In 1995, the 1.0-mile oval that is Dover International Speedway was surfaced in concrete thus making it the first all-concrete Superspeedway in NASCAR. With 24-degree banked turns and 9-degree banked straights, the track is conducive to high speeds, tight racing and big time drama. Commonly referred to as the “Monster Mile,” Dover lived up to its larger than life reputation on Sunday, September 23, 2007 with epic racing and, well, big crashes. In fact with just 14 laps left in the 400-mile race, Kurt Busch’s Penske Racing Dodge cut a tire and was immediately sent into the wall, the car slamming it so violently, it bounced right back out into heavy traffic, thus collecting Chase participants Martin Truex, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. Debris scattered everywhere, NASCAR was forced to red flag the race, the race not restarting for almost 15 minutes. When the race did go back to green Carl Edwards raced into the lead and held it to the end to win. However, Edwards’ Ford failed to pass post-race inspection due to the fact that the right rear fender was too low. Edwards was allowed to retain the victory, but was docked points in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Despite the bedlam, Dover was kind to Hendrick Motorsport wheelman Jeff Gordon who left Delaware with the Chase points lead.

"It was a crazy day at Dover and somehow we came out of it with the points lead," said Gordon after the race.

Second place at Dover went Roush Racing’s Greg Biffle. Dale Ea5rnhardt Junior was third, Mark Martin was fourth and Kyle Busch placed fifth.

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will now head to the 1.5-mile, D-shaped Kansas Speedway. Kansas will mark the third race of the 10-race Chase for the Nextel Cup and due to the fallout from Dover should promise to make for an interesting race as many drivers competing for Nextel Cup will be forced to try and gain ground lost from the madness at the Monster Mile.