NASCAR: Boosting Economy In Dover During Race Weekends - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

DOVER, Del. - Tires spinning.  Cars sprinting at high speeds.  NASCAR is back at the Monster Mile.      

The races bring in roughly $94 million annually to the city of Dover.

"We think that local businesses, restaurants and hotels certainly appreciate the influx of visitors 36," said Gary Camp, senior director of communications for Dover International Speedway.

Last year, NASCAR estimated about 85,000 fans took to the stands: or a 63 percent occupancy at the Speedway. 

"We see thousands and thousands of fans come into our city, staying at our hotels and eating at our restaurants," said Victor Schimp, general manager of Sheraton-Dover.    

Six years ago, Kent County's hotel industry changed, adding 1,200 to their then 1,700 rooms with mostly new hotels, with the exception of 250 additional rooms at Dover Downs.    

Now, the goal is to put them to use. For hotels like the Sheraton, what happens when the checkered flag is waved after NASCAR weekend?

"It makes everyone strive harder in our industry to provide great service and great accommodations for the guests that do come," said Schimp. 

The hope is race weekends will stand out and that customers will continue to come back, even when the cars leave the track.    

"If they have a great experience, maybe they'll come back in July.  Maybe they'll come back at Christmas."

Races continue throughout the weekend.

On, Sunday, you can catch the AAA-400, which is the third of 10 "Chase For The Sprint Cup" races.    

Tickets throughout the weekend are still available and you can order them off of the Dover Speedway website.