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 concrete oval
Banking: turns: 24 degrees; straights: 9 degrees
Straights: Frontstretch - 1,076 feet; Backstretch - 1,076 feet
Pit Stalls: 43; 15 feet wide x 32 feet long
Grandstands: 135,000
Websites:
doverspeedway.com
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide
Tickets on sale for Dover's May races: Race fans can reserve great seats for the May 14-16, 2010 race weekend at Dover International Speedway, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as tickets are currently on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Dover ticket office at 800-441-RACE or online at DoverSpeedway.com. Tickets for Dover's "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" weekend, Sept. 24-26, 2010, will go on sale to the public on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Returning fans still have the opportunity to renew their same seats for the September 2010 race weekend until Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. 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.(Dover International Speedway)(11-10-2009)
Dover Motorsports writes down value of Memphis track: Without its NASCAR and National Hot Rod Association events, Memphis Motorsports Park, which was going to be sold for $10 million before the potential buyer couldn't secure financing, has dropped in value by $7.478 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Dover Motorsports, which announced Friday it was closing the Memphis facility that included a .75-mile oval where NASCAR conducted one Camping World Truck and one Nationwide series race a year, noted the write-down in its third quarter results. Dover had been listing the value of the Memphis track as $10 million, so with the write-down it now lists the facility's value without its NASCAR and NHRA events as $2.522 million. Dover also noted that its NASCAR weekend in September saw lower attendance, sponsorships and corporate spending as a result of the weak economy and poor weather. For the first nine months of 2009 - which is virtually Dover's entire racing season with the exception of the Memphis Nationwide race - Dover has recorded a net loss of $1.324 million compared with a net profit in 2008 of $6.398 million.(SceneDaily)(11-3-2009)
Dover Motorsports shuts down Memphis track: Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that it was ceasing all operations at Memphis Motorsports Park and that it would not be promoting any events in Memphis in 2010. As previously announced, the Memphis facility had been under an agreement of sale to Gulf Coast Entertainment but Gulf Coast was unable to secure financing. "This was a difficult decision for us, but one that ultimately was dictated by economics," said Denis McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Motorsports. "We greatly appreciate the many years of dedication shown by our Memphis employees and their efforts to make Memphis such a great destination for the racing community - from racing fans and drivers to sponsors, team owners and sanctioning bodies. For all concerned, including the Memphis community, it is truly sad to see Memphis Motorsports Park taken off the racing schedule. NASCAR has approved the realignment of our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events from Memphis Motorsports Park to our Nashville and Gateway facilities."
The realigned events and dates are as follows:
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nashville Superspeedway, April 2, 2010, (together with NASCAR Nationwide Series event on April 3, 2010)
NASCAR Nationwide Series, Gateway International Raceway, October 23, 2010.(Dover Motorsports PR)(10-30-2009)
ISC, SMI looked to jointly purchase Dover in 2007: Speedway Motorsports Inc. and International Speedway Corp. formed an alliance two years ago to look into the possible purchase of Dover International Speedway, according to a letter from Dover Motorsports Inc. general counsel to one of its shareholders. The letter was sent last month to Mario Cibelli, managing member of Marathon Partners, which owns 16.3 percent of the company's common stock (but only 1.5 percent of voting stock) and a harsh critic of Dover management who wants the company to be sold. In a filing Thursday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Cibelli asks for a forum on issues pertaining to Dover Motorsports shareholders, and the letter is posted on the forum project's Web site. Dover general counsel Klaus M. Belohoubek writes in the letter that Cibelli's actions might have thwarted the potential sale by driving down the asking price. A Dover spokesman said the company had no comment but did confirm the authenticity of the letter. The letter states that on May 2, 2007, Dover Motorsports Chairman Henry Tippie, Belohoubek and other Dover Motorsports executives met with SMI Chairman Bruton Smith and now-ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy in an airplane hangar in Dallas to entertain an offer to acquire Dover.(SceneDaily)(10-10-2009)
Truex Jr. donates 100 Dover tickets to fans in need: #1- Martin Truex Jr., always a fan favorite at the Monster Mile, has purchased 100 tickets to the AAA 400 Sprint Cup Series race for select fans who were unable to renew their September race tickets due to hardships brought on by the economic downturn or other unforeseen circumstances. Loyal Dover International Speedway ticket holders were contacted and told of Truex's special donation of tickets to the upcoming "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" race. The list was compiled from letters or personal stories shared by fans during the ticket renewal period for the Sept. 25-27 race weekend. "When we heard that Dover had a list of fans who wanted to come to the race but couldn't for one reason or another, we decided to take care of them," said Truex, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation is always looking for new ways to help those in need in the NASCAR community, and we felt this was a great way to support fans who wanted to be at the race in Dover. Dover obviously has a special place in my heart."(Dover PR)(9-23-2009)
National Tailgating League to hold "Monster" cornhole tournament at Dover: The National Tailgating League (The NTL), a newly formed organization created to sanction and execute organized tailgating games including Cornhole, Ladder Golf and Washer Toss competitions, will ho;d the first ever “Monster Mile” Cornhole tournament in conjunction with next month’s Sept. 25-27, 2009 NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway. The doubles Cornhole tournaments will take place in the FanZone at Dover International Speedway and will be open to all race fans and the general public. The NTL, which held its inaugural event during the May race weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, put on a massive Cornhole tournament recently in Bristol, Tenn., as hundreds of tailgaters faced off for various race-related prizes and thousands of dollars in cash. Because of the success of those inaugural events, NTL Founder and President Todd Hirschfeld is bringing this tailgating phenomenon to Dover, a market with a high concentration of NASCAR fans and tailgating enthusiasts. In addition to the $2,500 purse for Sunday’s main event tournament, participants in Saturday’s amateur Cornhole tournaments will compete for race-related experiences such as suite passes, autographed items, and Monster Racing driving experiences in Dover. Interested race fans and gamers that want to participate in one of the NTL doubles Cornhole tournaments during the Dover weekend can reserve a spot by signing up today at www.TheNTL.com or can visit the tournament site starting as early as Friday, Sept. 25. Each of the five weekend tournaments will hold up to 64 teams of two, and sign-ups are on a first-come, first-serve basis.(DIS)(9-22-2009)
Dover announces 2010 race dates: Historically, Dover International Speedway’s spring race dates depend on where the Memorial Day holiday falls [since 1987, from 1974 thru 1986 May 14-21 range was the date of the 1st race]. Through the years it’s varied between late-May or early June, and because Memorial Day comes late in 2010, Dover International Speedway’s spring race weekend has been moved to May 14-16, 2010, three weeks earlier than this year’s dates to accommodate a busy spring NASCAR schedule. Tickets for the May 14-16, 2010 tripleheader weekend featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series go on sale to the public on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. Fans that have already renewed their seats and have questions or concerns about the date change are encouraged to call the Dover ticket office at 800-441-RACE for more information. “Dover is traditionally the first stop for NASCAR in the Northeast and it will continue to be that way in 2010,” said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. “With Memorial Day falling on May 31 next year, June becomes very crowded and we felt it was better to make this one-time move and preserve our position as the first race in the Northeast. Our dates will return to the slot after Memorial Day in 2011.” Dover’s fall “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” race weekend remains unchanged and is scheduled for Sept. 24-26, 2010. Tickets for the Sept. 24-26, 2010 races will go on sale on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Great seats remain for this year’s fall race at the Monster Mile coming Sept. 25-27. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover Speedway)(9-1-2009)
AAA sponsoring Dover's fall race: AAA Mid-Atlantic and Dover International Speedway announce a new race name for the upcoming Sept. 27, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event: the "AAA 400." The Wilmington, Del.-based organization provides automotive, travel, personal insurance and financial services, and has approximately four million AAA members in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. With this new agreement in place, AAA Mid-Atlantic solidifies its relationship with Dover International Speedway through 2015, and will serve as the title sponsor of September's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for six years, beginning with the Sept. 27, 2009 event.(Dover PR)(8-19-2009)
- Delaware passes a sports-betting bill: The Delware state legislature has passed a sports-betting bill, making Delaware the only state in the East where wagering on sports will be legal. Nevada, Oregon and Montana are the only other states that offer sports wagering. Delaware hopes to have the betting system in place in time for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Dover International Speedway in September. This means NASCAR fans will be able to place bets on their favorite drivers. “Martha, I’m putting $10 on Tony Stewart to win. How ‘bout y’all? $10 on Jeff Gordon to win?”
“We’ll do everything they do in Vegas except straight bets on one team over another,” Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, said. He added that point spreads are needed to legally be a lottery. We’ll be the only state east of Montana where fans will be able to bet legally. “We should be able to attract a whole new demographic that we don’t get from slots.”()(6-11-2009)
- Autisic teen to sing at Dover: Huguenot's Larry Oliveri has had to overcome several obstacles in his life and has had to cope with difficult challenges, but his God-given gift of song has helped him soar to new heights. Larry, now 17, was diagnosed with autism at age 3. A student at Bishop Patrick V. Ahern High School at the Seton Foundation for Learning in Graniteville, where he's developing his melodic singing voice -- especially in the opera genre -- Larry has performed in several school productions. Now his parents, Vivian and Paul, have given us an update on their eldest son. Larry has been tapped to sing "God Bless America" at the Dover International Speedway on Sunday. This race, the "Autism Speaks 400," is sponsored by the nationally known organization of the same name. In fact, the organization has invited the entire family -- including Larry's brothers, Paul Jr., 15, and Christopher, 8 -- to join them in their hospitality suite. In conversation with a neighbor about the upcoming Dover event, Larry said, "Autism never sounded so good!"(Staten Island Live), Larry Oliveri also gave the command to start engines and was the grand marshal.(5-31-2009)
- Dover Is Latest Addition To ServiceMaster Clean Yellow Flag Program: Dover International Speedway is the latest addition to the ServiceMaster Clean Yellow Flag program. ServiceMaster Clean will have official and exclusive sponsorship of the Yellow Flag – known as ServiceMaster Clean Caution periods – at ‘The Monster Mile’ for both racing weekends in 2009 and beyond. When there is a problem on the track, the ServiceMaster Clean Yellow Flag will wave, and the company’s familiar yellow trucks will be dispatched to clean the track. The cleaning and drying vehicles and equipment at the Monster Mile this weekend will feature the ServiceMaster Clean logo and colors. In racing, a yellow flag means it’s time to clean up the track. Debris removal and track drying must be done quickly and professionally in order to get back to racing. In homes and businesses across North America, a yellow ServiceMaster Clean van means cleaning and restoration is being done quickly and professionally by America’s number one cleaning team. Earlier this year, ServiceMaster Clean became the first-ever official sponsor of the caution period during races at International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI) race tracks. The multi-year agreement now includes Dover and all 19 ISC and SMI race tracks around the country. Including Dover, those racetracks feature 33 Sprint Cup, 26 Nationwide and 18 Camping World Truck Series races and hundreds of other racing events during the season. The multi-year agreement is not limited to what happens on the track, but also includes hospitality events for franchise owners, the right to create and sell promotional merchandise and a host of other marketing opportunities designed to generate consistent visibility. The ServiceMaster Clean motorsports program also includes national coverage on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Performance Racing Network (PRN), With more than 4,500 franchise locations around the world, ServiceMaster Clean serves customers through a global network of franchises that provide janitorial services, commercial carpet cleaning, hard surface floor care, residential carpet cleaning and upholstery, and disaster restoration services. The company has been a market leader more than 60 years. For more information, visit us at www.servicemasterclean.com.(5-30-2009)
- NASCAR teams in all three series to sport Autism Speaks logo at Dover: Since the title of the Sunday, May 31, 2009 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway was announced, the NASCAR community has come together to offer their support for a great cause. Drivers and teams in all three of NASCAR’s national series have answered the call to sport the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece logo on their vehicles as a sign of support for the nation’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Race fans at the track and watching at home will see a variety of NASCAR cars and trucks with the very recognizable logo on their vehicles. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams entered in the “Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese” on May 31, six NASCAR Nationwide Series teams entered in the “Heluva Good! 200” on May 30, and nine teams entered in the “AAA Insurance 200” on May 29 have volunteered to carry the logo throughout the race weekend.
Participating Sprint Cup drivers and teams include: #07-Mears, #9-Kahne, #13-Papis, #14-Stewart, #19-Sadler, #26-McMurray, #29-Harvick, #31-Burton, #33-Bowyer, #39-Newman, #43-Sorenson, #44-Allmendinger, #78-Smith, #96-Labonte and #98-Menard.
From the Nationwide Series: #15-Annett, #24-McClure, #28-KWallace, #29-Bowyer, #49-Davis, and #89-Shepherd.
From the Camping World Truck Series: #1-Benson, #9-Papis, #10-Buescher, #11-Bell, #14-Crawford, #16-Scott, #24-Starr, #25-Cook and #30-Bodine.
Bobby Labonte and David Starr have taken their support to the next level. Both will sport Autism Speaks’ signature puzzle piece logo, “It’s time to listen,” phrase and website address AutismSpeaks.org on their quarter panels. Starr will also feature the same messaging proudly on his hood. Fans wanting to support Autism Speaks and wear the colors of the organization are encouraged to purchase a limited-edition Autism Speaks 400 collectible pin. Pins will be available at Dover International Speedway souvenir locations at the track on race weekend. The pin retails for $7 and a portion of all sales will benefit Autism Speaks. Great seats still remain for the May 29-31, 2009 race weekend at the Monster Mile. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(5-29-2009)
- Pit Road, Frontstretch Wall Improvements Make Debut At The Monster Mile: Pit road at Dover International Speedway historically has been one of the most difficult, not to mention tightest, on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. No longer.
During the winter, the track made major improvements to pit road. They include installation of a SAFER barrier supported by a new 1,592-foot concrete wall that wraps from Turn 4 down the frontstretch to near Turn 1. The new pit wall is 432 feet longer than the previous steel boilerplate wall. Also eliminated was the grass strip on the frontstretch. That allowed the wall to be placed closer to the track creating four additional feet of room to the width of passing on pit road. By lengthening the pit wall, the track was able to reconfigure the 43 pit stalls and make them longer in size. The pit boxes are 32 feet long compared with the previous 28-foot measurements. Thanks to the elimination of some grass in the infield of Turn 4, new apron space was created between Turns 3 and 4 to allow more room for cars to slow down as they approach the pit road entrance. This also created a new entrance for track emergency service vehicles to enter the speedway from the infield near the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage.(NASCAR PR)(5-29-2009)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
