Dover International Speedway
Nicknamed ‘The Monster Mile’, Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR racetrack that can be found in Dover, Delaware. It is currently owned by Dover Motorsports and it also serves as the headquarters for this major motor sport company. The track was opened in 1969 and was designed by Melvin Joseph. The track is part of a massive racing and entertainment complex that features gambling and a horse racing track known as the Dover Downs. The Dover International Speedway got its nickname for being notoriously hard on the cars which race here. In 2004 the racetrack decided to adopt a new mascot known as the ‘Dover Monster’. Also known as ‘Miles’, the monster is a prominent feature on track tickets, memorabilia and even the winner’s trophy.
When the Dover International Speedway opened in 1969, it had far less seats than it does now. The first addition made to the seating took place in 1982 and more seats continued to be added in subsequent years. Today the track is capable of seating 140 000 people. The track is unique in a number of ways. The first is that it is a concrete track – one of only three and the first of its kind. The concrete gives the track a whitish appearance, which is rather different from the black, tarred race tracks found across the country. It is also exactly one mile in length, which means that it cannot accurately be classified as either a short track or a superspeedway. Initially both the entertainment complex, horse racing facilities and the speedway were owned by Dover Downs Entertainment but at the urging of NASCAR the speedway came under separate ownership. The current owners of the track, Dover Motorsports, was formerly known as Dover Downs Entertainment but it changed its name in 2002 for legal reasons.
Races currently held at the track include the Neighborhood Excellence 400 and the Dover 400 of the NEXTEL Cup series, the StonebridgeRacing.com 200 and the Dover 200 of the Busch Series and the AAA Insurance 200 of the Craftsman Truck Series. Thus far, the Dover International Speedway has played an integral role in the world of NASCAR racing with many top drivers making a name for themselves on the track. It is highly likely that the track will continue to play a prominent role in the popular sport of NASCAR, and that fans will continue to flock here for all the major events.
