Dover Motor Speedway

Track Info

Location	Dover, Delaware
Type	Oval (1-Mile)
Length	1.0 miles (1.609 km)
Banking	24 degrees in turns, 9 degrees on straights
Surface	Concrete
Capacity	~95,000
Opened	1969

Track Characteristics

Dover Motor Speedway - nicknamed "The Monster Mile" - is one of the most physically demanding tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The 1-mile concrete oval combines steep 24-degree banking with a hard, abrasive concrete surface that punishes both tires and drivers. The high banking and short straightaways mean cars are constantly loaded through the turns, putting tremendous force on the right side of the car and on the driver's body.

The concrete surface is what makes Dover truly unique. Unlike asphalt tracks where the surface degrades and changes over a race weekend, concrete is consistent but unforgiving. It provides less grip than asphalt, especially in hot conditions, and the hard surface transmits every bump and vibration directly into the car. Tire management at Dover is critical, as the concrete chews through tires at an alarming rate.

The track's high-banked turns and short straights create a rhythm that rewards commitment and consistency. Drivers describe Dover as a track where you must "attack it" - carrying maximum speed through the turns is essential, but one mistake on the unforgiving concrete can end your day. The Monster Mile has earned its reputation as one of the toughest tracks on the circuit.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) - approximately 75 miles north. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is about 80 miles southwest.
Nearest City	Dover, DE. The state capital, with the track located near the Dover Air Force Base. Nearby beaches along the Delaware coast are about an hour east.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - One race per year
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026 NASCAR Event Info

Cup Race	Würth 400
Date	April 26, 2026
TV	FOX

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Rusty Wallace - 159.964 mph (2004)
Race Record	Mark Martin - 132.719 mph (1997)

Notable Past Races

• 2001: Dale Earnhardt Jr. won at Dover just months after losing his father, providing an emotional victory that helped the sport begin to heal.
• 2007: Jimmie Johnson won his record-setting 10th race at Dover, making it the track most closely associated with his dynasty. He eventually won 11 times at The Monster Mile.
• 2011: Kurt Busch held off a furious Kyle Busch in a battle of brothers that produced one of the most entertaining finishes in Dover history.
• 2019: Martin Truex Jr. won the fall playoff race at Dover, using tire strategy to overcome a dominant Kevin Harvick in the closing laps.

Track Facts

• Jimmie Johnson holds the record for most Cup wins at Dover with 11 victories, earning it the unofficial title of "Jimmie Johnson Speedway" among fans.
• The famous "Miles the Monster" statue sits in the front stretch, a 46-foot-tall concrete monster holding a stock car, symbolizing the track's fearsome reputation.
• Dover is one of only two tracks on the Cup schedule with a concrete surface, the other being Bristol Motor Speedway.
• The track was built by the same family that owns the Dover Downs horse racing and casino complex adjacent to the speedway.

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