NASCAR Weekend at Dover Downs (Camden, Rodney Village: house, casino, campers)

[rdlr]

We are NASCAR people, dyed-in-the-wool Delaware natives in our late sixties, and I guess, Rednecks! (guess there's no "guessing" about it) I do understand that there are plenty of people who run away from Dover, when the races come to town, dread the traffic jams, and would have no part of it. But, we're of the sort that we love jumping right into the party atmosphere, and making it an eventful weekend. For us, the excitement is building right now! Miles the Monster, is featured this year, which is a giant gray monster figure assembled just 3 weeks ago, and the mascot for the Dover Downs Monster Mile.

The campers will start moving in about May 26th, and the scene will be set for the May 30th - June 1st NASCAR Weekend featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race, on the final day, June 1st. For us, the celebration will begin on Thursday, May 29th. Dover rolls out the red carpet and greets NASCAR fans from everywhere, featuring appearances by race car drivers, contests (jump the wall), race car displays, and parties galore. Touchdown Lounge, near Rodney Village, always promotes the weekend with meal specials such as hot wings and shrimp. The Sheraton, in North Dover, is also a fun place to go, and they usually feature appearances by race car drivers, and out door tents and displays. And of course, at Dover Downs Casino.....EVERYBODY is gathered around their huge bar. Outside in the parking lot, they have areas fenced off for fan competitions, driving a real race car, and booths offering chances to win prices. All up and down Route 13, there will be banners greeting visitors, and that Thursday night (May 29th) is when my husband and I begin the hunt for our friends from all over the country, whom we've met over the years. It's like "old home" week when we find them, and review what's taken place in our lives since we last talked with them in September 2007.

Friday, (May 30th) is the day of the truck races, and many of our local friends take that day off from work to kick off the race weekend. I will be changing the message on my office message machine, saying "Sorry, I am out on appointments all day. Please leave a message" That Friday evolves into an all day event, and Friday night is the biggest fun night in Dover! To prepare for Friday night, on Friday afternoon, we usually leave DD after the truck races, for a quick trip home (about a 15 minute drive) and an afternoon nap. By then, we're starting to get tired, but that doesn't stop us from throwing open our bedroom windows, and having the sounds of roaring engines from Dover Downs lull us to sleep. It's amazing to hear the sounds drifting all the way down to south Dover, Camden and Wyoming. Friday night, our friends from all over the country, invite us to their camp sites for pig roasts, barbecues, sizzlin' steaks, and steamed crabs 'n shrimp. Flags fly high over their areas showing their preference for their driver of choice, and to find a specific camp site takes some time......directions being....."Our spot has a Dale Earnhardt flag flying high!" (Thank goodness for cell phones). Friday night is also the night to meet race car drivers at Sambo's in Leipsic, the Village Inn in Lil Crik, and it's not unusual to see some drivers such as Sterling Marlin, pit crew members, and commentators such as Jeff Hammond, playing the slots at Dover Downs.There will be thousands of camp sites, all in plain view of SR1.

Saturday, (May 31st) We usually go to breakfast at the Countrie Eatery, where lines are very long, extending from the entrance, back towards Route 13. The time goes fast, though, because in that long line we meet more friends from other states out-numbering the locals probably 100/1 Breakfast at the Countrie Eatery is, well, as good as slingin' hash. It's not the quality of food there on that day, but the company we enjoy! After breakfast, from there, we walk to Dover Downs stands, leaving our car either at Big Lots, or anywhere in that area. Saturday's featured events include time trials/qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, and at 2 p.m. the start of the Heluva Good 200 Race, followed by more parties Saturday night. We generally start at Rodney Village, work our way north to the Sheraton, and double back to our starting point, stopping along the way to every promotion we see on Route 13.

Sunday, (June 1st) is the big day, and by this time, most campers and visitors are tired, but still excited about the race. Gates open 5:30 a.m. We usually park our car at the old Blue Hen Mall, and take a shuttle bus (probably 20-25 running) to the track. The ride to the track is always enhanced by checking out the different shirts/hats/coolers the fans display! It's always a plus if we get to ride next to a fan sharing our admiration for our favorite driver! By 9 a.m. on Sunday, we are usually up in the stands. Even though we have the same reserved seats every year ($96 each, with backs and arm rests) we don't want to miss any of the action. Armed with our head sets and radios, coolers of food and drinks, seat cushions, sun screen, binoculars, camera, sun visors and infamous 'ticket tags around our necks', we trudge all the way to the top of the Richard Petty stands to greet all the people we sit with, twice a year, every year for the past 15 years. By 10 a.m., we crack open the cooler and start eating our submarine sandwiches.....We're starved by then, being too excited to eat breakfast at home before our jitney ride to the track. All of that morning, there are driver introductions, warm-ups, interviews, special guests, interesting commentators and the infamous fly-over by Dover Air Force Base, and singing of the National Anthem .... all leading up to Race Time at 2 p.m. and the drop of the green flag. By then, we're always out of food but not drinks. Usually, where we sit, there's a nice breeze, but we never know what the weather will bring, so we go prepared for anything. Usually the race is over by 5:00- 5:30 p.m. and at the drop of the checkered flag, the trek down the stands begins, and the fond 'farewells' to our old friends, and new. The trip back to the Blue Mall, and to our car, is much quieter, with everybody on the jitney tired, and dreading the traffic jams, which are always a part of the experience. We've been lucky in the past, and from the old Blue Hen Mall, take Bay Road south to the Rt. 10 intersection, and are home within 30 minutes of the end of the race. Such memories we make, and we always look forward to the next NASCAR weekend! From our prospective, we wouldn't miss NASCAR weekend for the world, and relish every minute of it every June and September! Sure beats the Modern Maturity Center for us!

[rockky]

LOL! You go, Delly!!! I was one of those folks who wanted to run. But we lived close by, and some of the visitors seemed to forget that there are rest rooms provided. I'd rather find others ways to 'wash' my car. Some people just have a way of spoiling things for others.

Funny thing though. We ended up moving within about 10 miles of another major raceway. My car seems to be 'safe' where we are now.

btw, my friend here says that RAM is the mini mascot. Have you ever seen her attend the races? It sure brings a ton of revenue to Delaware!!

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by rockky

LOL! You go, Delly!!! I was one of those folks who wanted to run. But we lived close by, and some of the visitors seemed to forget that there are rest rooms provided. I'd rather find others ways to 'wash' my car. Some people just have a way of spoiling things for others.

Funny thing though. We ended up moving within about 10 miles of another major raceway. My car seems to be 'safe' where we are now.

btw, my friend here says that RAM is the mini mascot. Have you ever seen her attend the races? It sure brings a ton of revenue to Delaware!!

No, Roc! I'm embarrassed to say I don't know of RAM (not to be confused with REM, one of my favorite musical groups). I'll have to check that out. I know, this many fans can take a toll on properties around the tracks, even extending to outlying areas. It's a shame about that. Yes, the revenue is great for Dover, and I understand these races are not for everybody.

Many years ago, I decided....I could either sit home alone, or join my husband. Now, I'm glad I got caught up in the excitement. There 's more than just the 4 hour race on Sunday to enjoy!

[rockky]

Originally Posted by Delly

No, Roc! I'm embarrassed to say I don't know of RAM (not to be confused with REM, one of my favorite musical groups). I'll have to check that out. I know, this many fans can take a toll on properties around the tracks, even extending to outlying areas. It's a shame about that. Yes, the revenue is great for Dover, and I understand these races are not for everybody.

Many years ago, I decided....I could either sit home alone, or join my husband. Now, I'm glad I got caught up in the excitement. There 's more than just the 4 hour race on Sunday to enjoy!

RAM....I meant our governor. I can understand the confusion. I wasn't very clear.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by rockky

RAM....I meant our governor. I can understand the confusion. I wasn't very clear.

Oh, geezzzz............I'm a little slow on the take-up this morning!
I have never seen her there, not even being introduced! And political people are BOOED if they show up there!

[rockky]

Originally Posted by Delly

Oh, geezzzz............I'm a little slow on the take-up this morning!
I have never seen her there, not even being introduced! And political people are BOOED if they show up there!

Yeah. I guess they would be. Apparently she was at the Downs the other day and was asked who her favorite driver is. I think she said Jeff Gordon, but I suspect, in truth, it's the state cop who drives her around the state.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by rockky

Yeah. I guess they would be. Apparently she was at the Downs the other day and was asked who her favorite driver is. I think she said Jeff Gordon, but I suspect, in truth, it's the state cop who drives her around the state.

AHHHHH...........
LOVE your sense of humor!

[Summering]

And.............then all the race fans will be headed to the Pocono Raceway for the early June race.
Then Delly, you'll have to move your party up here. I'm about 10 min. from that race track.........When I am not there, I run out of the house to see those beautiful Air Force Jets overhead at the start of the race.
I think I might actually be in DE when they are racing here.........hummmmmm.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Summering

And.............then all the race fans will be headed to the Pocono Raceway for the early June race.
Then Delly, you'll have to move your party up here. I'm about 10 min. from that race track.........When I am not there, I run out of the house to see those beautiful Air Force Jets overhead at the start of the race.
I think I might actually be in DE when they are racing here.........hummmmmm.

Thanks, Summering! We don't do road trips to NASCAR, so I guess we're not "die hards" . We just get excited about local things! If you're in Delaware about that time, PM me, and we'll meet somewhere to join in the partying, or stop by our home!

[anniebleu]

Delly! I've never been to a race at Dover Downs in all these 30+ years, but you make it sound mighty tempting! I got the biggest kick from reading your post. And you're a fellow REM fan! Now how many women in our age group (I'm not much younger than you) recognize the greatness of REM?

I didn't have time to read, but once I started, I HAD to! So get back to writing that book!