North Carolina speedway ordered shut because of large crowds

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration has ordered closed a small stock-car track that’s allowed large crowds to gather repeatedly for weekend races well above COVID-19 limits for mass gatherings.

Cooper’s health secretary says Ace Speedway in Alamance County is an “imminent hazard” for the virus’ spread and can’t reopen unless it creates a safety plan to keep fans away.

Media outlets have reported crowds at the speedway exceeding 2,000 people.

The action came after the local sheriff announced on Monday he wouldn’t issue a citation for the speedway.

Disclosure of the legal action came as North Carolina reported another record high of virus-related hospitalizations.