Ace Speedway
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27244
 Pit Party, Ace Speedway, September 2010 | |
| Location | 3401 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, North Carolina, United States 27244 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°11′34″N 79°29′58″W / 36.1927545°N 79.4994736°W |
| 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 mi (0.644 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: 12° Straights: 10° |
| Paved Oval (1990–1998) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.375 mi (0.604 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Dirt Oval (1984–1989) | |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Length | 0.375 mi (0.604 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Original Dirt Oval (1956–1983) | |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Length | 0.333 mi (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.
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
| Year | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Barry Beggarly |
| 1991 | Glenn Massey |
| 1992 | Michael Ritch |
| 1993 | Barry Beggarly |
| 1994 | Glenn Massey |
| 1995 | Dean Ward |
| 1996 | Barry Beggarly |
| 1997 | Dean Ward |
| 1998 | Robert Turner |
| 1999 | Ray Young |
| 2000 | Glenn Massey |
| 2001 | Glenn Massey |
| 2002 | James York |
| 2003 | Phillip Faucette |
| 2004 | Frank Deiny Jr. |
| 2005 | Robert Turner |
| 2006 | Rodney Cook |
| 2007 | Rodney Cook |
| 2008 | Dean Fogleman |
| 2009 | Speedy Faucette |
| 2010 | Dustin Rumley |
| 2011 | Barry Beggarly |
| 2012 | Dustin Rumley |
| 2013 | Dustin Rumley |
| 2014 | R.D. Smith |
| 2015 | R.D. Smith |