Harness Horse Racing
Dover Downs (tel. 800/711-5882; www.doverdowns.com) offers harness racing November through April. Races run Monday through Thursday at 4:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 5:30pm. Simulcast racing is offered year-round, daily from noon to midnight. Harrington Raceway, Route 13, Harrington (tel. 302/398-7223; www.harringtonraceway.com), has 90 race days from April through June and August through October, Saturday through Thursday with post time at 5:30pm. Simulcast is available daily from noon to midnight. Midway slot machines in the renovated casino are also available year-round. The track is located on the state fair grounds, about 15 miles south of Dover.
Stock-Car Racing
Twice a year, NASCAR fans flock to Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. DuPont Hwy. (Rte. 13), Dover (tel. 302/857-3219; www.doverspeedway.com). These two major races draw some of the world's top drivers to this 140,000-seat track. Tickets for adults start at $42 for general admission. Family seating with no alcohol or tobacco allowed is available for about $55; order online or call 800/441-RACE. Tickets go on sale 10 months before race weekends.
DART First State (tel. 302/652-DART; www.dartfirststate.com) offers shuttle buses from the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover and Christiana Mall in Wilmington. Tickets are $20 per carload from the Blue Hen and $10 per person round-trip from Christiana Mall. Call or check the website for a schedule; bring exact change.
Put Yourself in the Driver's Seat -- Want to ride in a Winston Cup car? Maybe even drive it yourself? Monster Racing Driving School (tel. 800/468-6946; www.monsterracing.com) will let you get behind the wheel to "tame the monster" at Dover Speedway. For $89, you can ride the course for four laps with an instructor. Packages range from $379 to $939 to drive a race car for 30 laps, with shorter and less expensive alternatives in between.
