Here’s what makes Dover NASCAR’s Monster Mile

DOVER, Del. (NEXSTAR) — Drivers will face some unique challenges when they take on the concrete-paved track of Dover Motor Speedway this weekend. It’s one of three concrete tracks in NASCAR Cup Series but that’s far from the only thing that sets it apart. The defining feature of Dover Motor Speedway is its one-mile oval shape, a rarity in the NASCAR circuit. This, coupled with the track’s concrete and continuous banking, provides a true challenge for drivers.

Topping it all off: nine-degree banking on the front and back stretches, and a staggering 24-degree banking in the turns, according to Michael Lewis, Manager of Communication at Dover Motor Speedway. This configuration gives drivers the sensation of speed, even though they may be traveling slower compared to tracks like Daytona or Talladega.

One driver described it as a “roller coaster off the tracks.” And that’s what makes it the Monster Mile. They even have Miles the Monster to prove it.

Others have likened entering a corner at Dover Motor Speedway to descending from a four-story building. This visceral experience awaits the drivers who will tackle the Monster Mile, with the ARCA Menards Series drivers kicking off the action Friday.

On Sunday, fans of this weekend’s Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race will get to see legendary driver Jimmie Johnson make his return to Dover for the first time since 2020. Johnson holds an impressive 11 wins at the Monster Mile.

Additionally, NASCAR will honor Richard Petty, commemorating his significant contribution to the sport over the past 75 years.

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