Monster of a structure: Monument set for Dover

DOVER, Del. -- He's been portrayed as an intimidating, car-crushing creature that wreaks havoc on NASCAR's most skilled competitors. He's been molded into the winner's trophy, playfully mimicked by victorious drivers, featured in a comic book, and posed as an action figure.

In 2008, Miles the Monster will become the largest attraction at a NASCAR track and will be one of the tallest fiberglass structures in the world. The Monster Monument will stand 46 feet tall in the newly created Victory Plaza at Dover.

The Monster Mile

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The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza will be completed prior to the May 30-June 1 race weekend and will become a new focal point for race fans visiting the Monster Mile. Nearly five stories tall, the structure depicts the monster bursting out of the concrete ground, carrying with him a full-scale stock car in his right hand that will hover high over race fans below.

Glowing red eyes and a menacing grin will make the monster a "must see" for race fans visiting the Monster Mile in June, September, and all year round. Motorists on Route 1, the major highway behind the Speedway, will also be able to see the Monster Monument's bright red eyes when commuting past the track.

The 60-foot round base of the monument will serve as a tribute to all Dover race winners and legendary drivers who make their mark at the Monster Mile. Special driver dedications will be commemorated around the base of the monument which will also include a chronological listing of Dover winners by race and series. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison, each with seven career wins at Dover, will be the first drivers to be honored.

Details regarding the special dedications and ceremonies will be announced prior to the June race weekend.

Located outside Turn 4 of the 1-mile oval, Victory Plaza will welcome race fans who are entering the facility from Leipsic Road, the various RV lots, and the parking areas located on the east side of the Speedway. Fans will walk through a new archway and up a colorful walkway as they make their way toward the Monster Monument, new FanZone, souvenir haulers and frontstretch grandstands.

The FanZone has doubled in size since last year and now encompasses 7.8 acres of land at the Speedway. The expansion eliminates the road formerly known as Old Leipsic Road. The FanZone features fan experiences, sampling, interactive attractions, driver appearances and more. It's free and open to the public every day of race weekend.

"We're excited about the second phase of Monster Makeover construction," said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports Inc. "From the building of the Monster Monument to the expansion of the FanZone, race fans of all ages and interest levels will have more to see and do at the track on race weekend than ever before."

Contractor ACI Composites, Inc. was chosen for the development of the fiberglass monument. ACI will construct the structure at their facility in Lancaster, Pa. before assembling the monument on site at Dover in April 2008. Kent Construction began working at Dover in October 2007 and will be responsible for all other site construction.

Also under construction is a 3,800 sq. foot emergency services building that will be completed in time for the event weekend. The building is centrally located near Gate 1 of the speedway, and will provide an improved base of operations for Dover's emergency response system.

The Monster Makeover is a multi-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement project at Dover. The first phase of construction was complete before the start of the 2007 race season and included a new skybox complex and an expansion of the Infield Media Center among other site improvements.

Additional capital improvement plans will be announced later in 2008 after bids are received and contracts have been awarded.

• Dover continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special three-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early-buy discounts and a variety of payment plans. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.