Dover Motor Speedway: NASCAR Track Facts

What Kind of Weather Conditions Does Dover Speedway Experience?

With Dover bing a little further north than most NASCAR races at this stage of the season it often has pleasant mild weather between 15 and 20 degrees. Perfect racing weather, for the fans at least.

The ticket price range for Dover usually start at $35 -$167 for general admission depending where the seat is located, You can pay more for suites and weekend passes of course.

Camping and RV parking and hosting will also add to these prices.

It was originally built in 1969 by Melvin Joseph of Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, with the assistance of Curtis Turner. The aim when it was constructed was to host both Auto racing and horseracing. It took three years to complete once it was started in 1966 and the first race was won by Richard Petty ( who else) in 1969.

The speedway has been home to two NASCAR Sprint Cup races since 1971, Prior to this is was just a single cup race a year. These races, as of 2022 have reverted back to one a year called the DuraMAX Dydene 400 which is in May. It also has an ARCA and a Xfinity race on the same weekend.

Dover International Speedway was initially nicknamed the \”Monster Mile\” due to the wear it put on both cars and drivers. There were some races that teams had a relief driver who may be called on to finish the race, those drivers that did finish were often exhausted.

The reasons are the differences in pressure and loading on the car as it travels round, it puts pressure on the car in different areas, and pressure on the drivers in their upper body.

There have been improvements made to the track that have attempted to address the difficulty. Race lengths have dropped from 500 to 400 miles, this happened in 1997, and the track was resurfaced with concrete in 1995.

However Dover is still one of the most difficult tracks despite its small size and one that drivers approach with caution. It certainly lives up to its nickname the \”Monster Mile\” as it will bite the unwary.

Is Dover Motor Speedway a NASCAR Short Track?

Although NASCAR Defines a short track as a track less than one mile in length, people often do refer to Dover as a Short Track. The track is one of five short tracks to hold a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, and one of only three (the other two being Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway) to host all three of NASCAR\’s top touring series.

The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was held on June 4, 1971, won by David Pearson. Previously exhibition events ahde been run, the first being won by Richard Petty.

The track has been lengthened and widened several times since its original construction, most notably in 1995 when the turns were banked at 24 degrees (instead of 15), and the frontstretch was lengthened by 133 feet (40.6 m). In addition in 1995 the track was resurfaced with concrete, having previously been asphalt.

In 1993, the truck series began racing at Dover Downs, followed by the IndyCar Series in 1995. The track has also hosted ARCA, ASA, equipment and Goody\’s Dash races. The speedway is one of the few tracks to host all three of NASCAR\’s top series in the same weekend, doing so for the first time in 1994. The track is also one of a handful of oval tracks to host both the IndyCar Series and NASCAR.

Dover International Speedway has been named one of the \”Top 10 Motorsports Venues\” in the world by USA Today and one of the \”Top 5 NASCAR Tracks\” by NASCAR.com.

The track has a seating capacity of 95,000 currently, though this has changed at different times throughout the years.

Does Dover Motor Speedway Have Lighting for Night Racing?

Dover does not have lights for night racing. There are only five tracks that do not have lights in the current Cup series season. Talladega, New hampshire, Pocono and Michigan and dover. Due to the proximity of an Airforce base to the track they are unable to install lights at the racetrack.

The NASCAR Cup Series races at Dover are 400 laps, This was lowered from 500 a few years ago due to the stresses of racing at this tough track.

The race in distance is 400 miles at Dover Motor Speedway, however in time as it has changed from 500 to 400 miles is different.

• The record time for 500 miles is held by Bill Elliott at 3 hours 58 minutes and 12 seconds
• The record time for 400 miles is held by Kyle Larson at 2 hours 56 minutes and 49 seconds.

Dover Motor Speedway Track records

Dover Motor Speedway is a one mile Oval Track, and its banking is 24-degree banking in the turns. the straightaways are 9 degree banking.

Tickets for the Cup series NASCAR Races and other NASCAR races can be purchased online at the speedway\’s website or by calling the ticket office.

The address of Dover Speedway is 131 North Dupont Highway,
Dover, Delaware, 19901

Yes, you can camp or bring an RV to the Dover Speedway. Camping and RV spots can be reserved through the speedway\’s website.

Pets are not allowed in the grandstands, but they are allowed in the camping areas. All pets must be on a leash at all times. Service animals are permitted.

Yes, Dover Motor Speedway has wifi all through its seats. It also went through an upgrade in 2016.

The phone number for the speedway is 1-800-441-RACE

Dover has a wide variety of food and drink concessions. Some of the options include hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, chicken, sandwiches, salads, soft drinks, beer, and wine. . You can bring your own food, beer and drinks too. Just make sure your cooler is 14x14x14 and soft sided, see below.

Can you bring Coolers to Dover Motor Speedway?

Coolers are allowed to be taken into dover speedway as long as they are soft sided (we have an article on the details here) and you can bring food and drinks inside the speedway. You are allowed to bring your own beer also, just don\’t bring glass bottles. Coolers should be 14\” x 14\” x14\” inches. See the article above for what style you are allowed.

Do you need Seat Cushions At Dover Speedway?

No, seat cushions are not required at Dover. However, they are allowed and we have details on the best ones here.

Is There an Age Limit For Entering the Dover speedway

There is no age limit for entering the Dover Motor Speedway. However, children under the age of 12 the cup series races cost just 10 dollars ( call in advance though) and children under 12 can go to NASCAR Xfinity / Truck races as well for free! To buy alcohol you will need to have ID and be over 21.

We suggest ear protection for little ears though.

Dover is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in grandstands. There is also parking assigned. Lift are wheel chair accessible.

Some items that you may want to bring to the Dover races include sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, binoculars, and comfortable shoes.

You can also bring a cooler ( special size see here) with your own food and drinks.

Dover Motor speedway has events throughout the race days starting at around 9am, if you would like to see them then arrive before this time.

Arriving early also helps you avoid the queues if you are planning on getting food and drinks prior to the Green flag.

Hopefully you have all the information you need for your visit to Monster Mile NASCAR track, and have a great day! Enjoy!