Dover pit road to be fixed

UPDATE

Crews use a crane to pull the existing wall out of the ground to make way for the new concrete barrier.

Phase three of Dover International Speedway’s “Monster Makeover" is currently underway as the focus for improvements has turned to inside the track. Construction crews in Dover have already removed the existing front stretch pit wall and preparations are underway to install a longer, SAFER wall in time for the May 29-31, 2009 NASCAR race weekend. The end result will be a wider, safer pit road, and one additional pit stall.

Construction began in mid-December 2008 as crews removed the existing 1160 ft. inside steel retaining wall that separated pit road from the apron and concrete racing surface. The demolition makes way for a new 1592 ft. concrete wall that will be fully equipped with SAFER barrier. The SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barrier walls consist of rectangular steel tubing backed by foam blocks, and reduces the force of the initial impact of a crash.

The new inside retaining wall will be 432 ft. longer than the previous configuration and will be extended further into Turn 4, allowing the track to add a 43rd pit stall for competitors. The wall will also be set nearly five feet closer to the track apron, eliminating all grass on the frontstretch, while providing more space in the drive lane of pit road. A large plot of grass will also be removed in Turn 4 to make way for the new entrance to pit road.

“This project is another example of our commitment to making capital improvements to the facility to create an ‘all-new Dover,’" said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. “The first two phases of Monster Makeover construction focused on adding new amenities for fans of the Monster Mile. This year we’ll make modifications to the areas that directly impact the competition, by widening pit road, and creating a safer environment for the crews who are battling in the trenches on race day."

Dover International Speedway is in the midst of its multi-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement project dubbed the “Monster Makeover." The first phase of construction was completed in 2007 and included, among other things, a new skybox complex, an expansion of the Infield Media Center and continued beautification of the entire property.

In 2008, Dover unveiled the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA, a 46-foot-tall structure depicting the track’s signature character Miles the Monster. Other construction projects included a new main entranceway for fans on race weekend, an expansion of the FanZone display area, and the addition of a new emergency services building.

Third phase of Monster Makeover construction: Pit wall and pit road (January 8, 2009)
Crews remove beams from the site of the old boiler plate pit wall.	Crews use a crane to pull the existing wall out of the ground to make way for the new concrete barrier.	A construction worker continues to work on the existing pit wall.
The remnants of the old pit wall sit piled up on pit road.	The grass in front of the pit road wall has been eliminated.	A shot of pit road from the start-finish line.
One-by-one the posts were removed.	A worker removes piece of the beam.	A view of pit road near Victory Lane.
After the crew removed the boiler plate they turned their attention towards pulling the support posts from the ground.	A crane was used to lift portions of the wall from the ground.	Pieces of the old pit wall lay in a crumbled heap on pit road.
A single beam from the old pit wall remains standing.	A worker clears scraps from the pit wall.

01/08/09 Dover International Speedway is set to announce Thursday that it is adding a 43rd pit stall and widening pit road by tearing down the current retaining wall and replacing it with one that includes a SAFER barrier. Construction began roughly three weeks ago. Previously, the track had only 42 pit stalls – forcing the last two cars in the field to share a stall until another competitor fell out of the race – and a narrow pit road that caused many incidents over the years. Now, pit road will extend further into Turn 4 – allowing for the extra stall – while expanding toward the track's frontstretch apron by nearly five feet. The old steel wall caused many in the stands to hold their breath after seeing drivers bash into the barrier from accidents started out of Turn 4 or at the start of the frontstretch. The new wall means that all grass along the frontstretch will be eliminated, as well as a section of grass in Turn 4. The pit road changes are the third phase of what the track is calling its "Monster Makeover." Previously, the so-called Monster Mile revamped its fan zone – including the addition of a 46-foot-tall Monster Monument – added a new skybox complex and refurbished its media center. SceneDaily