Dover bridge receives patent protection

The DuPont Monster Bridge at Dover International Speedway has been granted patent protection by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent has been issued for the DuPont Monster Bridge specifically as a "racetrack bridge" that spans the width of the track at Dover International Speedway, providing spectators with a comfortable, unobstructed view of events on the track.

"When we conceived the bridge, we knew it was a novel idea that had never before been attempted. We were optimistic that it could be a one-of-a-kind addition to the motorsports industry. Now that it has come to fruition and it has been a terrific success for our sponsors, our fans and our facility - it is fitting that we now have the protection of the U.S. Patent Office," said Jerry Miraglia, executive vice president of Dover Motorsports, Inc. "'The most exciting seat in motorsports' will only exist at the Monster Mile, unless we license the concept to other facilities."

The DuPont Monster Bridge is a glass-enclosed seating structure that extends over the track at Dover International Speedway, offering an unprecedented view of NASCAR racing action below. The seating venue's fifty-six custom-built, theatre-style seats are embroidered with the "Monster Mile" logo, and each seat provides audio access to NASCAR race coverage on television and radio, along with access to race team communications.

Flat-screen televisions, a climate-controlled interior, wall-to-wall carpet and a full service refreshment bar add to the DuPont Monster Bridge experience. Many sports put fans on the sideline, close to the action, but no other seat in sports allows them to stare into competitors' eyes as they roar towards them and pass beneath their feet. The innovation was first introduced for the June 4th/6th 2004 NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway.

In 2004, DuPont signed a three-year agreement to be the title and innovative building products sponsor of the DuPont Monster Bridge at Dover International Speedway. The 140,000-seat concrete superspeedway hosts two NASCAR tripleheader race weekends each year.

A new tradition in the DuPont Monster Bridge includes the winner of the Nextel Cup race making an appearance in the structure to sign their respective seats. To date, the #6 seat of Mark Martin is autographed, along with the #12 seat of Ryan Newman. Jeff Gordon, a four-time winner at the Monster Mile and driver of the DuPont-sponsored Chevrolet, has signed the #24 seat. Greg Biffle will sign the #16 seat in the autumn, as the winner of the June 5th 2005 MBNA RacePoints 400.