Ragan in Line for Dover ‘Roller Coaster’

David Ragan compares Dover (Del.) International Speedway to a roller coaster.  The banking and dips of the one-mile oval make it a challenging track, but the driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford is at the front of the line to go for the ride.

 

As tough as the “Monster Mile” can be, Ragan enjoys racing at Dover.  He’ll strap in this weekend for his 14th Sprint Cup Series start for the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks.  His No. 34 Ford will carry the Autism Speaks puzzle piece decal for Sunday’s race and he will participate in Thursday’s “Drive for Autism” Celebrity-Am Golf Outing to raise awareness and funds to serve people affected by autism.

 

Ragan has two top-15 finishes at Dover with a top finish of 14th (2007).

 

Comments from Front Row Motorsports team driver David Ragan heading to Dover:

 

“Dover certainly can be a monster.  It’s a lot of fun to race if you’ve got a good-handling car and you can be the aggressive one. But if you’re the one that’s getting thrown around, that’s getting passed, it can be a long day.  I’ve been a part of some races where I’ve had a good, fast car, and it’s a fun 400 miles.  I’ve also had weekends there where we’ve struggled and it has been a long, tough weekend.

 

“That track is very physically demanding and it can suck you up in a wreck very quick.  I’ve been a part of some big wrecks and I’ve also been able to maneuver my way through some.  It is a fun track.  There are a lot of passionate fans in that area, and it’s one of the coolest facilities we go to with the Dover Downs Casino right there on property.

 

“You feel speed at all of the racetracks we run on, but I think Dover is one of the tracks where you feel it the most because you have the sensation of almost dropping down into the corners.  There’s a lot of banking and you’re in the throttle a lot, and it almost shoots you out of the corners.  I guarantee there is an elevation change because it really feels like you’re on a roller coaster.  You’re falling down, digging through the corners.  And it’s tough to see around the corners because of the banking and how tight the corners are.  It’s a very tough racetrack. The straightaways are even banked a good bit, so you’re really flying around that place.”

 

FRM PR