Ace Speedway

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Ace Speedway

Pit Party, Ace Speedway, September 2010
Location	3401 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, North Carolina, United States 27244
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (UTC−04:00 DST)
Coordinates	36°11′34″N 79°29′58″W / 36.1927545°N 79.4994736°W / 36.1927545; -79.4994736
Capacity	5,000
Opened	1956
Former names	Southern Speedway
Major events	Current: CARS Tour (2000–2005, 2011–2012, 2018–present) Former: SMART Modified Tour (1994, 2000–2003, 2005–2009, 2023)
Paved Oval (1999–present)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	0.400 miles (0.644 km)
Turns	4
Banking	Turns: 12° Straights: 10°
Paved Oval (1990–1998)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	0.375 miles (0.604 km)
Turns	4
Dirt Oval (1984–1989)
Surface	Dirt
Length	0.375 miles (0.604 km)
Turns	4
Original Dirt Oval (1956–1983)
Surface	Dirt
Length	0.333 miles (0.536 km)
Turns	4

Ace Speedway is a 0.400 mi (0.644 km) oval stock car racing track in Altamahaw, North Carolina. The track was constructed by Roy Maddren and opened in 1956 as a 0.333 mi (0.536 km) dirt oval. In 1984, the track was expanded to a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) dirt oval. In 1990, under the ownership of Fred and Jim Turner, the track was paved and was under the NASCAR Winston Racing Series banner. In 1999, the track was re-expanded to a 0.400 mi (0.644 km) mile paved oval, the pits was expanded and other stuff was added to the track such as new bleachers.

Currently, the track runs CARS Tour. In the past, the speedway hosted NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and ISCARS.

COVID Restrictions Lawsuit

In 2020, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper ordered restrictions to address the spread of COVID-19, including restricting outdoor gatherings. In protest, the owners of Ace Speedway held races that attracted large crowds of people.^[1] Calling the race gatherings "dangerous," Cooper and then-Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) secretary Mindy Cohen ordered the race track to close and took the owners to court.^[2] The local superior court judge issued a temporary restraining order, requiring the racetrack to be closed.^[3]

In 2021, NC DHHS made a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Speedway had no constitutional claims and that DHHS was immune due to sovereign immunity. Ace argued that the governor and DHHS had exceeded their constitutional authority and had denied protected rights based on the North Carolina constitution's clause that allows citizens to enjoy the fruits of their own labor. The motion was denied by the superior court judge, and was appealed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, who ruled that Ace had made sufficient constitutional arguments to continue the case, denying the motion to dismiss, stating, "Ace pled colorable claims for infringement of its right to earn a living and for selective enforcement of the Governor's orders sufficient to survive the Secretary's motion to dismiss."^[4]

NC DHHS appealed that decision to the North Carolina Supreme Court, and arguments were heard in November 2023.^[5]

Late Model Track Champions

Mischa Sell Memorial 174

The Mischa Sell Memorial race is a 74-Lap main race for Limited Late Model stock cars. The Memorial race was started in 2012 by David Sell to honor his wife's legacy and raise money to help fight cancer. The race is one of the biggest in the area for limited late models.

References

External links

• Ace Speedway race results at Racing-Reference
• TRACK CHAMPIONS
• Mischa Sell Memorial Race