DuPont bridge a 'Monster' experience

Billed as "the most exciting seat in all of sports," the DuPont Monster Bridge at Dover International Speedway lives up to its hype.

The feel of a line of race cars swooshing below your feet at 180 mph from the vantage point of a glass-walled bridge that rocks from the field's aero push is truly riveting.

"I'm sorry, that's the only way to watch a race," said NASCAR fan Viviane Giangola of New York.

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Granted, she's only been to one other NASCAR event. But the Monster Bridge made its mark, and not just with new, impressionable fans.

Jeff Gordon, who visited the bridge during Saturday's MBNA America 200 NASCAR Busch race, was singing its praises, and not only because his sponsor's hurricane-resistant glass ensures the safety of the sixty folks lucky enough to try out the most exciting seat in all of sports.

VIDEO CLIPS Jeff Gordon stays dry in the new "Monster Bridge." Play video

"It's an awesome view," Gordon said. "I couldn't believe the sense of speed -- you can feel the cars roar by."

The bridge sits 29 feet above the track, giving a literal bird's eye view of the back straightaway. Theater-style seating, personal scanners and flat screen TV's mounted above add to the experience. Fans can look to the screens to follow the action unfolding on turns 3 and 4 behind the bridge. But Dover could offer backrubs and grande mocha latte cappuccinos, and it wouldn't overshadow the awe-inspiring speed and driver skill that marks NASCAR racing.

Dover, which has always been known for great racing, wanted to create a unique seating venue to increase the recognition of its "Monster Mile" brand, according to Director of Public Relations

Gary Camp. The idea was to give fans an experience not available anywhere else. Judging from most fan reaction at the bridge's debut, the track has succeeded.

Dover won't be selling admission to the Bridge. "Because seating is limited, and demand far exceeds supply, we won't sell the seats to the highest bidder," Camp said. "We'll make seating available through hospitality and random selection, driven by promotions from a selected partner group, and try to give everyone an equal chance of experiencing the DuPont Monster Bridge."

For the foreseeable future -- or at least until someone figures out a way for fans to perch on Peyton Manning's helmet or hold the resin bag for Roger Clemens -- it will be a unique experience in all of sports.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.