TALLADEGA — An estimated crowd of 12,000 people showed up for Fan Appreciation Day at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday.

People came from near and far to spend a few hours at the 2.66-mile speedway, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2009. Speedway officials said cars were lined up outside the track at 8 a.m., 2 hours before the event began.

“This has been just a tremendous success,” Talladega Superspeedway president Rick Humphrey said of the event. “Everybody seems to be so appreciative that we presented them the opportunity to come out to the track.”

The event was free and open to the public and featured plenty of activities for all ages. Drinks, hot dogs and sno cones were available to help keep fans cool on the warm, sunny day. Talladega Superspeedway, Pepsi and Golden Flake provided food and drinks for the event.

All the NASCAR fans were still able to enjoy the race happening at New Hampshire Motor Speedway while partaking in the activities at TSS. Speedway officials set up televisions in the Sprint Cup Garage so fans could watch the race. The radio coverage of the race was put on the loudspeaker for those fans looking at the cars from the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum or the people enjoying the kids’ activities outside the garage.

Ticket holders for either of the two 2009 Talladega races were given the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles around the track on Sunday as well.

“This was payback to my dad,” said Mike McAnally from Gulf Shores. “Dad used to be a sheriff and worked security at the races a long time ago. When I was about 10, Dad got to do a track drive like this. I remember when we went into Turn One I got scared and made him stop. When I got my track ride voucher for attending the Aaron’s 499, I called him up and told him he was going to get a chance to drive Talladega again.”

Jack Wilson of Tennyson, Ind., said he and his wife made the drive to Talladega just to take their new Corvette around the track.

“I was hoping they would really let me open her up,” Wilson said. “But they had a truck pacing everyone. It was still worth the trip just to experience going around those turns. We had a good time.”

Valerie Cook of Piedmont has been to a lot of races at the track and she and her family took advantage of the opportunity to drive around the 2.66-mile tri-oval. Cook’s daughter, Taylor, 8, got her face painted at the track and is anxious to attend a race at the facility.

“We’re enjoying it,” Cook said while watching her daughter get her face painted Sunday. “She was a little nervous on the ride around the track. She’s never been to an actual race. She wants to, but I told her she could when she’s older.”

Fan Mitchell of Eastaboga brought her grandchildren out to the track on Sunday.

“I used to work here as a security guard,” she said. “I brought the grandbabies out here today. It’s a lot of fun.”

In addition to face painting and the sno cones, which were a big hit with people young and old, there were plenty of activities to keep children entertained.

Several large inflatable games kept kids bouncing, sliding and shooting hoops throughout the afternoon.

Former NASCAR drivers Richard Brickhouse, Dave Marcis and Sterling Marlin were on hand for Q&A sessions in the morning and Humphrey took questions from fans as well. The drivers also signed autographs for the fans in attendance.

The event ended with a concert by country music artist Darryl Worley, who went to college at the University of North Alabama. Worley opened the concert with “I Love the Honkytonk Life” and proceeded to play other songs including, “A Good Day to Run,” “Tennessee River Run,” “Have You Forgotten” and “Sounds Like Life To Me.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 30 to begin Hallow-Dega weekend at the 2.66-mile tri-oval. The Truck Series will race in the Mountain Dew 250 on Oct. 31 and then the Cup Series will cap off the weekend with the AMP Energy 500 on Nov. 1.