David Ragan’s mind is full of concrete monsters.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup driver will get another shot at solving “The Monster Mile,” otherwise known as the Dover International Speedway, when the Sprint Cup Series returns to Dover, Del., on Sunday.
Ragan enters the race sitting in 21st place in the Sprint Cup standings, with only one top-10 finish this season.
Dover also is a track that has caused Ragan some troubles in the past. Since making his Sprint Cup debut at the track in 2006, Ragan hasn’t posted a win or top-10 finish, nor has he led a single lap in seven career races there.
"It’s a fun race in which we’ve done OK in the past, but haven’t quite gotten a really good finish," said Ragan. "Hopefully, we’ll have a good handling UPS Ford this weekend."
He hopes to take some momentum into the race after finishing 14th at Darlington last week. But success has eluded him in Delaware.
Ragan’s best finish at Dover came in 2007 when he finished 14th after he qualified 31st. It’s a mediocre history at a track where it’s difficult to win in the first place.
"Racing at Dover on the concrete high-banked surface can be a challenge for teams due to the fast pace and narrow track," said Donnie Wingo, Ragan’s crew chief. "The keys to success are having a good-balanced race car, staying out of trouble, clean pit stops and good track position."
Qualifying for the Autism Speaks 400 at the Dover International Speedway begins Friday. The race will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
