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Dover International Speedway prepares to host its 80th NASCAR weekend


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DOVER, July 9, 2009: Dover International Speedway celebrates its 41st season of racing in 2009, highlighted by the return of the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” during the Sept. 25-27, 2009 race weekend. The track first opened its gates on July 6, 1969 – 41 years ago today – as Richard Petty cruised to a six-lap victory in the inaugural “Mason-Dixon 300.” This September, Dover will host its 80th NASCAR race weekend featuring three days of racing.

For drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, Dover’s Sept. 25-27 race weekend falls within the final 10 races on their schedule – a tough hurdle for those competing for a series championship. For drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series, they face an even tougher challenge. Dover is their final race of the season, and if they want a shot at taking home the East Series crown, they’re going to have to conquer the monster first.

Looking ahead to the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup,” Jimmie Johnson, winner of Dover’s May 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup race, is poised to make a run at his fourth consecutive championship but he may face his stiffest competition to date in the Chase. Familiar Johnson foes such as Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon have had stellar seasons to this point and at this time, seem to be a shoe-in for a spot in the Chase. Stewart is looking to become the first driver/owner since Alan Kulwicki to win a title in NASCAR’s premier division. Kulwicki accomplished the feat in 1992.

Race fans can expect to see some of the “usual suspects” in the mix on Sunday, Sept. 27 – the Roush Fenway Racing trio of Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth; Busch brothers Kurt and Kyle; and names like Juan Pablo Montoya, David Reutimann, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Burton, who will be battling throughout the summer months for the coveted 12th position in the Chase.

The Kyle vs. Carl battle continues in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is likely to be on center stage as the series comes to Dover on Saturday, Sept. 26. The two drivers have swapped the points lead throughout the season and seem to be the top candidates for the 2009 championship.

Dover marks the season finale for the NASCAR Camping World East Series, the regional series that has seen the last two championships clinched at Dover (Joey Logano in 2007 and Matt Kobyluck in 2008). This season a new crop of drivers are making a name for themselves. Brett Moffitt, Ryan Truex (brother of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr.), Jody Lavender and Dustin Delaney have stepped up to battle the East Series veterans. Put them all together on the fastest and highest banked track that the series visits and the Sunoco 150 should be full of surprises on Friday, Sept. 25.

Tickets are now on sale for the entire Sept. 25-27, 2009 race weekend, and great seats still remain. For tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.