1st time @ Dover.........any tips?

Canadian GP

Canadian GP

Old as dirt!
Joined
Apr 28, 2005
Messages
295
Points
328
Location
Niagara Ontario Canada
As the title says I'm heading to Dover next week for the first time. Any tips on what to see, where to eat, best way into the track from the north and how's the parking?

Thanks.
 
Take Delaware Hwy 1 south and exit at Exit 104. Pay the toll, get into the left lane and make a left at the light on DuPont Hwy. Continue about 1 mile and Dover Downs is on the left.

Parking on the site is fairly well organized. I get there at 6AM to avoid the traffic. Even then it is backed up a bit.

Forget about a motel there. You will have to stay up in Wilmington or across the river in NJ. Most places are fully booked or the prices are outrageous. I am staying in the town of North East, Maryland and have an hour commute both ways on both days.

There are lots of restaurants around the area but they will be crowded. There is a crab house off the road in Smyrna or Leipsic where a lot of Nascar folks go to eat. Can't remember the name of the place but they have the main area and the back room and they sort of try to keep the fans seperate from the team people so they can eat without being disturbed. But many stand outside to say hello to those arriving. When I was there a couple of years ago, we sat across from Richard Childress and some other folks. The atmosphere was good and food was too. This was on a Saturday night.

Dover is quite crowded as there aren't many north south highways and places to eat fill up quickly. Since I do hospitality, I unload and set up my car on Friday, come in early on Saturday and Sunday and pack up and leave when the races start. I usually eat somewhere 40 miles away or more. LOL

Have a safe trip and enjoy the race.
 
The closer you park to the track the longer it takes to even be able to move. I parked at the track on a Monday race that was delayed for rain and it took an hour before I got out of my spot. I parked at the mall next door last year, it's close enough so your not exhusted before you even get to the track but again be prepared to wait for a while to get going. The mall is open before the race but is closed by the time the race is over so no mall food post race. They do not let you make a left out of any parking area except maybe the track itself therefore I park on the same side as the track so I can be headed in the right direction for the way home.

Anyone else with info, I've only been there twice
 
Canadian GP said:
As the title says I'm heading to Dover next week for the first time. Any tips on what to see, where to eat, best way into the track from the north and how's the parking?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
The track is right smack in the middle of Downtown Dover, so there is lots of places to eat and lots to do. It's right next to the mall I believe.

I live about 2 hours away, so last few times I've gone, I went the morning of the race.

If you stay in Maryland, you'll be content to find some local crab shop and eat there. Don't stay near Ocean City though -- they're always packed. It might be better to stay farther away near The Bay Bridge that way you can get a lower hotel right. If you wouldn't mind the drive, I'd let you stay here in DC with me. :beerbang:

Dover Downs Casino is right on the backstretch, so hop over there before or after the race and go play the slots (may luck be on your side). I won $25 last time I was there. The track packs up quickly, so get there early. It's going to be a superspeedway sized crowd... track seats 140,000 and comes close to selling out all the time.

As far as the racing, best seats I ever had were in turn 4. But the racing can be very boring at times. I've been to some great races at Dover, but I've also been to some real snoozers.

If you're willing to skip the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, for whatever reason, I'd suggest a drive up to Millville, NJ. They're running a vintage grand prix festival at New Jersey Motorsports Park all day.

Dover's also about an hour from Baltimore and Philadelphia, and two hours from DC. If you go to Philly, I reccomend Warmdaddys or Ginos for cheesteak. :growl: Towson is the party spot in Baltimore. In fact, I'm sure you could find a hotel in Philly for a decent rate. Aloft Philadelphia (over by the airport) is a very nice hotel, and I didn't pay more than $80/night.

If you come to DC, let me know. I'll be here all weekend. :(
 
That's quite a dilemma. Here's what I'll do for you. Send me your tickets and I'll make an informative documentary of my trip to the race so next year you'll know exactly what to do and what not to do. I would be willing to do that for you. What can I say, I'm a giver.
 
Thanks for all the tips and info on what to do and where to eat. I have a motel about 10 minutes north of the track so I'll have lots of time to check out what's around the area. Do they charge to park in the tracks parking lots?
 
Canadian GP said:
Thanks for all the tips and info on what to do and where to eat. I have a motel about 10 minutes north of the track so I'll have lots of time to check out what's around the area.
Click to expand...

There's a lot around the area. Although, if I'm not far from the track, I'd walk -- traffic gets miserable.

Canadian GP said:
Do they charge to park in the tracks parking lots?
Click to expand...

Yes. $20. Although I did park at Dover Downs one year for free -- but you've got to get there before 6am.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom