ENTERTAINMENT

Free NASCAR weekend shows in Dover: Amish Outlaws, MTV legend, chainsaw carvers, DockDogs

Ben Mace
Delaware News Journal

While the main focus of NASCAR race weekend April 26-28 in Dover will be on the track, the speedway management team is planning to get your motor running with concerts, shows, contests and celebrity appearances you don’t need a race ticket to enjoy.

At the “Monster Mile,” races are 5 p.m. Friday, April 26 for the ARCA Menards Series, followed by the Xfinity Series at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27. The main event, the NASCAR Cup Series, is 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28.

More:NASCAR Cup Series schedule: Start times, TV networks in 2024

But before and after the races, check out free entertainment outside the track, with free parking April 26 and 27 and $10 parking April 28. For parking lots, follow the signs posted on Route 1 and Route 13 near Leipsic Road, and for parking tips see the Dover Motor Speedway website.

The Fan Zone near the monster monument opens at noon April 26, and 9 a.m. April 27 and 28, with driver appearances, live music, games, dog shows, a cornhole contest, pro and college team mascots, fireworks, monster trucks, a giant duck and micro wrestling.

The Fan Zone at Dover Motor Speedway is open during NASCAR race weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. No ticket is required for admission but some activities have fees. Parking is free Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, and $10 Sunday, April 28.

“NASCAR is responsible for creating the excitement on the track and our responsibility is to provide the excitement and create a memorable experience off the track,” said Dover Motor Speedway president and general manager Mike Tatoian. “We take a tremendous amount of pride in offering what is often cited as the best fan experience in NASCAR.”

Here are some of the highlights:

Fun for kids

  • NASCAR Kids Zone with games, information on drivers and the science behind the racing technology.
  • Little Farm Petting Zoo with free face painting.
  • Bumper cars.

Just for adults

White Lightning Bar and Arcade, an indoor/outdoor hangout, with a full bar, classic arcade games and trivia contests. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. April 26 with trivia from 7-9 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 27 with trivia from 5-8 p.m.; 9 a.m. to the end of the race April 28.

Meet the drivers

Chances to meet ARCA and NASCAR drivers and legends include:

  • ARCA Menards Series autograph session 2:15 p.m. April 26.
  • Xfinity Series drivers autograph session 9:45 a.m. April 27.
  • Cup Series drivers and legends greeting fans April 28 near the monster monument with Kyle Busch at 11 a.m., William Byron at 11:30 a.m., Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex at 11:45 a.m., and Richard Petty with crew chief Dale Inman at noon.
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, is one of the drivers who will greet fans at the monster monument outside the track at Dover Motor Speedway Sunday, April 28.

One-time-only events

These programs are planned once during the weekend:

  • Movie Night, 8 p.m. April 26, with “Top Gun: Maverick.” Bring a chair. Coolers welcome.
  • Cornhole tournament open to the public, 4 p.m. April 27, with a prize pool of $2,500. Entry fee is $50 for a two-person team with a limit of 100 teams. To register, download the Scoreholio app on your phone or register in person April 27 at the Fan Zone if spots are still available.
  • Fireworks, 9 p.m. April 27.
  • Sports mascots and cheer teams April 28 will include the University of Delaware cheer team with YoUDee, Rocky Bluewinkle from the Wilmington Blue Rocks, Coaty from the Delaware Blue Coats, Screech from the Washington Nationals, Phang from the Philadelphia Union, Talon from D.C. United and Hooter from Temple University.

Concerts including country, rock and an MTV legend

Music is a big part of race weekend, including these one-time shows:

The Amish Outlaws feature a band that includes members who left the Amish church and now play full time around the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, covering tunes from 50 Cent to System of a Down.

More:Delaware loves Amish band that left the church and now plays rap & country tunes

Entertainers performing throughout the weekend

  • DockDogs, the canine aquatics show, will feature skills contests all three days, April 26 with practice at noon and shows at 1 and 3 p.m.; April 27 with practice at 9 a.m. and shows at 10 and 11:30 a.m.; April 28 with practice at 9 a.m. and shows at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
One of the DockDogs demonstrates skills during the GoPro Mountain Games in Colorado. The DockDogs will perform free shows in the FanZone at Dover Motor Speedway during NASCAR race weekend April 26-28.
  • Micro Professional Wrestling with a cast of athletes and performers under 5-feet tall, April 27 at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and April 28 at 9:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
  • Fearless Flores Thrill Show, as seen on “America’s Got Talent,” features the Globe of Death and a 65-foot sway pole April 26 at 2, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.; April 27 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. and April 28 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
  • The most-followed bagpiper on the internet, Ally the Piper, will play Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes and Irish whistles.  
  • Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act, as seen on “America’s Got Talent,” showcases the performer who balances wheelbarrows, bikes and ladders on his face.
  • Roaming acts include RoboCars, who transform from cars to life-sized action figures; Stilt Walkers; Mirror Men, with shimmering outfits, fancy moves and comic antics; Strolling Plant, a leafy costumed comic; The Strolling Piano; ZOOperstars, inflatable mascots with names that are a mash-up of celebrity athletes and animals like “LeBronco James” and “Donovan McCrabb.”
The inflated ZOOperstars characters appearing at the Fan Zone at Dover Motor Speedway during NASCAR race weekend feature a mash-up of animal and athlete names, like "LeBronco James."

Car show, monster trucks and unusual attractions

  • Car show April 27 and 28 before the races with replica vehicles from TV shows and movies and classic muscle cars from the Del Rods.
  • Monster Truck rides for a fee near the monster monument.
  • The world’s largest rubber duck, a 60-foot-tall, 15.5-ton yellow behemoth.
  • The King’s Hat, a 6-foot statute honoring the Richard Petty family.
  • Axe throwing 12-9 p.m. April 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 27 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28.
  • Bear Hollow Chainsaw Carvers creating sculptures to be auctioned at 11:45 a.m. April 27 and 11 a.m. April 28 to benefit Speedway Children’s Charities. Other chances to help the charities include a live auction at 9:45 a.m. April 28 with autographed memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences; Monster Mile After Dark tours, Laps for Charity, a 50/50 raffle and the Track Treasures NASCAR collectibles sale.

Supporting the military

The USO Military Village features military vehicles and equipment along with displays of the group assisting service members and families.

Special events at the village include the USO Gaming Tournament from 10 a.m. to noon April 27 and 28 and a meet-and-greet with USO Canine of the Year finalist, Ranger, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 28.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.