WILLARD, Ky. -- Willard Speedway, which had been closed due to vandalism damage for seven weeks, reopened to crown six Tri-State Champions Saturday night. newgph Jeff Hamby held off Tom King and Jeremy Hall to win the headlining Steel Block Late Model main.

They and 93 drivers from six states came to see Willard owners Jim and Ann Allen reopen their clay one-quarter-mile oval's repaired facilities. The Allens, with help from staff from nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park and gravel from Wayne Supply, had been cleaning up since announcing the intended $10,000-to win championship races Sept. 14.

Willard was subjected to at least $20,000 of damages after their scoring tower, offices and refreshment areas were set fire or otherwise damaged Aug. 3. Paintsville attorney Michael Dean Osborne and Susan carol Justice, who had ties to nearby 201 Speedway, pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of arson, vandalism and conspiracy thereof on Sept. 25.

Jeff Meadows beat Jason Perry to take the modified main while Rod lasky held off Lee Neil and 18 others in the bomber run. The races continued despite the temporary public address system cut off on WCHS TV-Charleston, W. Va.'s Kenny Bass.

Willard officials awarded John Flury the four-cylinder stock victory after Joe Zrostik's car failed technical inspection. Kelly Neace took the four-cylinder modified honors over Mark Cole while Lynn Knepper nabbed the Modified Lites main over John Leaby, Jr. Ann Allen, in a posting on eastkyracing.com, said she received drivers from as far as Missouri and Pennsylvania and query calls as distant as New Mexico.