Ace Speedway

Last updated
Ace Speedway
Ace Speedway.jpg
Pit Party, Ace Speedway, September 2010
Location3401 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, North Carolina, United States
27244
Time zoneGMT-5
Capacity5,000
Opened1956
Former namesSouthern Speedway
Major eventsMischa Sell Memorial 174
Oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length.400 miles (.644 km)
Turns4
BankingTurns 12°
Straights 10°
Race lap record14.98 (Trevor Ward, , 2021, Late Model)

Ace Speedway is a 4/10 (.400) mile oval stock car racing track in Altamahaw, North Carolina. The track was constructed by Roy Maddren and opened in 1956 as a 1/3 mile dirt oval. In 1984, the track was expanded to a 3/8 mile 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 4/10 mile paved oval, the pits was expanded and other stuff was added to the track such as new bleachers.

Contents

Currently, the track runs Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Modifieds, Mini-Stocks and X-Treme cars on a weekly schedule and has ISCARS, Mini-Cups, Flat Head Fords, Southern Ground Pounders, Mini-Trucks, Legend Cars and Bandoleros on a part-time schedule. Touring series such as CARS Late Model Stock Tour, PASS (Pro All Stars Series SLM), UARA, Rolling Thunder Modifieds as well.

In the past, the speedway hosted NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and CARS X-1R Pro Cup Series.

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

YearDriver
1990 Barry Beggarly
1991Glenn Massey
1992 Michael Ritch
1993 Barry Beggarly
1994Glenn Massey
1995Dean Ward
1996 Barry Beggarly
1997Dean Ward
1998Robert Turner
1999Ray Young
2000Glenn Massey
2001Glenn Massey
2002James York
2003Phillip Faucette
2004Frank Deiny Jr.
2005Robert Turner
2006Rodney Cook
2007Rodney Cook
2008Dean Fogleman
2009Speedy Faucette
2010Dustin Rumley
2011 Barry Beggarly
2012Dustin Rumley
2013Dustin Rumley
2014R.D. Smith
2015R.D. Smith

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.

Mischa Sell Memorial 174 Winners
YearDriverHometownWinners Purse
2012Scott Hall Walkertown, North Carolina $2,700
2013Joey Throckmorton South Boston, Virginia $4,885
2014Austin Thaxton Cluster Springs, Virginia $5,625
2015Dylan Ward Winston-Salem, North Carolina $10,750

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References

  1. ↑ "Ace Speedway holds 'protest' race with more than 800 tickets sold despite governor's rebuke". FOX8 WGHP. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  2. ↑ "NC health department battles Ace Speedway operators in court hearing after race track defies closure order". FOX8 WGHP. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  3. ↑ "Ace Speedway must close until further notice after judge grants temporary restraining order". FOX8 WGHP. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  4. ↑ "Kinsley v. Ace Speedway Racing, Ltd. | North Carolina Judicial Branch". www.nccourts.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  5. ↑ "NC Supreme Court hears arguments in Ace Speedway case". Carolina Journal -. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2024-04-19.

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