Dover International Speedway will build a new, expanded Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage following the upcoming May 3-5 NASCAR tripleheader weekend, track officials announced.
The project is on a fast track, with completion slated by the time of the second NASCAR weekend this year.
The new, larger Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage will be located between Turns 1 and 2 in the infield, a shift from its current spot closer to Turn 1. The current garage area has been in place since the Monster Mile’s first race, the “Mason-Dixon 300” on July 6, 1969.
The garage will include an Allied Steel Building, a corporate partner of Dover International Speedway and the sponsor of the “Allied Steel Buildings 200” NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race this weekend.
Another partner of Dover International Speedway, Raynor Garage Doors, is providing the garage doors for the project.
The garage will feature:
- Expanded square footage: 23,100 from 18,400, a 20 percent increase
- Includes 44 large garage bays (15-foot by 30-foot) with individual garage doors for cars and teams
- Larger garage area footprint: Existing guardrail facing Turns 1 and 2 to be removed, along with grass areas on the inside of the Turns. The area inside the apron will now be fully paved, with SAFER barriers covering the entire length of the inside walls of Turns 1 and 2.
- Cost: $5.5 million
- Design: Becker-Morgan Architects out of Dover, Del.
- Contractor: Kent Construction, Smyrna.
Work is scheduled to begin on May 6, right after the upcoming races, with completion by Sept. 20, before the Oct. 4-6 NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Sunday, Oct. 6, will be the 100th NASCAR Cup Series race in track history and the final race of the Monster Mile’s 50th Anniversary season.
Dover International Speedway will be the 10th track in the nation to host 100 or more NASCAR Cup Series races.
The upcoming May 3-5 NASCAR tripleheader weekend opens Dover’s 50th Anniversary season and includes the “JEGS 200” NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race on Friday, May 3 and the “Gander RV 400” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 5.
Owner Dover Motorsports has continued to make improvements at the track, despite a long period of lower attendance that led to the removal of seats.
Other NASCAR tracks have seen similar trends.
Factors ranging from an aging fan base to the effect of the economic downturn of a decade ago on Blue Collar workers, and issues related to the ownership of the NASCAR racing circuit by the France family have been blamed for the decline.
