NASCAR will race this week on the track called the “Monster Mile.” The Sprint Cup series drivers will battle in the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway.
Every week the drivers in NASCAR’s top division race each other and the track. However, when the race is at Dover drivers have to try to beat the other drivers AND beat the track that has a mascot named “Miles the Monster” guarding the entrance of the facility (pictured above). That massive statue and the track nickname, “Monster Mile,” gives drivers and teams fair warning about how much skill and focus will be needed to just finish the race let alone have a chance to win.
Since Jimmie Johnson won his first race at Dover he has served notice that he is the Master of the Monster Mile by winning 10 races at the track in the last 13 years. So, now you could say that the drivers will not only have to beat the track and the field, but also Jimmie specifically.
Those new to NASCAR may ask why is Dover called the “Monster Mile”? The reason is that the track is paved with concrete instead of asphalt. The concrete surface will wear out tires quickly, especially of the handling of the car is not set well. That rougher racing surface will also wear out tires if a driver runs too aggressively for too long. The result of either of these situations can be a blown tire and/or a spin that causes the car to crash and ends the day for that driver and team. The track allows for two and three wide passing down the straights. However, in most cases it would a smart move to get in line going through the turns to avoid a racing ending accident.
Other than Jimmie Johnson, which NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have done well on the “Monster Mile” during their careers? Let’s take a look at the top 10.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Dover
Jimmie Johnson – 120.1
Matt Kenseth – 107.7
Kyle Busch – 105.8
Carl Edwards – 98.6
Kyle Larson – 98.1
Greg Biffle – 95.4
Clint Bowyer – 92.5
Kevin Harvick – 91.2
Martin Truex Jr. – 91.2
Kurt Busch – 91.1
(Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2015 races (21 total) among active drivers at Dover International Speedway.)
I already mentioned that Jimmie Johnson has 10 wins at Dover which not only gives him the most wins at the track among active drivers, it also makes him the leader all-time on the “Monster Mile.” Jimmie won this race last year at the track. If he can win it again this year it will put him in a category that currently only includes racing legends and NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip. A win by Jimmie would make him only the third NASCAR Sprint Cup driver in history to score 11 or more wins at a single track.
Five other active drivers have multiple wins at Dover including Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman who have three wins each. Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch have beaten “Miles the Monster” for a pair of wins in their Sprint Cup careers.
Active Sprint Cup drivers that have managed to score a single win at Dover include Bobby Labonte, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and the winner of the fall race last year Kevin Harvick.
Which drivers will fall victim to the “Monster Mile” and which will have a shot at winning the race will be revealed starting at 12 noon central time (1 pm eastern time) in the AAA 400 Driver for Autism this Sunday, May 15th.
By: Buck Stevens
