at the Ikey Dorr race a couple of years ago, and now Adam’s childhood friend, Bobby Mesiner drives it.
“We are best friends, partners, and competitors when we are racing,” Adam said.
Often times Chadbourne is asked to drive cars owned by other people. In fact he will be driving John and Lorraine Rice’s car Sept. 20 at Unity.
Displayed on his stock car windshield he has 35 first place win stickers, representing about 17 years of his racing career in Wiscasset, Speedway 95, Oxford Plains Speedway, and Unity Raceway. Chadbourne is very thankful for his sponsors that have supported him over the years. They include: Bert’s Irving & Oil Co., Bath; Norm’s Used Cars, Wiscasset; Stone Surface Granite & Marble, Bath; Peavey’s General Store, Liberty; Dan’s Auto Repair, Boothbay; NAPA, Bath and Wiscasset; Chat’s & Son Towing, Woolwich; and Ron Elwell Plumbing, Arrowsic.
The Wiscasset Race track was founded by the late Wilfred Crook. In 2012, Richard and Vanessa Jordan purchased the track, and after doing a complete face-lift of the facility, the Wiscasset Speedway began a new chapter with a new name and a grand opening last October with a full schedule of racing beginning in April and running through October.