Dover celebrates ten years of concrete.

As all three of NASCAR's premier series descend upon Dover's 'Monster Mile' for the MBNA 'Racepoints' weekend, the Delaware situated venue is now entering its tenth season of racing with a concrete surface.

It was 10 years ago, in November 1994, that Dover International Speedway completed the process of transforming the one-mile asphalt surface into the concrete track seen today, making it one of only two Nextel Cup venues with a concrete surface.

The transition from asphalt to concrete began on September 19th 1994, just after the running of the SplitFire Spark Plug 500, won by Rusty Wallace. Melvin Joseph, former vice president and director of auto racing at Dover International Speedway, oversaw the project.

"We think Bristol had the right idea when they switched to concrete," said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway at the time. "We've improved on the concept. We now have the best racing surface, bar none. We know it's going to be great for the competitors and the fans."

McGlynn was right.

A continuous strip of concrete, 43 feet wide, was laid with additional width in the turns. The concrete was installed by specially designed, computer-controlled equipment for maximum smoothness, using 8,286 yards of concrete. Raw materials included 2,340 tons of cement, 6,026 tons of sand and 9,015 tons of stone.

The new concrete, initially deemed "White Lightning," because of its smooth, fast surface and white colour, was first tested during a Goodyear tyre session on April 18th 1995. Dale Jarrett, Derrike Cope and John Andretti first tested the all-new Monster Mile.

"It's very tough," said Cope shortly after experiencing the new surface for the first time. "It's still the same old girl with the same tendencies. You've still got to get into the corners a little easy, get the car turned and drive it up the bank."

"They've done a great job with such a big area to cover, keeping it consistent all around the track."

"I think it will make for better racing with two grooves," added Andretti. "You can get up in the outside lane and it's not real slippery. I think when it gets to racing, you'll be able to get up there and force the issue."

The first Cup Series race held on the concrete was the Miller Genuine Draft 500 on June 4th 1995. Kyle Petty took the win, edging out Bobby Labonte and Ted Musgrave as Hut Stricklin, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Sterling Marlin, Michael Waltrip, Rusty Wallace and Joe Nemechek rounded out the top ten.

Petty started 37th, and his win still holds the record at Dover for the coming from farthest back in the field. Petty averaged 113.880mph, and took home $69,655 for the win.

Also new at the Speedway for the June 1995 race were 7,000 new chair back seats; the walkover bridge in turn two; and a new welded-wire retaining fence, ideal for strength and visibility.

The grandstands accommodated 101,000 fans, and the race was a sell-out. It was the first time a six-figure crowd ever attended a race at a one-mile superspeedway.