Return of fans at Dover NASCAR races could bring traffic delays May 14-16

After a year when no fans were allowed in 2020, Dover International Speedway roars back to life this weekend with races Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday's Drydene 400 NASCAR Cup Series race is actually sold out, with tickets limited because of COVID-19 social-distancing restrictions. Track officials would not release how many tickets have been sold or what the capacity for the Cup Series race will be.

Tickets are still on sale for Friday’s “General Tire 125” ARCA Menards Series East race and Saturday’s “Drydene 200” NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding we heard from fans during our reseating process and we look forward to welcoming them back in the grandstands this weekend,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover International Speedway’s track president.

Procedures for fans at the races will include masks, social distancing in grandstands and concession lines, the use of digital tickets for all grandstand seats and no infield access. Track officials are planning hand sanitizer stations and enhanced cleaning in high-traffic areas.

PREVIOUS NASCAR NEWS:Fans allowed at NASCAR's race weekend in Dover from May 14-16

This will be the only NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway this year. In 2020, track officials announced they were moving one race weekend to Nashville Superspeedway, a track built and owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. 

Dover had hosted two race weekends for the previous 50 years. Last year, the two race weekends were condensed into one after the spring race was postponed due to COVID-19. Those weekend events were held without fans.

Race weekend schedule

Fans who are camping or staying in hotels will be arriving at various times this week and this weekend, but the peak times for traffic on Routes 1 and 13 in the Dover area will most likely be a couple hours before the races start and end.

The busiest times are expected to be Sunday before and after the Cup Series race, when the most fans will be attending. 

Here are the times for the races and other track events.

Friday, May 14

Noon, FanZone opens, with limited events due to COVID-19 restrictions

1:45 p.m., practice and qualifying for General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East

5 p.m., General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race

Saturday, May 15

9 a.m., FanZone opens, with limited events due to COVID-19 restrictions

1:30 p.m., Drydene 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race*

Sunday, May 16

9 a.m., FanZone opens, with limited events due to COVID-19 restrictions

2 p.m., Drydene 400 NASCAR Cup Series race*

* There is no qualifying or practice for the Xfinity Series or Cup Series races.

Parking

For Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series races, parking in a Dover International Speedway lot is $10 per vehicle, cash only. Parking for Friday and Saturday races is free.

From the north:

On Route 1, the main parking lot is accessible from exit 104; however, track officials said the parking lot may reach capacity on Sunday before the Cup Series race. If the lot is full, race traffic will be detoured 5.3 miles south to exit 95, the south Dover/Dover Air Force Base exit, to northbound Route 13 to "Lot No. 1" at Jefferic Boulevard near Residence Inn by Marriott, across the road from the Red Roof Inn. Signs will direct race traffic to this lot. Jefferic Boulevard is less than a mile south of Dover International Speedway’s main entrance off Route 13.

For those coming from the north who wish to avoid the possible closing of exit 104 on Sunday morning, the exits in Smyrna, 119A  or 114, may be used to get to southbound Route 13. Proceed south and follow the signs for Dover International Speedway.

From the south:

Track officials advise drivers to go to northbound Route 13 to "Lot No. 1" at Jefferic Boulevard near Residence Inn by Marriott, across the road from the Red Roof Inn. Signs will direct traffic to this lot. 

Park-and-ride shuttle

Only on Sunday, a park-and-ride shuttle bus is available from the Christiana Mall off Route 1 near Newark to the Dover Speedway, starting at 8 a.m.

The $18 fee includes parking and round trip bus service. Exact change is required.

Children under 4 ride free.

There are 800 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information, call Advance Student Transportation, 302-998-6726.