If you're thinking of heading down to Dover, Del., to check out some NASCAR action this weekend here is the schedule of on-track events, and a couple of other things.
Here's a few things to know about Dover.
If you've never been to a NASCAR race, then this is a great track to go to. You can see the entire way around. The only advice about seats, is try to get up a little higher, especially if you are in the corners. That's because the banking makes it hard to see the cars on the track if you are in one of the lower rows.
If you're interested in taking young children and don't want to spend a ton of money, Saturday is a really good day. It's less crowded, making it easier to get around to vendors and different events outside of the track. You can also see the Nationwide race and the Sprint Cup practice and qualifying. The Sprint Cup final practice Friday afternoon, will likely give a good indication of whose going to be the top contenders for the race.
Also, no matter which day you go on, and if you want to save a little money, it's well worth taking at least a smaller cooler with food and drinks, rather than paying concession stand prices. That's not a knock on Dover, or not that the food is bad, but if you're taking two or three others with you, the total dollars for food and money can add up pretty quickly. It's that way with all big-time sports these days.
The weather looks cooler for the weekend, temperatures in the 60s, and no rain forecast for Sunday. Looks like it will be a great day for Race No. 3 in the Chase.
Here's that schedule.
Friday
10 a.m. Gates open
10 a.m NASCAR K&N Pro Series East qualifying
11 a.m.-12:25 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice
12:35-2:30 p.m. NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice
1 p.m. NASCAR K&N Pro Series East autograph session
2:40-4:15 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice
4:30 p.m. NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver introductions
4:45 p.m. NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race
Saturday
10 a.m. Gates open
10-11:30 a.m. NASCAR Nationwide Open Track Session
12:05 p.m NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying
1:40 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying
3 p.m. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver introductions
3:30 p.m. NASCAR Nationwide Series race
Sunday, October 2
10 a.m. Gates Open
10:45 a.m. Matt Kenseth FREE question-and-answer session at Monster Monumen
1:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver introductions
2 p.m. "AAA 400" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race
Showing posts with label NASCAR at Dover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NASCAR at Dover. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Streaky stuff involving Dover
Now that Tony Stewart has won the first two races in the Chase for the Championship, that allows us to think about three in a row, the last time it happened, and what are the possibilities of it happening at Dover this Sunday.
So, here we go, and just as a note, these streaks are dated with the Modern Era, since 1972, when NASCAR began having fewer races in its season.
First, Stewart has never won three in a row. The last time a driver won three straight NASCAR Sprint Cup races was in 2007 when Jimmie Johnson actually won four in a row, taking the checkered flag at Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix. None of those races were in the final 10 Chase for the Championship.
If you're looking for some streak history involving Dover, Cale Yarborough won his second of four straight there in 1976, Bobby Allison won the last of three straight there in 1983, Harry Gant won the third of fourth straight there in 1991, Rusty Wallace won the first of three straight there in 1994 and Jeff Gordon won the first of three straight there in 1996.
So, what are the odds of Stewart winning his third straight this Sunday at Dover? Well, he has two wins, three second-place finishes and 10 top fives there in 25 career starts. However, both wins came in 2000. In this year's May race at Dover, Stewart struggled with a poor handling car and fueling issues and finished 29th.
That seems like a long time ago now, and Stewart can only hope it's a bad memory that won't be repeated.
Stewart will enter the third race in the Chase with a seven-point lead over Kevin Harvick, with Brad Keselowski 11 points behind, and Carl Edwards 14 back.
Until next time.
So, here we go, and just as a note, these streaks are dated with the Modern Era, since 1972, when NASCAR began having fewer races in its season.
First, Stewart has never won three in a row. The last time a driver won three straight NASCAR Sprint Cup races was in 2007 when Jimmie Johnson actually won four in a row, taking the checkered flag at Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix. None of those races were in the final 10 Chase for the Championship.
If you're looking for some streak history involving Dover, Cale Yarborough won his second of four straight there in 1976, Bobby Allison won the last of three straight there in 1983, Harry Gant won the third of fourth straight there in 1991, Rusty Wallace won the first of three straight there in 1994 and Jeff Gordon won the first of three straight there in 1996.
So, what are the odds of Stewart winning his third straight this Sunday at Dover? Well, he has two wins, three second-place finishes and 10 top fives there in 25 career starts. However, both wins came in 2000. In this year's May race at Dover, Stewart struggled with a poor handling car and fueling issues and finished 29th.
That seems like a long time ago now, and Stewart can only hope it's a bad memory that won't be repeated.
Stewart will enter the third race in the Chase with a seven-point lead over Kevin Harvick, with Brad Keselowski 11 points behind, and Carl Edwards 14 back.
Until next time.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A little less Thunder on the Mountain
For years drivers and many fans have been complaining that the two Pocono races were too long, at 500 miles. On the often hot and humid days up on the mountain, the extra distance took a physical toll on drivers and on equipment with its three unique turns and long front straightaway. As for the fans, sometimes it's hard to think about going and sitting out in the heat and humidity for what was often times in excess of four hours. So it was announced Wednesday the races starting next year will be 400 miles.
The pure racing fans probably won't like the move to the shorter distance. The extra miles are suppose to tell us who is the best driver and who has the best car. But with the Car of Tomorrow, that often doesn't tell us who is going to win the race anyway as these cars are hard to pass in traffic. These days it's all about track position and fuel strategy at the end, it doesn't matter if its 400 or 500 miles.
Looking ahead
With bits and pieces of the 2012 schedule known, here's how the Dover-Pocono schedule is shaping up. Dover's first race will be June 3 and then it will be to Pocono the next weekend, June 10. Then the Sprint Cuppers return to Pocono on Aug. 5 and their final time in the area will be at Dover Sept. 30.
Thunder on the Mountain
Thunder on the Mountain is a Bob Dylan song, but maybe the good people at Pocono Raceway should use that as their marketing theme for two reasons: 1) Simply the loudness of the cars as they rumble down the long straightaway. 2) It seems like you can almost count on some type of afternoon thundershower up there in these summer months to delay things for a while, like the 1 hour, 40 minute delay we had Sunday.
Helpers and hurters
The final 19 laps at Pocono Sunday brought about some changes in the points standings.
First, Joey Logano, who had been in contention to win much of the day, fell from the top 10 and finished 26th. Second, Denny Hamlin, who was also in contention to win much of the day, faded late and finished 15th. Gibbs Racing teammates Logano and Hamlin combined to lead 109 laps. Hamlin's faded coincided with Tony Stewart's charge from 20th to 11th in those final laps, meaning Stewart remained ninth in the points standings, one ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two wild-card spots based on the wins by drivers who are 11th-20th in the points go to winner Brad Keselowski, who has two wins this season, and Hamlin, who has one, but is 11th the overall standings.
Until next time.
The pure racing fans probably won't like the move to the shorter distance. The extra miles are suppose to tell us who is the best driver and who has the best car. But with the Car of Tomorrow, that often doesn't tell us who is going to win the race anyway as these cars are hard to pass in traffic. These days it's all about track position and fuel strategy at the end, it doesn't matter if its 400 or 500 miles.
Looking ahead
With bits and pieces of the 2012 schedule known, here's how the Dover-Pocono schedule is shaping up. Dover's first race will be June 3 and then it will be to Pocono the next weekend, June 10. Then the Sprint Cuppers return to Pocono on Aug. 5 and their final time in the area will be at Dover Sept. 30.
Thunder on the Mountain
Thunder on the Mountain is a Bob Dylan song, but maybe the good people at Pocono Raceway should use that as their marketing theme for two reasons: 1) Simply the loudness of the cars as they rumble down the long straightaway. 2) It seems like you can almost count on some type of afternoon thundershower up there in these summer months to delay things for a while, like the 1 hour, 40 minute delay we had Sunday.
Helpers and hurters
The final 19 laps at Pocono Sunday brought about some changes in the points standings.
First, Joey Logano, who had been in contention to win much of the day, fell from the top 10 and finished 26th. Second, Denny Hamlin, who was also in contention to win much of the day, faded late and finished 15th. Gibbs Racing teammates Logano and Hamlin combined to lead 109 laps. Hamlin's faded coincided with Tony Stewart's charge from 20th to 11th in those final laps, meaning Stewart remained ninth in the points standings, one ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two wild-card spots based on the wins by drivers who are 11th-20th in the points go to winner Brad Keselowski, who has two wins this season, and Hamlin, who has one, but is 11th the overall standings.
Until next time.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A bit of good news from Dover
If you're a NASCAR fan and for financial or other reasons, can't get to the Sprint Cup races at Dover on Sundays, then Saturday just may be your day. It was announced earlier Wednesday that the Saturdays at Dover will be cheaper and busier.
First, Sprint Cup qualifying at Dover will be on Saturdays for the Sunday races on May 15 and October 2. The Nationwide races will also be on Saturdays, so you'll get to see plenty of your favorite drivers on that day.
The other bit of good news from Dover came in the Saturday ticket pricing. The age limit to receive the $8 children's ticket has been raised to 14. That's an opportunity for more of the family to go. It's definitely a step in the right direction to get more people in the seats on Saturdays and make the ride to Delaware worth it.
First, Sprint Cup qualifying at Dover will be on Saturdays for the Sunday races on May 15 and October 2. The Nationwide races will also be on Saturdays, so you'll get to see plenty of your favorite drivers on that day.
The other bit of good news from Dover came in the Saturday ticket pricing. The age limit to receive the $8 children's ticket has been raised to 14. That's an opportunity for more of the family to go. It's definitely a step in the right direction to get more people in the seats on Saturdays and make the ride to Delaware worth it.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Some quick impressions on Dover race
It looked like it was Jimmie Johnson's day, but Kyle Busch didn't assume the No. 48 was going to Victory Lane like it has so many times here. He kept the pressure on and it at least contributed to Johnson making a mistake by speeding out of pit lane.
Still no wins for Ford this, but a third today. If you count Johnson, it was really the fourth best car though.
Speaking of Fords, a nice run by Biffle who started 24th and finished sixth.
The official attendance estimate was 88,000. That seems a little high going by the empty seats.
Just 13 cars finished on the lead lap, a testament to how dominating Busch and Johnson were throughout the day.
Johnson has been a little snakebit the last few weeks, but he's still a major contender to win the Chase. He's been one of the fastest cars each week, so he'll get it together in time for the last 10, you can count on that.
Still no wins for Ford this, but a third today. If you count Johnson, it was really the fourth best car though.
Speaking of Fords, a nice run by Biffle who started 24th and finished sixth.
The official attendance estimate was 88,000. That seems a little high going by the empty seats.
Just 13 cars finished on the lead lap, a testament to how dominating Busch and Johnson were throughout the day.
Johnson has been a little snakebit the last few weeks, but he's still a major contender to win the Chase. He's been one of the fastest cars each week, so he'll get it together in time for the last 10, you can count on that.
Live at Dover through 375 laps
On green flag stops, Johns too fast off pit road. That's a drive through penalty and no win for Johnson. Too bad, it would have been a great dual at the finish between Busch and Johnson. Now it's Busch's race to win. Everything's got to go perfect to win one of these things and Johnson's speeding penalty was a big mistake.
Live at Dover through 275 laps
While Johnson is leading, it took 10 laps, sorry three laps off on that prediction, Allmendinger is on the move now and is 13th. Let's just get this out of the way here, unless he has an accident or engine failure, the only way Johnson has a chance to be beaten today is if there is a re-start with two laps to go and Kyle Busch gets a jump on him. But even that's certainly no guarantee.
Live at Dover through 125 laps
Johnson stretching the lead out against Allmendinger, who is comfortably ahead of Kyle Busch, who is third. Stewart gaining a little on Busch, too. What's Dale Jr. doing out there? He's among those who have already been lapped.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Dover and Dover and Dover again
Some thoughts on this week's upcoming race at Dover, Del., the closest NASCAR's major series comes to Delaware County.
First, Dover, being just a one-mile track is a great place to watch a race. You can see the entire track from almost any seat, but just remember, as is the case with most races, the higher the seat the better. The only questionable seating area at Dover, by that I mean the only place you can't see the entire track, is in the third turn due to the bridge seating at the end of the backstretch.
Second, I like Dover because it's loud. You can't be an auto racing fan without liking loud engines can you? The sound echoes around the concrete track and while it's advisable to have some kind of earplugs, and essential if you're taking smaller children, even with that protection it's still plenty loud. The loudest places are the seats coming off the second and fourth turns, when the cars are accelerating.
Third, if you don't have the money to spend on Sunday tickets, Saturday is a lot less crowded and the tickets are cheaper for the Nationwide race which starts at 2 p.m. Some key guys in the Nationwide race this week are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray. There are also special ticket deals for children for Saturday and that's always helpful.
And last for this post, the grand marshal this weekend is The King, a seven-time winner in his driving days at Dover, back when the races were 500 miles. You've got to love The King.
First, Dover, being just a one-mile track is a great place to watch a race. You can see the entire track from almost any seat, but just remember, as is the case with most races, the higher the seat the better. The only questionable seating area at Dover, by that I mean the only place you can't see the entire track, is in the third turn due to the bridge seating at the end of the backstretch.
Second, I like Dover because it's loud. You can't be an auto racing fan without liking loud engines can you? The sound echoes around the concrete track and while it's advisable to have some kind of earplugs, and essential if you're taking smaller children, even with that protection it's still plenty loud. The loudest places are the seats coming off the second and fourth turns, when the cars are accelerating.
Third, if you don't have the money to spend on Sunday tickets, Saturday is a lot less crowded and the tickets are cheaper for the Nationwide race which starts at 2 p.m. Some key guys in the Nationwide race this week are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray. There are also special ticket deals for children for Saturday and that's always helpful.
And last for this post, the grand marshal this weekend is The King, a seven-time winner in his driving days at Dover, back when the races were 500 miles. You've got to love The King.
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