NASCAR will be dodging raindrops in Dover as it tries to squeeze in its fall race weekend in the First State.
No changes to the schedule have been yet with wet weather in the forecast today through Sunday and the approach of Hurricane Joaquin – but officials at Dover International Speedway say they are monitoring the situation closely.
Friday’s schedule includes qualifying for Sunday’s Sprint Cup “AAA 400” at 3:45. The AAA 400 is the first knockout race in Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship elimination format. The field of 16 drivers contending for the season title will shrink to 12 following Sunday’s race - as the four drivers with the lowest point totals are eliminated.
Sunday’s race is also significant because it is the final First State appearance for four-time Sprint Cup champ Jeff Gordon, who is completing his final full season of racing. Gordon, a five-time winner at Dover, has had a special connection to Delaware for much of his career - thanks to DuPont’s sponsorship of his #24 car from 1992 through 2012
Also on Friday’s docket at the Monster Mile is the K&N Pro Series East “Drive Sober 150.” That begins at 5 pm.