DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY NEWS/RUMORS

DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY NEWS/RUMORS

Mailing Address:
Dover International Speedway, P.O. Box 843, Dover, DE 19903

Physical Address:
1131 N. DuPont Hwy.(Route 13)
Dover, DE 19903

Phone: (302) 674-4600, (302) 857-3241
Tix Phone: (302) 734-RACE or (800) 441-RACE (7223)
Fax: (302) 672-0100 tickets; (302) 734-3124

Track Specs:
Superspeedway: 1.0-mile oval
Banking: turns: 24 degrees; straights: 9 degrees
Straights: Frontstretch - 1,076 feet; Backstretch - 1,076 feet
Grandstands: ~147,000

Websites:
www.doverspeedway.com
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide

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• New Race Record at Dover International Speedway, not for the fastest, but Sunday's win by Mark Martin in the MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes, was the slowest race speed average for a Cup race at Dover, 97.042mph, the old record was in Sept 1993 by Rusty Wallace with an average speed of 100.334mph.(6-7-2004)
  
  

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  • It’s a Heluva Good! Race Weekend at Dover International Speedway: The spring race weekend at Dover International Speedway will prove to be a Heluva Good! weekend for racing fans as the “Heluva Good! 200” Nationwide Series race and the “Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese” Sprint Cup Series race will be run at the Monster Mile on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 respectively. Heluva Good!, a leading producer of real sour cream dips and naturally aged cheese, teamed up with Dover International Speedway and Autism Speaks for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover, now known as the “Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese.” Throughout the race weekend, the trio of partners will work together to educate and increase public awareness of autism. Heluva Good! will also serve as the title sponsor of the second annual “Heluva Good! 200” after announcing their continued sponsorship of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover through 2010. “Heluva Good! is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Autism Speaks 400, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to help generate awareness for this important cause,” said Chris Ross, vice president of marketing for Heluva Good!. “We are excited to expand our track sponsorship and marketing programs with Dover International Speedway and build upon the success of our 2008 initiatives. The Heluva Good! brand is built on bold flavors and personality, which complement the characteristics of NASCAR’s passionate fan base.” As the Official Dip and Cheese of Dover International Speedway, Heluva Good! will distribute samples of its Jalapeño Cheddar Dip, which spices up any tailgate party or summer barbecue, in the track’s FanZone display area all weekend. Fans will also be able to enjoy the “Heluva Good! Monster Burger,” a special menu item featuring Heluva Good! Jalapeño Cheddar Dip and Heluva Good! American Cheese during the course of the weekend at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino’s Garden Café. Heluva Good! also gave away ticket packages to consumers for the race weekend through several consumer promotions. For information on where to buy Heluva Good! products, visit www.HeluvaGood.com.(Dover International Speedway)(5-27-2009)
    
    
  • Dover and Pepsi extend relationship: Dover International Speedway and Pepsi Bottling Ventures announced a new seven-year agreement that reaffirms Pepsi as the “Official and Exclusive Soft Drink & Bottled Water of Dover International Speedway.” Dover’s relationship with Pepsi Bottling Ventures spans many years, and Pepsi products have become a staple amongst thirsty race fans at the Monster Mile. Pepsi’s involvement blankets the sport of NASCAR, from being on the hood of Jeff Gordon’s #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, to its partnership with Dover, and the two partners regularly work together to offer fans special promotions leading up to the event weekends at the Monster Mile. Fans will be able to purchase Pepsi products – including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Aquafina and AMP Energy – at the dozens of concessions stands located around the one-mile, concrete oval. Pepsi products are also served on the property adjacent to the track at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Great seats still remain for the May 29-31 NASCAR race weekend at Dover International. For more information, or to purchase race tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(5-26-2009)
    
    
  • Dover’s pit road wall renovation project is done: A long winter’s work has finally reached completion as construction crews at Dover International Speedway recently bolted the SAFER barrier into place to complete the renovation of the new pit wall. With the steel tubing secured and the foam blocks installed, the new, longer and safer pit wall is ready for action when NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on May 29-31, 2009. The new improvements are expected to impact the competition on the track and pit road, and add another exciting element that will keep drivers guessing and fans cheering.
    The SAFER barrier (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) is supported by a new 1,592 ft. concrete wall that wraps from Turn 4 down the frontstretch to near Turn 1. The new pit wall is 432 ft. longer than the previous steel boilerplate wall. The SAFER barrier consists of rectangular steel tubing backed by foam blocks, and reduces the force of the initial impact of a crash. SAFER barriers are currently in place in all four turns at the track and on the inside retaining walls of the one-mile, concrete oval.
    Since the project began in December 2008, much has changed to the original landscape of pit road. Crews first removed the existing 1,160 ft. steel boilerplate wall, working backwards from Turn 1 to Turn 4. After digging a trench the length of pit road, drainage was installed, and concrete was poured to create a foundation for the new concrete wall to stabilize the additional 40 in. of concrete that stands vertically above the ground.
    Also by eliminating the grass strip on the frontstretch, crews were able to place the new wall closer to the apron of the track which created four additional feet of room to the width of the passing lane on pit road. With the additional length of the pit wall, track officials were able to reconfigure the 43 pit stalls and make them longer in size allowing more room for cars to enter and exit their stalls. They are now 32 ft. long, compared to 28 ft. The new space also reduces the likelihood of cars getting boxed in by cars while pitting, which should improve the race off pit road and on-track competition. Seven stalls now sit directly in front of grandstand sections 116-126 in Turn 4, and feature a concrete inside retaining wall from behind which crews will work.
    By eliminating some of the grass in the infield of Turn 4, new apron space was created between Turns 3 and 4 to allow more room for the cars to slow down as they approach the entrance to pit road. This also created a new entrance for track emergency service vehicles to enter the Speedway from the infield near the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage. Great seats are still available for NASCAR’s return to the Monster Mile on May 29-31. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(5-20-2009)
    
    
  • Dover race in June gets title name: Dover International Speedway, Autism Speaks and Heluva Good! have teamed up for the upcoming May 31, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Monster Mile, now known as the “Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese.” Throughout the race weekend, the trio of partners will work together to educate and increase public awareness of autism. Dover, FOX Sports and the NASCAR community will again embrace the message of Autism Speaks by featuring the organization’s puzzle piece logo on the track’s retaining walls, limited-edition souvenir merchandise, and during the broadcast of the Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese. Fans at the track on race weekend can donate to Autism Speaks by purchasing a limited-edition souvenir event pin. The pin retails for $7 and will be available at track souvenir stands throughout the May 29-31, 2009 race weekend. Great seats still remain for the May 29-31, 2009 race weekend at Dover International Speedway. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(5-7-2009)
    
    
  • No more infield tickets or parking at Dover: on the Dover International Speedway website: "Infield tickets and Infield parking are no longer available," referring to the upcoming Sprint Cup Series race on May 31.(Delaware News Journal)
    AND Dover International Speedway which has been hosting NASCAR races since 1969, has closed its infield to fan parking. The decision wasn’t necessarily based on the current state of the economy however, but the lack of fan interest according to the track. “As we evaluated the attendance in that area, year-to-year, it continued to decrease and didn't make sense from a business perspective to continue to operate it,” said Gary Camp, Director of Public Relations at Dover. “Every year, the numbers were essentially cut in half from the prior year. Around 100 customers paid to park in the infield for the Sept. 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Fans can experience a race for much less by purchasing a grandstand seat to the event. And the view from the grandstands is certainly much better.”(NASCAR Examiner)(4-16-2009) Comment here
    
    
  • Hotel Options for Dover: Dover International Speedway has been meeting regularly with local hotel operators and tourism officials to create a list of participating "fan friendly" hotel options for race fans. To participate in the new program, participating hotel operators have reduced minimum-night-stay requirements and created fan friendly room rates. The track previously included a large list of all hotels in the area on its website and in its fan guide. With this new policy, the Speedway will only actively help to promote properties that are making a sincere effort to put race fans first. More than fifteen hotels have agreed to participate so far, and more are expected to be added soon. A list of hotels is available online at DoverSpeedway.com/track/hotels. Ticket office representatives can also provide fans with the list of participating hotels by calling 800-441-RACE.(Dover International Speedway PR)(3-29-2009)
    
    
  • Dover not lowering Tix prices: Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, said Wednesday that Dover will not be among the many race tracks on the NASCAR circuit that will be slashing ticket prices this year in an effort to address the woeful economy. "We approached the issue of ticket pricing last year and came up with some package discounts for our customers," McGlynn said. "If a race fan buys a ticket for Friday, Saturday and our Sunday races, then they get a discount. We have several different packages available. We have tried to add more value to the overall experience [at Dover] so that race fans get more of their money's worth." Ticket prices for a Sprint Cup Series race at Dover range from $50-$96. The cheapest ticket is located in the indoor grandstand on the backstretch while the most expensive are on the highest rows of the front straightaway. Dover has a seating capacity of 140,000 but hasn't sold out a NASCAR event since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Dover officials have tried to ease the price of the ticket by adding several all-inclusive packages that include amenities such as food and transportation to and from the track. "The ticket price is not necessarily the single thing that customers use to determine whether they're coming or not," McGlynn said. "It's what the area's hotels are doing to them and what the restaurants are doing to them. That's really where the stress needs to be eased." It's not uncommon for hotels in the Dover area to nearly double rates and to demand up to four-night stay minimums for NASCAR weekends. That is a common practice in hosting cities throughout the 36-event Sprint Cup season.(Delaware News Journal)(1-16-2009)
    
    
  • Dover to widen, lengthen pit road: Phase three of Dover International Speedway's "Monster Makeover" is currently underway. Construction crews in Dover have already removed the existing front stretch pit wall and preparations are underway to install a longer, SAFER wall in time for the May 29-31, 2009 NASCAR race weekend. The end result will be a wider, safer pit road, and one additional pit stall. Construction began in mid-December 2008 as crews removed the existing 1160 ft. inside steel retaining wall that separated pit road from the apron and concrete racing surface. The demolition makes way for a new 1592 ft. concrete wall that will be fully equipped with SAFER barrier. The new inside retaining wall will be 432 ft. longer than the previous configuration and will be extended further into Turn 4, allowing the track to add a 43rd pit stall for competitors. The wall will also be set nearly five feet closer to the track apron, eliminating all grass on the frontstretch, while providing more space in the drive lane of pit road. A large plot of grass will also be removed in Turn 4 to make way for the new entrance to pit road.(Dover Speedway PR)(1-8-2009)
    
    
  • Dover pit road to be fixed: Dover International Speedway is set to announce Thursday that it is adding a 43rd pit stall and widening pit road by tearing down the current retaining wall and replacing it with one that includes a SAFER barrier. Construction began roughly three weeks ago. Previously, the track had only 42 pit stalls – forcing the last two cars in the field to share a stall until another competitor fell out of the race – and a narrow pit road that caused many incidents over the years. Now, pit road will extend further into Turn 4 – allowing for the extra stall – while expanding toward the track's frontstretch apron by nearly five feet. The old steel wall caused many in the stands to hold their breath after seeing drivers bash into the barrier from accidents started out of Turn 4 or at the start of the frontstretch. The new wall means that all grass along the frontstretch will be eliminated, as well as a section of grass in Turn 4. The pit road changes are the third phase of what the track is calling its "Monster Makeover." Previously, the so-called Monster Mile revamped its fan zone – including the addition of a 46-foot-tall Monster Monument – added a new skybox complex and refurbished its media center.(SceneDaily)(1-7-2009)
    
    
  • Dover Sept 2009 tix on sale: Tickets for Dover International Speedway’s Sept. 25–27, 2009 “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” weekend go on sale on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Tickets can be reserved by phone by calling 800-441-RACE or online at DoverSpeedway.com. Great seats are available for all three days of the NASCAR tripleheader at the Monster Mile, including the Sept. 27, 2009 Sprint Cup Series race, the Sept. 26, 2009 Nationwide Series race and the Sept. 25, 2009 “Sunoco 150” NASCAR Camping World Series race. Fans planning to spend the weekend at the track can save $25 by purchasing a special three-day ticket package for either the Sept. 25-27, 2009 race weekend, or the May 29-31, 2009 race weekend, on sale now. Dover International Speedway continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special three-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(12-13-2008)
    
    
  • May 2009 Tix for Dover on sale Oct 13th: Beginning on Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 at 8am/et, fans can secure their seats for the May 31, 2009 Sprint Cup Series race, May 30, 2009 "Heluva Good! 200" Nationwide Series race and the May 29, 2008 "AAA Insurance 200" Truck Series races at Dover International Speedway by calling 800-441-RACE or going online at DoverSpeedway.com. By ordering early, fans can reap the benefits of improved seat selection, better ticket availability, and with winter right around the corner, the perfect holiday gift for any NASCAR fan. Tickets for Dover's second annual race weekend, Sept. 25-27, 2009, will go on sale Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Returning fans will have the opportunity to renew their same seats for the September 2009 race weekend until Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. Dover International Speedway continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special three-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway PR)(10-12-2008)
    
    
  • Over 500 supporters of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to attend Dover race: What started as an opportunity for supporters of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to attend a NASCAR event together has blossomed into a large gathering for one very worthy cause. Since being introduced earlier this summer, the partnership between the NFFF and Dover International Speedway has garnered much attention through a special offer that will attract over 500 people associated with the firefighting community. Supporters of the NFFF are coming to Dover to enjoy race day on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 – and to honor the nearly 100 firefighters who lose their lives each year in the line of duty. Every day, the over one-million firefighters around the country respond to calls to keep citizens safe. At the races in Dover, over 250 fire and EMS crews work to keep drivers, crews and all the fans in attendance out of harms way.
    The offer includes a ticket to the Sept. 21, 2008 “Camping World RV 400 presented by AAA” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, admission to a pre-race, NFFF hospitality area, and a trackside tour of the Monster Mile. Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 AT&T Mobility Chevy, has volunteered his time and will participate in a special question-and-answer session in the NFFF hospitality tent on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 21. As part of pre-race activities, a ceremonial lap around the track will feature several fire trucks carrying survivor families of loved ones lost in the line of duty in 2006. A portion of proceeds from the sale of a special firefighter Miles the Monster t-shirt and substantial contributions from sponsors, including Holmatro, Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services, Kidde Fire Fighting and PBI Performance Products, will make the donation of more than $27,000 possible. Plans are currently being made to grow the program for next year’s Sept. 27, 2009 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway. NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on Sept. 19-21, 2008. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(PR - firehero.org)(9-17-2008)
    
    
  • Sept Dover Cup race gets a sponsor: The world's largest retailer of recreational vehicles and the world's fastest one-mile oval have entered into a multi-year agreement that includes entitlement for the upcoming Sept. 21, 2008 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway, now known as the "Camping World RV 400." The new partnership expands Camping World's increased involvement in NASCAR to include one of the toughest and most unpredictable races in the 10-race championship playoffs. Dover's partnership with Camping World includes the addition of a 6,400 sq. foot store in the newly developed FanZone display area at the Speedway on race weekend. The new store will feature a variety of products and services also offered at over 100 Camping World retail locations across the country. NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway this September for three days of championship-fueled action including the Sept. 21, 2008 "Camping World RV 400" Sprint Cup Series race, Sept. 20, 2008 "RoadLoans.com 200" Nationwide Series race, and the Sept.20 "Sunoco 150" NASCAR Camping World Series race. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(DIS PR)(8-11-2008)
    
    
  • Attendence off at Dover: The crowd was an estimated 25,000 short of a sellout in the Spring Cup race at Dover International Speedway. The speedway seats about 140,000. Nine fan-less sections each in Turns 2 and 3 were covered with advertising banners. Rising gas prices and food prices are seen as the reasons for the smallest crowd in years.(Philadelphia Daily News)(6-2-2008)
    
    
    
    
    
  • Special Start/Finish Line at Dover: Autism Speaks, the nation's leading non-profit organization dedicated to autism is championing an effort and encouraging race fans to cheer for a special goal at this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at the Dover International Speedway. This goal will extend far beyond the racecars crossing the finish line by bringing the NASCAR community a unique "Goal Line" dedicated to Autism Speaks. In a first-of-its-kind, the proverbial black and white checkered finish line has been transformed into a symbolic paint scheme featuring the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece logo alternating across the grid, forming the new "Goal Line" of the race. The puzzle piece, which symbolizes Autism Speaks and the missing piece of the autism puzzle, will commemorate the longstanding efforts of Autism Speaks and its dedication towards changing the future for all those who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.(PR)(5-31-2008)
    
    
  • Bruton looking at Dover? Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith said on Tuesday that, based on conversations he has had with Dover officials, the track is "more or less for sale." Smith's company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., owns six NASCAR tracks and is buying another in Sparta, Ky., for a reported $78 million. Dover Motorsports Inc. president and CEO Denis McGlynn would not speak in detail about the Delaware track's status. "I can never read [Smith's] mind," McGlynn said Wednesday. "These situations can be somewhat frustrating as a publicly held company. We don't, and cannot, comment on acquisitions. We are not allowed to speculate." McGlynn insists that moving one or both of the track's dates to another venue wouldn't make sense. "Under any circumstance, whether we remain the way we are or are sold, the markets don't change," McGlynn said. "We're the only track in NASCAR that serves four markets -- Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York." Despite its proximity to those four major cities, Dover Motorsports earnings have been up and down in recent years, according to financial reports. In 2007, the company's earnings topped $86 million, compared to $91 million in 2006 and 2005, $84 million in 2004 and $78 million in 2003. The track's ownership is separate from that of the adjoining casino, hotel and harness racing operations, which are owned by Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc.(Delaware News Journal)
    AND If Marathon Partners LP has its way, Dover International Speedway will be the next purchase of Speedway Motorsports Inc. Mario D. Cibelli, the manager of the largest outside shareholder of Dover Motorsports Inc., on Thursday sent a letter to the board of directors urging the company to sell. "We're really getting down to the end of a consolidation of the industry," said Cibelli, noting the remaining tracks with Cup dates are owned by SMI and International Speedway Corporation."It's clear Dover does not have an independent future. In my opinion, it's time to do something now." Marathon Partners owns 7½% of Dover Motorsports Inc. Cibelli said he hasn't talked to another shareholder that doesn't agree with his position, which he first stated in a letter written last year.(see more at ESPN.com)(5-29-2008)
    
    
  • Emerson Drive to perform benefit concert at Dover: Grammy-nominated band Emerson Drive will perform a benefit concert on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 8 p.m. in the Rollins Center at Dover Downs Hotel & Casi#Heluva Good!, sponsor of the Saturday, May 31 "Heluva Good! 200" NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover, is underwriting the cost of the concert so that all proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of Delaware. Emerson Drive will also perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the "Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Tickets are now on sale for the concert and can be purchased by calling 800-711-5882 or online at DoverDowns.com. Tickets are priced from $25 to $35 and proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of Delaware. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the concert scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available for the June 1 "Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the May 31 "Heluva Good! 200" NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 30 "AAA Insurance 200" NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(DIS PR)(5-29-2008)
    
    
  • Watch LIVE online as the Monster Monument is assembled at Dover UPDATE:: On Monday, April 28, 2008, the design team from ACI Composites will be on-site at Dover International Speedway to assemble the Monster Monument at its permanent location in the new Victory Plaza area. A majority of the fiberglass monster structure will be erected by the end of the day, weather permitting, and fans can watch the progress live online. Visit DoverSpeedway.com and click on the "Monster Monument! Watch the Progress Live" box at the bottom of the homepage. The page will be redirected to the DelDOT website featuring live video from a camera mounted on the top of the skybox complex on the back side of Dover's frontstretch. The monster's head, torso and arms were shipped to Dover on Friday, April 25, as six flatbed trucks made their way from ACI Composites' factory in Lancaster, Pa. The wide-load convoy received a Delaware State Police escort from the Delaware border and arrived at the track shortly after 11 a.m. Photos of the Monster Monument, as it arrived on the property today, can be found on DoverSpeedway.com. NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway on May 30-June 1 and Sept. 19-21, 2008. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(DIS)(4-27-2008)
    UPDATE postponed to Tues: High winds and rain postponed the assembly of the Monster Monument at Dover International Speedway on Monday. The forecast calls for thunderstorms throughout the day in Dover -- poor conditions for building a monster! The design team from ACI Composites will be on-site early in the morning on Tuesday to assemble the monument in one day as originally planned. Media are invited to arrive any time on Tuesday, but the construction should be in full swing by 11am/et.(DIS)(4-28-2008)
    
    
  • Sprint Cup Series race at Dover to be named the "Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks": Dover International Speedway and Best Buy officials announced that the June 1, 2008 Sprint Cup Series race will be named the "Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks." A variety of initiatives are planned for Dover's May 30 - June 1, 2008 NASCAR race weekend to increase awareness and raise funds for Autism Speaks. While Best Buy is in its fourth season as a team sponsor, with its iconic yellow tag logo appearing on Elliott Sadler's #19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports entry in select 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, this race marks the first time the company has sponsored a NASCAR event. This event also marks the second year Autism Speaks has partnered with Dover International Speedway. Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Student Clubs for Autism Speaks (SCAS) helps further the mission of Autism Speaks by creating the opportunity for students to engage and actively participate in positively affecting the lives of people with autism. Through education, awareness, friendship and fundraising, SCAS includes students at the middle school, high school and college level.(Dover Raceway/Best Buy PR)(4-22-2008)
    
    
  • Dover's Monster Monument is coming together - one limb at a time: Dover International Speedway's big addition for the 2008 season - The Monster Monument - is coming together on schedule at ACI Composites in Lancaster, Pa. The 46-foot structure is much too large to be housed indoors, so Miles' current home is just outside the front door at the factory. The ACI team has completed welding together the inner support beams of the monster including the head and face, torso and shoulders. Within the next few weeks, the crew will begin assembling the arms and hands of the monster along with putting the finishing touches on the full-size Dodge 'Car of Tomorrow' stock car that will be mounted in his right hand. Once those pieces are finished, they will be temporarily mounted on the monster before the entire structure is carved out of sprayed foam and then wrapped in fiberglass. The large shards of broken concrete have been built, assembled and sprayed with fiberglass. These pieces will be mounted on top of the base of the structure and will give the appearance of the monster breaking through the ground. In late-April, the entire structure will be disassembled and shipped in several large pieces, to be erected again on-site in its permanent location outside of Turn 4 at Dover International Speedway. The monster will be placed atop a 7-foot-tall, 60-foot-round base, which will include a chronological listing of all past Dover winners by race and series. A grand unveiling of the Monster Monument, Victory Plaza, the expanded FanZone and more is scheduled for May 14, 2008 with special guest Jeff Gordon. The Monster Monument will be complete when NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile for the May 30 - June 1 and Sept. 19 - 21, 2008 race weekends.(Dover International Speedway PR)(3-12-2008)
    
    
  • The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza planned for Dover: He's been portrayed as an intimidating, car crushing creature who wreaks havoc on NASCAR's most skilled competitors. He's been molded into the winner's trophy, playfully mimicked by victorious drivers, featured in a comic book, and posed as an action figure. In 2008, Miles the Monster will become the largest attraction at a NASCAR track and will be one of the tallest fiberglass structures in the world. The Monster Monument will stand 46-feet-tall amongst race fans in the newly created Victory Plaza at Dover International Speedway. The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza will be completed prior to the May 30 - June 1, 2008 race weekend and will become a new focal point for race fans visiting the Monster Mile. Nearly five stories tall, the structure depicts the monster bursting out of the concrete ground, carrying with him a full-scale stock car in his right hand that will hover high over race fans below. Glowing red eyes and a menacing grin will make the monster a "must see" for race fans visiting the Monster Mile in June, September, and all year round. Motorists on Route 1, the major highway behind the Speedway, will also be able to see the Monster Monument's bright red eyes when commuting past the track.
    The 60-foot-round base of the monument will serve as a tribute to all Dover race winners and legendary drivers who make their mark at the Monster Mile. Special driver dedications will be commemorated around the base of the monument which will also include a chronological listing of Dover winners by race and series. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison, each with seven career wins at Dover, will be the first drivers to be honored. Details regarding the special dedications and ceremonies will be announced prior to the June race weekend.
    Located outside Turn 4 of the one-mile oval, Victory Plaza will welcome race fans who are entering the facility from Leipsic Road, the various RV lots, and the parking areas located on the east side of the Speedway. Fans will walk through a new archway and up a colorful walkway as they make their way towards the Monster Monument, new FanZone, souvenir haulers and frontstretch grandstands.
    The FanZone has doubled in size since last year and now encompasses 7.8 acres of land at the Speedway. The expansion eliminates the road formerly known as Old Leipsic Road. The FanZone features fan experiences, sampling, interactive attractions, driver appearances and more. It's free and open to the public every day of race weekend. Also under construction is a 3,800 sq. foot emergency services building that will be completed in time for the May 30 - June 1, 2008 event weekend. The building is centrally located near Gate 1 of the Speedway, and will provide an improved base of operations for Dover's emergency response system. The new facility will further enhance the Speedway's emergency response efforts on race weekends.
    NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile May 30 - June 1 and Sept. 19 - 21, 2008. Dover continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special 3-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early-buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(1-28-2008)
    
    
  • No lights planned for Dover: For now, the improvements [at Dover International Speedway] do not include the installation of lights, which many speedways have added in recent years in order to host races in prime time. "We don't have lights on the near-term schedule," Denis McGlynn, CEO of Dover Motorsports, said. "If push came to shove and we had to do it, we'd take a serious look at it, but there's a lot of moving parts on that issue that would need to be addressed and I'm not sure we're there yet."(Delaware News Journal)(5-31-2007)