Dover adds more SAFER barriers

All of the outside walls at Dover International Speedway will be covered by SAFER barriers by the time NASCAR makes its annual trek north this year.

The speedway announced Monday morning that construction would begin in March to install approximately 1,800 feet of SAFER barriers along the outside walls of the frontstretch and backstretch. That will include the gates used for track entry. Work will be completed in time for NASCAR's triple-header weekend on June 2-4.

"Continued improvements to our facility, particularly in the areas of fan and driver safety, are of the utmost importance to us," said president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, Mike Tatoian, in a track release. "The decision to add more SAFER barriers is a collaboration decision with NASCAR and various stakeholders, and collectively we felt this is something that needed to be completed prior to NASCAR's return to the Monster Mile this spring."

The project is a continuation of Dover working toward making the facility, which is nicknamed the Monster Mile, safer. Last year, Dover installed 500 feet of SAFER barriers ahead of its September race weekend along the outside wall in Turn 2, under the walkover bridge, as well as along the outside wall in Turn 4 entering the frontstretch.

In addition to the SAFER barriers, Dover also removed the grass hill where the Cup Series haulers parked, in order to increase space in the garage area. The Dover garage is one of the tightest in the series.

Other enhancements Dover has made in recent years includes eliminating three pit stalls to accommodate the 40-car fields, which then increased the length of the pit boxes; 550 feet of new asphalt was added to the area behind pit road; and SAFER barriers were added to the inside retaining walls on the backstretch and into Turn Three.

"Dover has really done a great job in making the facility as safe as possible for us as drivers," Joey Logano said. "The Monster Mile is an extremely fast track. For being a one-mile track, the high-banked corners and concrete surface produce really high speeds, and with that, you increase the risk for heavier impacts. As a driver, I really appreciate the investment in safety. The initiative to add 1,800 feet of SAFER barrier to completely cover the outside walls is another great step."

Dover hosts two NASCAR weekends each season, the first being a tripleheader with the Camping World Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series. In the fall, Dover plays hosts to playoff races for both the Xfinity and Cup Series.