Weeks after internal talks became public, Dover International Speedway is removing 17,500 seats from their grandstands.
That leaves just over 95,000 seats left at the Monster Mile which just finished hosting its second race weekend of 2014 NASCAR season just over two weeks ago.
A removal team arrived not long after that, says communications director Gary Camp.
“We were anxious to get going with the removal just to avoid the Dover Downs harness racing season as much as possible. So we got a jump on it right after the race ended,” said Camp.
Speedway officials previously downsized grandstand seating in 2011 by 22,000 after years of constant expansion through 2001.
Daytona International Speedway, among others, is also trimming the size of its grandstands. Plans announced last year cut 45,000 seats by 2016.
Aluminum from those stands on turns 2 and 3 nearest Dover Downs casino is being recycled.
Camp says those areas may eventually feature standing party decks or other amenities.
“We’re looking at the areas in turns 2 and 3 where grandstands are being removed, but we’re also looking at the whole property holistically to see if there’s anywhere else that we can do some things that make sense for fans,” he said.
Consultations with architects have already begun, but it’s unclear if any new construction would be ready for the 2015 race season.
Camp notes that, “potentially”, more seats could see the recycling bin, but there aren’t any concrete plans to do so.