Another NC speedway plans to host races — and fans — amid coronavirus pandemic
Another North Carolina racetrack is planning to open for business soon.
Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway in Peletier has scheduled the speedway’s season opener for Saturday and fans are expected to attend, with general admission tickets for sale.
Gov. Roy Cooper, in transitioning the state to a modified Phase Two of its reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, said in an executive order that outside gatherings will have no more than 25 people. Despite the order, ACE Speedway in Alamance County had 2,550 people attend races this past Saturday.
Gov. Cooper, in response to the crowd that didn’t practice social distancing and for the most part didn’t wear masks, said it was “dangerous and reckless” to intentionally draw a crowd, adding that he hoped no one “gets sick or even dies” from attending the races at ACE Speedway.
“A lot of people have been under a lot of stress and short track racing is one of the best stress relievers there is,” Bob Lowery, owner of Carteret County Speedway, said in an interview with WNCT.
Lowery, in the interview, said extra precautions will be taken and those in attendance will be urged to practice social distancing. He also said there will be several sanitation stations and Plexiglas in place. There also will be medical personnel on hand.
“And we also encourage people you know that are feeling bad or have a high temperature, whatever, please stay home because we have another entire racing season coming up after this race,” Lowery told WNCT.
The racetrack planned to open Memorial Day weekend but postponed the opening due to excessive rain, according to the speedway’s website.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 4:29 PM.
