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Dover International Speedway announced plans Monday to add approximately 1,800 feet of SAFER barrier, a project that will fully protect the 1-mile track’s outside retaining wall with the energy-absorbing system.
Construction is slated to begin in March, with the track indicating that all work will be complete before the Monster Mile plays host to all three NASCAR national series in its June 2-4 race weekend. That visit will be capped by the first of two Dover events this season for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the AAA 400 Drive for Autism.
The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier will now cover the outermost concrete retaining wall along the frontstretch and backstretch. That addition will include the crossover gates for track entry and exit.
“Dover has really done a great job in making the facility as safe as possible for us as drivers,” Team Penske driver Joey Logano said in a news release provided by the track. “The Monster Mile is an extremely fast track. For only 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’s most recent SAFER barrier project was a nearly 500-foot addition at the exit of Turns 2 and 4. That work was completed ahead of NASCAR’s most recent trip to the Delaware venue last October.