Dover International Speedway - Taming The Monster

Dover International Speedway is better known as the Monster Mile. Have you ever wondered why? The obvious answer is that it has a reputation for devouring race cars. While that looks like an answer, it's really a result. Why does Dover have such a destructive effect on steel tubes and sheetmetal?

I have long wondered about this, so when I received an invitation from Monster Racing to get the full Dover driving experience, I jumped at the chance. The invitation also included guidance from Monster Racing's chief instructor, who has a unique Dover record unmatched by the most experienced Cup drivers.

I experienced more than just a driving school at Dover International Speedway. Going into this, I expected a top-notch deal. Why? Because only schools with a nearly impeccable record for service would invite a media person with 45 years of race experience to check out what the school is all about and how well it runs its program.

Run by Sonny Kruhm and John Dickey, Monster Racing is more oriented toward fans than driver training. Of the two partners, John is the chief instructor and Sonny the business/PR guru. But don't let Monster Racing's fan orientation lull you into thinking they don't have competitive driver tuition capability.

John Dickey has the distinction of having driven more Dover laps than any other driver. He passed the 100,000-mile mark about two years ago, and he knows how to put a Cup car round the Monster Mile very quickly because he almost lives there. And, yes, there are a few big-name drivers who have sought John's Dover expertise and went faster as a result.

Monster Racing is the only school at Dover. It has been that way from the start and it's very likely to stay that way. This, it appears, is the result of a great deal of mutual respect between Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, and Monster Racing.

"We put a very high priority on safety and organization," says Kruhm. "As a result, the track's key personnel have opened up the doors of flexibility. There are a number of well-run tracks, but it would be hard to find a more professional and dedicated group than the folks at Dover."

Anytime the words safety and race cars occur together, it brings to mind what might be best described as a contradiction of terms. Well, Monster Racing appears to be as close as you can get to eliminating that contradiction. In 12 years and over 500,000 school miles, the school has had only 11 accidents and no serious injuries. What that means is the accidents per mile are actually less than on the highway. Part of the safety equation is good preparation and maintenance of the school's cars. The other part is safety consciousness out on the track. For example, they pull in every car at 10-lap intervals to make a tire check.

Here's what you can expect if you decide to spend the bucks for a typical driver's day at Dover. First, there are about 30 cars. These are all former Cup, Busch, or Craftsman Truck race vehicles. Monster Racing only buys those with a rolling chassis capable of being restored to absolutely pristine condition.

The engine is replaced, even if it's a fresh unit, with a 410hp Chevy crate motor backed up by a Centerforce clutch and a GM gearbox. That may be a disappointment for those few who may think this is a way to experience the power of an all-original Cup car. But you have to be a real hot-shot driver coming out of the gate to even make the most of 410 hp at Dover, let alone an 840hp Cup engine. Furthermore, not many people can even get rolling with an aggressive twin-plate race clutch.

A bonus is that these cars are set up for Dover only. This proves to be an asset for many obvious reasons, but there is one less than obvious reason that ultimately enhances a track day at Dover for the total beginner to the more-experienced driver. The track is a challenge regardless of where you are on a scale of 1 to 10 as a driver. This makes the whole deal a lot more fun than even the most ardent enthusiast might at first suppose.

It is equally correct if the word fan is replaced with family in describing the school's orientation. I took my 10-year-old daughter along, and though she could not ride or drive (age limits of 16 and 18 apply), she was allowed to wave start and finish flags and belt me into the car (a job she has done many times). But many of the wives and girlfriends of the guys attending took the opportunity for a ride around. A photographer's wife said yes to a ride and announced afterward that the g-forces and speed provided a mind-blowing experience. I think it gave an extensive view of the skill needed to do a competitive lap time on an oval course.