NASCAR: What It’s Like To Experience Dover

Dover is one of NASCAR’s greatest tracks. From the concrete racing to the whole experience that comes along with it, every NASCAR fan should try and visit Dover for at least one race in their lifetime.

As the cars come around the last corner and dive back down across the start/finish line, you can barely see them as they race across the frontstretch.

This is one of the beauties of Dover.

The corners have a higher banking than the straights, so it looks like drivers are diving down after each corner.

Walking around the track you’ll notice a huge statue surrounded by people trying to take a picture with the track mascot, Miles the Monster.

The history engraved at it’s base is breathtaking and shows just how important this track is to NASCAR.

Off in the distance you can see the giant crowd that swirls around the statue. People move from tent to tent, event to event, trying to win prizes and participating in all there is to do at the track.

This is Dover; one of the top tracks in NASCAR that represents the sports history, exciting racing, and what it means to be a fan.

Dover continues to be the complete package for any NASCAR fan who is looking to fully take in what the sport has to offer, and should be the one track everyone experiences.

The Monster and Much More

One of the most unique features of Dover isn’t technically on the track. Miles the Monster, a gigantic statue at the front of the race track is the center of everything that goes on around the speedway.

Holding a car in his right hand, Miles is an intimating reminder of how unforgiving this track can be. However, along the bottom of the statue Dover has paid homage to some Hall of Fame drivers and previous winners at this track.

It’s a fantastic reminder of what drivers have to face if they want to be forever immortalized at Dover.

The statue isn’t the only experience fans get at this track though; before you even enter the grandstands or the pit area Dover has tons of events for everyone to enjoy.

From all the different sponsors around the track that are always giving away free things, like cold pit passes and t-shirts, to go-kart racing and the Monster FunZone for smaller children, Dover offers everything a NASCAR fan and NASCAR families could want.

There’s also the option to purchase add-ons for your Dover trip that will get you into certain areas where you can meet drivers, or options to go onto the track before the Sprint Cup race for a Q&A sessions with a Sprint Cup driver.

Dover offers racing fans a full experience before they even get to their seat in the stands. If however, you’re lucky enough to get hot or cold passes, the track becomes a completely different Monster.

What it’s Like Being in the Pit and Garage Area

With Dover being only a mile long (which might seem small, until you have to walk around it several times) one of the biggest benefits is how much smaller the pit area is.

Before you make it to the pit area though, you’ll have to cross a bridge that suspends right over the track. During a race, or a practice session, the cars will speed by right underneath you. You feel the vibration throughout your entire body and if you don’t have ear protection, prepare to go a little deaf.

Once you make it across the bridge and around the horse racing track of Dover Downs, you’ll come across the pit and garage areas.

Both are relatively close to each other and can get extremely busy. From crew team members, to fans, and even some drivers, if you do find yourself in this area make sure to pay attention to the teams trying to work.

This area too can keep fans busy as you try to find your favorite driver or just stare at NASCAR in motion. It’s one thing to see these teams working on the cars on TV, but it’s a completely different experience seeing it face-to-face.

Being able to walk around the garage and pit area is one great perks of a hot or cold pass. It can also help you get onto the track for pre-race ceremonies, like driver introductions and the national anthem.

But when the race does start, hot passes at Dover let fans see the race on the frontstretch and pit areas up close. There isn’t much seating, there’s really only a grassy hill, but if you don’t mind being able to see only one straightaway, than the view can be amazing.

Watching the race from the pits isn’t as glorious as it may seem however. One of the biggest issues is not being able to see the entire track, which is why having a seat in the stands grants fans a better view of the race. With Dover being on the smaller side, grabbing a seat facing the frontstretch can be the way to go to see all the action as drivers battle around the Monster Mile.

Dover continues to be one of the best tracks in NASCAR. From all the events outside of the track, to the fantastic views from both the stands and the pits, it is definitely one track every NASCAR fan needs to experience.

Related Story: Dover Is Exactly How NASCAR Should Be

I’ve been at Dover since Friday and will be here for tomorrows Sprint Cup race, so make sure to follow me on Twitter for photos and videos of tomorrows events.

Have you ever been to Dover? Make sure to leave a comment and let us know about your experience at the Monster Mile. For more NASCAR and racing news, don’t forget to check out BeyondTheFlag.com.