Dover Downs setup

[arniesarmy]

Just watching some Dover races. Has to be the dryest telecast around. Race caller is monotone, they run the race, seven minutes of silence, intro, race, seven minutes of silence, etc. I know they run NASCAR races there, but that track has to be elsewhere. They have a catchfence around the harness track, but no stands. The NASCAR track must be completely separated, but is that a minor-league track on the outside of the harness track? They could never fit all those huge NASCAR trailers on the harness track infield.

[Scooteroo]

Been watching races from Dover Downs since they first opened in 1969, in fact I was there on opening night. As for the track announcer, Jack Gallagher, he's been there for over 40 years, is around 70 years old, and very monotone as you say, and average at best. As for the 7 minutes of silence, I actually enjoy it as opposed to the blowhards at other tracks who give their analysis and never shut up. They do have plenty of seating inside but attendance as at most tracks is very low. Most people are there for the casino and sportsbook. They used to draw over 100,000 for their NASCAR races but attendance at NASCAR races everywhere has dropped in recent years.

[arniesarmy]

Where is the NASCAR track? The harness track can't be inside that, but they do have a catch fence visible from the harness track.

[Scooteroo]

The harness track is inside of the 1-mile NASCAR track even though you can't see it. I've never been to a NASCAR race and have no interest in it at all. Back in the 70's Dover also had a thoroughbred meet for a few years with very cheap horses and purses. Sundays were big for them with at least a dozen buses from Maryland and DC because they were the only game in town.

[arniesarmy]

So that track is inside a one-mile track. That would be like putting it inside the Meadowlands track. I remember when Balmoral race a mile track and had a 5/8-mile track inside it. On Sundays, the first seven or eight races would be on the mile track and when the sun went down, the rest of the card was on the lighted 5/8-mile track.

[Scooteroo]

You can actually see the NASCAR track as the horses leave the paddock and come on to the racetrack, and as they're scoring, you can see the NASCAR track on the other side of the fence.

[GOAT]

Balmoral never did that . Race the first several races on the program on the mile track then the balance on the 5/8th track. WTF are you smoking ?

[kantseeback]

I went to Dover in 1997. I remember the indoor grandstand as being a bit small when compared to other tracks. The paddock was unique and cool, you could look through big glass windows and see the paddock on the floor below with the horses.
And yes the horse track was inside the Nascar track.

[Scooteroo]

They actually had more seating on the 2nd floor of the grandstand. The paddock is unique, and I used to watch the drivers reading the program while waiting.

[arniesarmy]

Balmoral never did that . Race the first several races on the program on the mile track then the balance on the 5/8th track. WTF are you smoking ?

I am almost certain they did that on Sundays. Am I wrong? Guys like Longo, Hamilton and Saporito were racing at Balmoral back then.

[The Doctor]

Sportmans went with auto track outside of horse track. That did not last long.

[Meadow Ford]

I remember when Balmoral race a mile track and had a 5/8-mile track inside it. On Sundays, the first seven or eight races would be on the mile track and when the sun went down, the rest of the card was on the lighted 5/8-mile track.

Absolutely 100% correct!

[Meadow Ford]

I am almost certain they did that on Sundays. Am I wrong? Guys like Longo, Hamilton and Saporito were racing at Balmoral back then.

And Me Too

[Meadow Ford]

Balmoral
First it was Lincoln Fields.
A mile track for Tbreds.
Then renamed to Balmoral.
Then they added a 1/2 mile track for harness.
Kept the mile track for jogging.
Then they made it a 5/8 for harness.
Then they added lights to the mile track for harness.
For exact dates just google it.

[Meadow Ford]

Where is the NASCAR track? The harness track can't be inside that, but they do have a catch fence visible from the harness track.

Just google maps satellite view.