Tim Herbst
Motor Racing Monday
Willard KY.~ Thursday morning August3, 2006 at approximately 6:00 A.M. Willard Speedway General Manager, Rocky Estep, and his wife, Beverly, were awakened by a phone call from the Webbville Fire Department. There was a fire at the track and the press box and pit concession had been totally destroyed. There had been an attempt to burn the general admission concessions as well but the fire had apparently burned out before the concession trailer was ignited. The vandals had also thrown roofing nails over 2/3rds of the track surface. The track’s 20,000 gallon water reservoir had also been drained and the wiring to the pumps had been destroyed along with the press box. The tracks central electrical system was located in the press box as well along with the P.A. system. The upper concession had been doused with fuel and oil leaving it filled with fumes. Much of the food, drinks, paper products, and condiments had just been restocked and was destroyed in the blaze. There was also damage to one of the track vehicles as well as flattened tires on a utility trailer. Much of the tracks communication equipment had either been stolen or destroyed in the fire.
This terrorist-like attack on the track’s infra-structure was a blatant case of arson. At the current time local authorities are investigating but as of yet have no primary suspects. Anyone with information regarding this attack please contact Rodney Carroll of the Ky. State Police at 606-928-6421.
Track Manager Scott Estep said, “This just makes no sense. Things were really beginning to shape up. Now this! There is just no reason for it. It takes a real coward to do something like this. These people are no better than terrorists.”
Due to the massive damage, Willard Speedway will postpone racing until further notice. “We were scheduled to be off on August 12th for the Carter County Fair Week,” said General Manager Rocky Estep. “We’re going to take this time to regroup and decide how to continue.” Fans, drivers, sponsors, and crew members have been calling with words of encouragement and many thoughtful comments the past 2 days. The Willard Speedway staff would like to say thank you to each and every one of you. Your support means so much to us.
“We’ve worked so hard,” said Beverly Estep. “We just don’t know what to do or say.” The Estep’s have insurance coverage on the track but it does not cover fire damage or loss caused by arson. Everything is a total loss.
Any updates or changes in the situation will be posted when available.
Rocky Estep
General Manager
www.willardspeedway.com
This terrorist-like attack on the track’s infra-structure was a blatant case of arson. At the current time local authorities are investigating but as of yet have no primary suspects. Anyone with information regarding this attack please contact Rodney Carroll of the Ky. State Police at 606-928-6421.
Track Manager Scott Estep said, “This just makes no sense. Things were really beginning to shape up. Now this! There is just no reason for it. It takes a real coward to do something like this. These people are no better than terrorists.”
Due to the massive damage, Willard Speedway will postpone racing until further notice. “We were scheduled to be off on August 12th for the Carter County Fair Week,” said General Manager Rocky Estep. “We’re going to take this time to regroup and decide how to continue.” Fans, drivers, sponsors, and crew members have been calling with words of encouragement and many thoughtful comments the past 2 days. The Willard Speedway staff would like to say thank you to each and every one of you. Your support means so much to us.
“We’ve worked so hard,” said Beverly Estep. “We just don’t know what to do or say.” The Estep’s have insurance coverage on the track but it does not cover fire damage or loss caused by arson. Everything is a total loss.
Any updates or changes in the situation will be posted when available.
Rocky Estep
General Manager
www.willardspeedway.com
