By Rich Foust

Formerly known as Dover Downs Speedway, the track was renamed in 2002 to Dover International Speedway and is located in Dover, Delaware. They broke ground in 1966 and opened in 1969 and host two cup events each year. It is a one mile oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns and 9 degrees of banking on the straights. The surface is concrete, although it was asphalt until 1995 and now seats 135,000.

Drivers with the most wins are Bobby Allison, Richard Petty and Jimmy Johnson each with 7 wins. The driver with the most top-fives is Mark Martin, with 23. Mark also has the most top-tens at 31. The youngest winner is Kyle Busch, at the age of 23 years 29 days and the oldest is Harry Gant at 52 years 4 months 21 days. The qualifying record set by Jeremy Mayfield on June 4, 2004 at a time of 22.288 and speed of 161.522-mph. The record race speed held by Mark Martin, is at 132.719-mph in September 1 1997.

Quite an impressive history for one of NASCAR’s  prized tracks, this track will test the Chase drivers and teams. Making passes has proven difficult in the past, so qualifying is crucial. Although two-wide racing is possible, the bottom is the perferred line. With all this in mind, race #3 will be challenging for Chase drivers and their crews but very exciting for the fans.

The monster looms outside the track but the MONSTER MILE lies within its hallowed walls.