2006 Dover 400:
Dover International Speedway is a track where you either hit the setup or you don't. It is very difficult to make effective changes during the race if you're not already pretty close to perfect. This leads to drivers winning here in bunches as they take their successful June setup and win again in September. Tony Stewart swept both races in 2000, Jimmie Johnson in 2002 and Ryan Newman in 2003. Matt Kenseth won here in June, can he complete season sweep in Dover?
Tickets:
Speedway ticket office 302-734-RACE or 800-441-RACE
The Track:
Dover Downs is a high-banked one-mile concrete oval. The high-grip surface lets drivers really get aggressive and push the car, but at the expense of tire wear.
On a typical race day in Dover you'll see a number of different strategies play out. The race can be won by charging hard all day, by laying back and saving your tires for the end, or even by playing the fuel mileage game. You just never know what Dover will bring.
Race Distance:
400 Laps = 400 Miles
The Big Picture:
After winning last week Kevin Harvick leads the NEXTEL Cup points for the first time in his career. Harvick's lead is just 35 points over rookie Denny Hamlin.
In the back of the top ten Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne all struggled in New Hampshire. They can not afford another bad day.
The current top ten:
- Kevin Harvick -0
- Denny Hamlin -35
- Matt Kenseth -41
- Jeff Gordon -50
- Jeff Burton -64
- Mark Martin -75
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -81
- Kasey Kahne -110
- Jimmie Johnson -139
- Kyle Busch -146
Storylines:
The media scrutiny this week will be directed to both ends of the top ten. Kevin Harvick leads for the first time in his career. However his lead is not without controversy. SPEEDTV reported that NASCAR found some irregularities with his rims after the race on Sunday. Although there were no rules against what his team did, NASCAR has asked that they not do it again.
At the other end Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson are starting out their 2006 Chase from the back. Will they be able to rebound?
Media Coverage:
TV: TNT Sunday, September 24th, 12:30PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 1:10PM Eastern
Posted Awards:
$5,028,146
Last Year:
In 2005 Jimmie Johnson held off teammate Kyle Busch to claim the win and take over the point lead.
This race was partly settled on pit strategy as Mark Martin took two tires on the last stop while Johnson took four. Martin had the lead until Johnson caught him with just 25 laps remaining. Mark couldn't compete on older tires and Jimmie Johnson swept past for the win.
Predictions:
Dover has a tendency to produce season sweeps. Dover has been swept five times in the last twelve years. Matt Kenseth won here in June, plus his team has has a hot hand over the last month or so. I think that Kenseth has to be considered one of the favorites for this Sunday's Dover 400.
Kyle Busch has competed in three NEXTEL Cup events in Dover. Although he has not yet found his way to Victory Lane his finishes so far have been second, second and fifth. Kyle obviously knows how to get around Dover International Speedway and just needs one extra break to fall his way to score his first win at the speedway.
