NASCAR: Dover race marks a Cup Series first in 51 years
By Asher Fair
Dover International Speedway is set to host this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, the Drydene 400. But that is its only Cup Series race on this year’s schedule.
When the NASCAR Cup Series last visited Dover International Speedway, it was to officially get back on schedule after many races were cancelled, postponed or added to the 2020 calendar as a result of COVID-19-related restrictions.
That trip took place back in August and featured two races around the four-turn, 1.0-mile (1.609-kilometer) high-banked oval in Dover, Delaware, the first being a makeup race from what was scheduled to be a May event at the “Monster Mile”, and the second being the regularly scheduled summer event at the track.
Must Read. Dale Earnhardt Jr. still annoys Martin Truex Jr.. light
However, this weekend’s Cup Series race, the 400-lap Drydene 400, is the only race on the schedule at the track this year.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
The reason for this is the addition of Nashville Superspeedway to the schedule. The four-turn, 1.333-mile (2.145-kilometer) oval in Lebanon, Tennessee has never hosted a Cup Series race before, but is slated to do so for the first time on Sunday, June 20 with the Ally 400.
Nashville Superspeedway, like Dover International Speedway, is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc., and it was decided early last June that the latter would lose one of its two race dates to make way for the former.
Dover International Speedway has hosted a total of 102 Cup Series races going back to 1969 when it opened, and in every one of 50 seasons from 1971 to 2020, it hosted two events.
It has only hosted one event in a season on two occasions: 1969 and 1970.
After this weekend, we will be able to add 2021 to that short list.
Next. Top 25 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
So don’t miss this Sunday afternoon’s Drydene 400. Fox Sports 1 is set to broadcast the race live from Dover International Speedway beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.