Speak Up: How has NASCAR weekend changed in Dover?

The capital city once again hosted thousands of race fans April 26-28, with various events culminating with the Würth 400. Dover Motor Speedway’s first major event was back in 1969, won by the legendary Richard Petty. In its five-and-a-half decades, how has the track changed? Is NASCAR more or less popular than when it began? Do you welcome the crowds during these weekends or are you happy to see the fans leave?

• Dover used to be a zoo all week during race week. We went by the track Wednesday evening at dinnertime, and no noticeable traffic increase or wait times at restaurants that I saw. — Wayne Hurd
• I had to sing at a church in Smyrna. We live in the Harrington area. We went up Del. 9. A friend lives in Dover and was late because of traffic. I can’t tell you the last time we went to the races. It has no interest for us. — Janice Winkler
• This was the most busy I’ve seen Dover NASCAR in years. Glad it’s getting bigger again. — Ethan McIntosh
• Huge increase of attendance. Dover Motor Speedway does a good job bringing different things to the Fan Zone to get the attraction! Traffic wasn’t terrible, other than people don’t know how to drive, which is an everyday thing. No complaints here! — Meredith Rose
• Should have kept two races and made one a Saturday night race. They took all the fun out of Lot 10. We used to drop off the camper the Saturday before, to pick your own spot. We would cut the grass in the spots where seven of us campers would be. Then, we came to the track Thursday night and stayed to Monday morning. — Brian Whitaker Sr.
• Too many rule changes. Mandatory cautions. Stage racing. Price increases. Sorry, I’m just not a fan anymore. — Vincent Deskiewicz
• Love the revenue it brings to Dover. We managed to avoid the traffic and let the fans enjoy the area, while it lasted. Less aggressive with campers over the crazy shore traffic. Keep them coming! I like hearing the roar from my kitchen window. — Young Joycie Joseph
• The city and the track need to plan differently to handle the traffic on the roads, the intersections, the pedestrians and the parking. Hoping NASCAR makes a huge comeback here! We were happy to tailgate after the race and let the traffic clear. The delays before the race were not handled well. There may have been car accidents or medical emergencies, as per PulsePoint. This volume of traffic should be expected next year. — Tamra Mahoney Frey
• I used to go to Dover, and U.S. 13 was a parking lot. Now, I moved to Delaware and live by the track. I expected traffic, and it wasn’t bad at all. I used to love NASCAR when it was stock cars, not prefabs. — Don Pepka
• When they changed the racing rules, NASCAR’s decline began. I thought it was great to see the stands full again. New owners of the track are trying to make it a family event. Traffic was a little gnarly once in a while, but I welcome the visitors. Wish they still had the hauler parade in downtown Dover. — Cathy Thompson-Moore
• Well, first off, there used to be two races. Now, we only have one in the spring. — Melissa Eierman
• I saw a huge increase in attendance. The Fan Zone and especially the Kid Zone are a huge plus for attendees. — Sandy McDermott Lewis
• The city went from shutting down in the ’90s to barely noticeable traffic now. Was nice to see the Sunday stands full, but attendance is a far cry from what it was 20 years ago. The city needs revenue, so bring on the events! The trackside family fun zone is amazing for kids, too! — Jonathan Contant
• The stands were full, but they have removed a lot of seating over the last few years. — Tracey Moore
• Exactly what I was going to say. — Charlene Kindall Johnson
• It was 140,000 at its highest. Now, it’s 54,000. Only a difference of 86,000. If the venue holds 100,000 and only offers 30,000 tickets and sells them all, it’s considered a “sellout.” — Chris Akin
• I was at the race, and the TV may have made it look full, but empty seats were all around us. Rather sad. I had not been to a race in years, and it definitely has almost become boring with very few lead changes and “stages.” — Jason L. Smucker
• They got rid of the handicapped camping section. Therefore, I can no longer go nor afford any campsites close enough. — Debbie Clause
• NASCAR killed itself, with its rules, regulations and the cost of everything. Yes, it was an event to be there 30-plus years ago, when men drove those cars! — Dave Hager
• The track was packed yesterday. Most I have seen in years. — Jacob Curry
• I would say yesterday was one of the better days Dover has seen in years. But remember, they already took one race away, and they have taken races away from other tracks, also. Dover is a small market. And no sporting organization has crapped on their fans more than NASCAR. Also, tickets were cheap. You could find tickets yesterday for $40 on different sites. — Jimmy Cox
• That’s only because Dover also got Nashville Superspeedway back and running. They took the second Dover date and swapped it to Nashville. Then, Speedway Motorsports purchased Dover with Nashville, so we lost the second date for good. — Jacob Curry