Dover Motor Speedway Explained

Dover Motor Speedway
Nicknames:"The Monster Mile"
"World's Fastest One-Mile Oval"
Time:UTC−5 (UTC−4 DST)
Location:1131 North Dupont Highway,
Dover, Delaware, 19901, U.S.
Coordinates:39.1896°N -75.5303°W
Capacity:58,500[1]
Owner:Speedway Motorsports (November 2021–present)
Dover Motorsports (July 1969–October 2021)
Operator:Speedway Motorsports (November 2021–present)
Broke Ground:1966[2]
Architect:Melvin Joseph[3]
Former Names:Dover Downs International Speedway
(1969–2002)
Dover International Speedway
(2002–2021)
Events:Current:
NASCAR Cup Series
Würth 400 (1969–present)
Dover 400 (1971–2020)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
BetRivers 200 (1982–present)
Drydene 200 (1986–2020)
ARCA Menards Series East
General Tire 125 (1998, 2001–2002, 2004–present)
Future:
ARCA Menards Series (2024)
Former:
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
KDI Office Technology 200 (2000–2020)
Indy Racing League (1998–1999)
USAC Championship Car (1969)
Layout1:Oval (1969–present)
Surface:1969–1994: Asphalt
1995–present: Concrete
Miles First:True
Length Km:1.66
Length Mi:1.03
Turns:4
Banking:Turns: 24°
Straights: 9°[4]
Record Time:19.622 seconds
Record Driver: Greg Ray
Record Car:Dallara IR-7
Record Year:1998
Record Class:IRL

Dover Motor Speedway (formerly Dover Downs International Speedway and later Dover International Speedway) is a race track in Dover, Delaware. The track has hosted at least one NASCAR Cup Series race each year since 1969, including two per year from 1971 to 2020. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosted USAC[5] and the Indy Racing League. The track features one layout, a 1.03miles concrete oval, with 24° banking in the turns and 9° banking on the straights. The speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports.

The track, nicknamed "The Monster Mile", was built in 1969 by Melvin Joseph of Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, Inc., with an asphalt surface, but was replaced with concrete in 1995. Six years later, in 2001, the track had 135,000 seats, the largest sports venue in the mid-Atlantic region. In 2002, the name changed to Dover International Speedway from Dover Downs International Speedway after Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment split, making Dover Motorsports. From 2007 to 2009, the speedway worked on an improvement project called "The Monster Makeover," which expanded facilities at the track and beautified the track. [6] On Nov. 8, 2021, it was announced that Dover Motorsports Inc. was purchased by Speedway Motorsports Inc. Its sister track is Nashville Superspeedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Track history

In 1966, Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, Inc. began construction on the speedway, which was specialized for horse racing and auto racing. The race track was completed three years later, and would have its first race on July 6, 1969.[7] The inaugural race, the Mason-Dixon 300, was won by Richard Petty.During the 1971 racing season, the speedway removed all the events not sanctioned by NASCAR to help keep focus on the two NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, which were 500 miles each. Eleven years later, the speedway added a NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (now Xfinity Series) event, the Sportsman 200. Starting in 1986, the speedway added grandstand. seats each year until 2001.[8] A second Xfinity Series race was also added to the speedway's schedule during the 1986 season.

Eight years later, Delaware General Assembly passed legislation to allow slot machines at pari-mutuel horse racing venues. In 1995, the speedway replaced its asphalt surface with concrete, making it the second NASCAR Cup Series track after Bristol Motor Speedway to have a full concrete surface. During the same year, Dover Downs slots opened on December 29. Two years later, the speedway changed the race distances of its NASCAR Cup Series races to 400 miles, beginning with the 1997 fall race. In 1998, the speedway added an Indy Racing League event to the schedule,[9] but the race was removed after the 1999 season.[10] During the 2000 racing season, the speedway added a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. Kurt Busch won the inaugural Truck race from the pole position.

On September 23, 2001, the Cup Series returned to racing at Dover after the September 11 attacks for the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400, in which Dale Earnhardt Jr. received the checkered and American flag at the same time.

After the gaming side of Dover Downs separated, Dover Motorsports, Inc. was created in 2002 to operate the speedway, now named Dover International Speedway. Two years later, the speedway announced the completion of the Monster Bridge, which is a glass-enclosed structure that has 56 seats near the entrance to Turn 3, and its fall NASCAR Cup Series race became the second race in the newly formed, NASCAR Chase for the Championship.On May 26, 2006, the speedway announced a multi-year capital improvement project called "The Monster Makeover", which would begin after the speedway's June NASCAR Cup Series race.[11] During the first stage of the improvement project in 2007, the speedway built a new 12-suite skybox complex and a new 2,100 square feet addition to the media center in the infield.[12] Other improvements included widened walkways behind three grandstands, renovated restrooms, more paved handicapped parking areas, expanded bus parking, as well as a sound system with improved audio quality for the grandstands.

In 2008, the second stage of the "Monster Makeover" took place. During the stage, the Monster Monument, a 46-feet tall fiberglass structure, was built in the new Victory Plaza, the FanZone area was expanded, and an emergency services building was built.[13] One year later, the speedway continued the improvement project by replacing the front stretch pit wall to install a longer SAFER barrier wall that would make a wider and safer pit road, as well as an additional pit stall.[14] [15] On Dec. 30, 2011, the speedway announced an expansion of space per grandstand seat, reducing the track's number to 113,000 over the next two years.[16]

Shortly after the 2014 AAA 400, the speedway reduced its seat number to 95,500 by Christmas 2014 and 85,000 in 2016. The removal of the seats was completed by Christmas 2014.[17] [18] Also after the 2014 AAA 400, the speedway began work on a $2.9 million project to install a new catchfence that was ready for the 2015 season. The new catchfence was 21feet high, as opposed to the old catchfence, which was 15feet high.[19] In 2016, the speedway added 479 feet of SAFER barriers along the backstretch and Turn 3, and reduced the number of pit stalls available by increasing each stall by 2feet.[20]

In 2019, the speedway built a new and expanded Cup Series garage, located between Turns 1 and 2. The project also paved the inner portion of the track between Turns 1 and 2 and replaced the guardrail in this area with a SAFER barrier. Work on this project, which cost $5.5 million, began in May 2019 and was completed on Sept. 20, 2019, ahead of the race weekend in October.[21] After the 2019 season, the speedway removed approximately 25,000 seats in the lower level between Turns 3 and 4, reducing the track's capacity to 58,500.[22]

Since 2012, the Firefly Music Festival has been held in The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway, a 105-acre (42 ha) festival ground adjacent to the speedway. Firefly additionally utilizes some of the speedway's infrastructure for parking and camping. In recent years, the speedway’s infield has been used specifically for RV camping throughout the festival. The festival was not held in 2020 or 2023.

NASCAR moved one of Dover's race weekends in 2021 to Nashville Superspeedway, another track owned by Dover Motorsports.[23] On Nov. 8, 2021, Speedway Motorsports acquired track owner Dover Motorsports. As a result, Speedway Motorsports took over ownership of the track and it was renamed to Dover Motor Speedway.[24] As such, PRN replaced MRN for radio broadcasts at the speedway from 2023 onwards.

Miles the Monster

The speedway's mascot is called "Miles the Monster," which is a monster spawned from the track's nickname, "The Monster Mile."[25] The monster is featured on the winner's trophy, the track's tickets, memorabilia, website, and the 46feet Monster Monument.[26] A previous nickname that the track had was "White Lightning," used in the initial years after the track surface changed from asphalt to concrete.[27]

Races

Current races

Former races

Track records

NASCAR

oval
RecordYearDateDriverCar MakeTimeSpeed/Average Speed
NASCAR Cup Series
Qualifying October 5 21.559 166.984mph
Race (400 miles)2019October 6 2:56:49 135.734mph
Race (500 miles)1990September 16 3:58:12 125.945mph
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Qualifying October 1 22.739158.318mph
Race September 281:31:27 131.219mph
NASCAR Truck Series
Qualifying 2019May 3 22.303161.413mph
Race June 21:39:50 120.2mph
ARCA Menards Series East
Qualifying 2009September 25 23.201155.166mph
Race September 201:17:28 116.179mph

Lap records

As of April 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Dover Motor Speedway (formerly Dover Downs International Speedway/Dover International Speedway) are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Oval: 1.609 km (1969–present)[28]
0:19.622[29] 1998 Pep Boys 400K
0:22.203[30] 2019 Gander RV 400
0:23.230[31] 2019 JEGS 200
0:23.261[32] 2024 BetRivers 200

NASCAR Cup Series statistics

Most Wins 11 Jimmie Johnson
Most Top 5s 24 Mark Martin
Most Top 10s 33 Mark Martin
Most Poles 6 David Pearson
Youngest Winner 22 years 10 months 8 days Chase Elliott
Oldest Winner 52 years, 4 months, 21 days Harry Gant
* from minimum 5 starts.[33]

Race results

Indy Racing League results

SeasonDateRace NameDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Report
LapsMiles (km)
1998[34] July 18Pep Boys 400K8Scott SharpKelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile248248 (399.117)2:29:4999.318Report
1999[35] August 1MBNA Mid-Atlantic 2002Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile200200 (321.868)1:45:02114.258Report

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Track Facts . Dover Motor Speedway . Speedway Motorsports . 17 August 2023.
  2. Web site: Dover Downs International Speedway Construction Begins . Joseph Frederick & Sons . May 31, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121029032742/http://www.jfrederickandsons.com/delawarehistory/may.html . October 29, 2012 .
  3. Web site: The Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, Inc. . Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, Inc . May 31, 2012.
  4. Web site: Dover International Speedway Track Specifications . Dover International Speedway . May 31, 2012 . July 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180729143054/http://www.doverspeedway.com/track-specs/ . dead .
  5. Web site: 1969 Delaware 200 . Racing-reference.info . May 31, 2012.
  6. Web site: DOVER MILESTONES - Dover Speedway. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191115213923/https://www.doverspeedway.com/dover-milestones/ . November 15, 2019 .
  7. Web site: History Highlights . Dover International Speedway . May 31, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614004120/http://www.doverspeedway.com/milestones-1969-2011/ . June 14, 2012 . dead .
  8. Web site: Dover . NASCAR . February 1, 2007 . May 31, 2012.
  9. News: Dressed-up Dover Downs welcomes Indy cars 107,000 seats overlook tricky one-mile oval . Sun Staff . July 18, 1998 . The Baltimore Sun . May 31, 2012 . McKee, Sandra . Dover, Delaware.
  10. Web site: INDYCAR: IRL: IRL 2000 Schedule Announced . Motorsport.com . November 2, 1999 . May 31, 2012.
  11. Web site: Dover plans massive improvement project . NASCAR . Autostock . May 26, 2006 . May 31, 2012.
  12. Web site: Dover in first phase of Monster Makeover . NASCAR . Official Release . February 28, 2007 . May 31, 2012.
  13. Web site: Monster of a structure: Monument set for Dover . NASCAR . Track Release . January 26, 2008 . May 31, 2012.
  14. Web site: Third phase of construction at Dover track under way . NASCAR . Track Release . January 8, 2009 . May 31, 2012.
  15. Web site: SAFER installation ends Dover renovation project . NASCAR . Official Release . May 15, 2009 . May 31, 2012.
  16. Web site: Dover International Speedway announces seat-widening plan to begin in 2012 . Doverspeedway.com . December 30, 2011 . December 30, 2011.
  17. News: Offredo. Jon. Dover International Speedway trims seating. The News Journal . Wilmington, DE . Gannett . October 15, 2014. October 16, 2014.
  18. Web site: Pockrass. Bob. Dover International Speedway to further reduce seating capacity. ESPN. May 29, 2015. October 25, 2019.
  19. Web site: Dover installing new catch fence. Associated Press. ESPN. September 29, 2014. October 16, 2014.
  20. Web site: Dover International Speedway Extends SAFER Barriers. Motor Racing Network. May 10, 2016. May 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160512231545/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/05/Dover-International-Speedway-Extends-SAFER-Barriers.aspx?s_soc=social_20160510_61445746&adbid=10154284759809208&adbpl=fb&adbpr=47438839207. May 12, 2016. dead.
  21. Web site: Dover to build new, expanded NASCAR Cup Series garage following May 3–5 tripleheader weekend. April 29, 2019. Dover International Speedway. May 1, 2019.
  22. News: Finney. Mike. Addition by subtraction: Dover International Speedway reduces seats, stresses 'fan experience'. Delaware State News . Dover, DE . October 23, 2019 . October 25, 2019.
  23. News: Humbles. Andy. 2021 NASCAR Cup Series race to be scheduled at Wilson County's Nashville Superspeedway. The Tennessean. June 2, 2020. June 2, 2020.
  24. Web site: 2021-11-08. Speedway Motorsports to Acquire Dover Motorsports, Inc.. 2021-11-09. www.businesswire.com. en.
  25. Web site: Miles the Monster . RoadsideAmerica.com . May 31, 2012.
  26. Web site: Unique trophies in NASCR . . September 25, 2014 . April 26, 2018.
  27. Web site: Stewart says Dover not such a monster . The Augusta Chronicle . Associated Press . July 17, 1998 . May 31, 2012.
  28. Web site: Dover Downs - Motor Sport Magazine . . 9 November 2023.
  29. Web site: 1998 Dover Downs Indycars . . 19 July 1998 . 28 April 2024.
  30. Web site: NASCAR Cup 2019 Dover Race Fastest Laps . 6 May 2019 . 1 June 2022.
  31. Web site: NASCAR Truck 2019 Dover Race Fastest Laps . 3 May 2019 . 1 June 2022.
  32. Web site: 2024 BetRivers 200 Race Statistics . 27 April 2024 . 28 April 2024.
  33. Web site: Dover International Speedway Track News . Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site . June 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120606042135/http://www.jayski.com/pages/tracks/dover.htm . June 6, 2012 . dead .
  34. Web site: 1998 Pep Boys 400K . Racing-reference.info . May 31, 2012.
  35. Web site: 1999 MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200 . Racing-reference.info . May 31, 2012.