NASCAR Drivers Learn to Love the Pain at Dover’s Monster Mile

A lot of NASCAR race tracks wear down drivers, but none like the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway. That is where the Gander RV 400 will be held on Sunday.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick the favorites at 4/1. Joey Logano is at 7/1, with Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Chase Elliott at 8/1.

Elliott, who won last week at Talladega, captured the pole for this week’s race. His Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet teammate William Bryon will be next to him.

“Team Hendrick is 1-2, which is awesome,” Elliott said. “Thanks to Chevrolet power and everybody that contributes to our car. They’ve been working hard. Hopefully, we can back it up on Sunday.”

Elliott won the last time they were at Dover back in October. Harvick and Busch took the two races before that. Since 2013, Chevy has dominated this track, winning eight of 12 races.

Breakfast of Champions

Drivers know how demanding this racetrack can be. The concrete track is fast and physically punishing. Ryan Blaney told the Dover Post that it can take a toll on your body.

“That is one of the tougher, more physically demanding places, 400 laps is so many,” Blaney said. “It really wears out your shoulders, your back and your neck. It’s part of it though. If you can’t physically make it through there’s something wrong, but I still think it’ll be a step up this year.”

Elliott had some advice for his fellow competitors.

“It’s going to be a really tough race, so you better eat your Wheaties these next couple days and hydrate, because I think Sunday is going to be tough, especially if the sun’s out like it is right now,” Elliott said.

Love/Hate Relationship

Though Dover is tough, that doesn’t mean the drivers don’t enjoy it. Blaney said he looks forward to going there.

“I like Dover, always enjoyed going up there, it’s a really neat track,” Blaney said. “I’ve had pretty good cup runs, I thought our fall run last year was pretty good.”

Daniel Suarez said it is his favorite layout. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver hasn’t won there, but last year he finished third and 10^th in the two races.

“Dover is probably my favorite track and it’s probably my best track, too,” said Suarez who is at 50/1. “I’m not really sure why it’s so good for me, but it’s a lot of fun. With the new package, it should be crazy fast, so it’s going to be a lot of fun, I hope. I always have it marked on my list of tracks that I think we have a really good shot to win at.”

Busch is another who always enjoys making the trip to Dover.

“It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride and you need to treat it like it’s fun and not to be scared of the place, I think because you can get so much out of that place,” Busch said. “There are two ways about it – you can probably be really, really good there, or really, really bad there. Some days are going to be better than others, obviously, with how you can get your car set up compared to the competition.”