Name change for Dover Speedway.

For years now, when NASCAR racers have been asked about racing at Dover Downs, they usually just referred to the track as 'Dover'.

With Dover Downs Entertainment, Inc., about to become Dover Motorsports Inc. following a spin-off of it's gaming operations to its existing shareholders, the circuit has opted to drop the 'Downs' part of the track name and anoint the Monster Mile with a new title.

So, in a move engineered with the upcoming split, Dover Downs International Speedway has officially become 'Dover International Speedway'.

"The time was right to make the change," said Denis McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Downs. "Since the 'Downs' part of the title really has roots in horse racing, we deemed it appropriate to keep the Dover Downs names with the harness and gaming company and drop it from the motorsport operation. Of course, it will still be the same exciting Monster Mile track with the same great view for race fans. That part of racing here at Dover will never change."

Indeed, 'Downs' is a horse racing term that refers to the fact that most horse races in England finished on a downhill part of the course and grandstands were placed at that part of the course. So, it is logical that the harness racing activity retains the Dover Downs moniker. Meanwhile, it's horsepower of a different sort when NASCAR's heroes in Winston Cup, Busch Series, Craftsmans Truck Series and Busch North Series come to Dover in 2002.

Those series will swing into action at Dover International Speedway starting May 31-June 2, with the MBNA Platinum 400 Winston Cup Series race (June 2), MBNA Platinum 200 Busch Series race (June 1) and MBNA America 200 Craftsman Truck Series race (May 31).

Then, from September 20-22, the Winston Cup and Busch Series will return again, to be joined by the Busch North Series.