Saturday, February 19, 2011

Take The Family To Dover International Speedway

By Mike Woods


Thousands of race fans heading to Dover International Speedway have already discovered the convenience of booking their stay at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown Wilmington Legal District. Comfortable guest rooms and suites are equipped with all the expected amenities and within an easy one hour drive of the race track, making it the ideal place to stay during race weekends.

The speedway in Dover has been hosting races of all kinds since it opened the gates to the public in 1969. The unique configuration features a horse race track located within the one-mile speedway designed for car races. The facility hosted its first NASCAR sanctioned stock car event in July and celebrated legend Richard Petty as the first winner.

Over the years, the tricky speedway has built a reputation for crashing cars and that voracious appetite prompted the competitors to name it the Monster Mile. Drivers who dare to race there are rewarded for patience and respect while fans walk away with the experience of a lifetime.

In 2008, speedway officials dedicated the Monster Monument. Towering 46 feet tall in Victory Plaza, the glowing red eyes of Miles the Monster can be seen by passing motorists on Route 1. He strikes a menacing pose just outside Turn 4 with a full size stock car clutched in his raised hand. Miles greets visitors to the FanZone, a race fan paradise that sprawls over nearly eight acres. Here is where fans can get total immersion in the stock car racing experience with interactive attractions, sponsor sampling booths and souvenir haulers.

The property has undergone many changes over the years with the addition of Dover Downs Slots in 1995, the same year the track surface was converted to concrete. By 2001, grandstand expansions saw the seating capacity at 135,000, a number that surpassed any other mid-Atlantic region sports facility.

Lucky race fans saw their viewing experience elevated to the next level in 2004 with the introduction of the Monster Bridge. This glass structure hangs over Turn 3 and offers unobstructed views of the cars as they race by on track far below. The bridge definitely lives up to its hype as the most exciting seat in all of sports.

After an exciting day at the races, guests can return to the Doubletree Hotel and stop by the cafe for a bite to eat or enjoy a drink with friends in the lounge. The property includes a heated indoor pool and fitness center. High speed Internet access is available at no extra charge. Race fans will find everything they need for a memorable race weekend getaway.




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