The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to the “Monster Mile” of Dover Motor Speedway this week for the Duramax Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne.

This will be another challenge for the newest version of the Next Gen car. The car has proven to be a durable while also being a bit tough to handle for the drivers. The “Monster Mile” is known to be very tough on tires. When tires get worn, the handling goes away for the drivers. That may be amplified this weekend because of the track and cars.

Dover is a track that is a mile long. Sometimes it takes the “bump and run” move to make a pass. That has caused many accidents and damaged tempers in the past. We will have to wait and see how this all plays out this weekend.

Here is a look at the track and race data for this weekend.

Dover Motor Speedway Data:
Track Size: 1-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,076 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,076 feet

Duramax Drydene 400 Data:
Season Race #: 11 of 36 (05-01-22)
Race Length: 400 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 Length: 120 laps
Stage 2 Length: 130 laps
Final Stage Length: 150 laps

These are the ten active drivers that have the best overall driver rating at Dover Motor Speedway during their careers.

Kyle Larson – 106.5
Kyle Busch – 101.9
Martin Truex Jr. – 100.4
Kevin Harvick – 98.9
Chase Elliott – 93.8
Greg Biffle – 93.3
Brad Keselowski – 92.9
Denny Hamlin – 89.5
William Byron – 88.1
Joey Logano – 87.3
*Based on 2005-2021 races (33 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.

These are the active drivers that have won on the “Monster Mile” in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Kevin Harvick – 3 Wins (2020, 2018, 2015)
Martin Truex Jr. – 3 Wins (2019. 2016, 2007)
Kyle Busch – 3 Wins (2017, 2010, 2008)
Alex Bowman – 1 Win (2021)
Denny Hamlin – 1 Win (2020)
Kyle Larson – 1 Win (2019)
Chase Elliott – 1 Win (2018)
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (2012)
Kurt Busch – 1 Win (2011)

Races so far this season have been fun to watch. They have provided plenty of competition between almost all of the teams regardless of the size of the team they are. I don’t see any reason why this weekend won’t continue that trend. It may even take the excitement up a notch or two.

We will find out how it all plays out starting at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) Sunday, May 1st in the Duramax Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne at the “Monster Mile” of Dover Motor Speedway.

By: Buck Stevens