This weekend, NASCAR makes its annual return to Dover Motor Speedway. It hosted its first race NASCAR Cup Series in 1969 and will host its 106th race April 28.
The track is also known as The Monster Mile. What is it that allows the nickname to stick for so long?
In 2000, Dover adopted the most iconic track mascot on the schedule in Miles the Monster. The track brought its mascot to life in 2008 with its The Monster Makeover project that ushered in much-needed upgrades to the track as well as a 46-foot statue of Miles.
But besides the name and the mascot, the track is one of the most unique ovals on the NASCAR schedule. With its 24 degrees of banking on the turns (sixth largest on the schedule) and nine degrees of banking on the straightaways, many end up falling victim to the concrete monster.
Additionally, the steep banks produce blistering speeds, topping out at an average speed of up to 160 mph.
Additionally, some of the series’ craziest wrecks have taken place at the Monster Mile.
Joey Logano’s welcome-to-NASCAR moment came in his rookie campaign in the 2009 fall race on lap 32, when he flipped seven times in turn 3, tumbling down the 24-degree banking.
Only two years later in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Logano and Carl Edwards battled in overtime for the lead coming to the white flag, when Logano got loose on the high side, slamming into the wall. The impact triggered a multi-car incident where Clint Bowyer ramped off of Logano’s car and was T-boned by the No. 66 of Steve Wallace, ending the race.
The backstretch is also one of the most treacherous in NASCAR, the site of multiple multi-car pileups over the last few decades.
The 2007 fall playoff race had a 10-car pileup late in the race on lap 387 after Kurt Busch slammed the backstretch wall, involving many in the championship running.
Elliott Sadler lost control of his car in the same area, sending his No. 19 Best Buy Ford hard into the wall and collecting multiple cars barreling into the backstretch.
These moments live on in history and are replayed year upon year to remind everyone that Dover is indeed a tricky place if trouble strikes, and at a moment’s notice, a majority of the field could be in for a massive pileup that could end their day.