NASCAR Cup Series

Dover extending SAFER barriers around track for 2017 season

Published Feb. 13, 2017 10:01 a.m. ET

Tim Durr

Dover International Speedway track officials announced Monday that it will extend its SAFER barriers across the frontstretch and backstretch of the facility in preparation for the 2017 NASCAR season.

The project will be completed before the NASCAR tripleheader weekend on June 2-4 at the Monster Mile, which includes the "AAA 400 Drive for Autism" on Sunday, June 4.

The installation will be completed by Smith Fence of Clearwater, Fla. with the project starting in March. Approximately 1,800 feet of SAFER barriers will be added to the one-mile, high-banked, concrete oval.

The outside walls along the frontstretch and backstretch, including the gates for track entry will now include SAFER barriers. This project will put the SAFER barrier around the entirety of the outside track walls.

“Continued improvements to our facility, particularly in the areas of fan and driver safety, are of the utmost importance to us,” said Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway. “The decision to add more SAFER barriers is a collaborative decision with NASCAR and various stakeholders and collectively we felt this is something that needed to be completed prior to NASCAR’s return to the Monster Mile this spring.”