A Race Track Isn't Built In A Day
By Maryann Toomey
July 8, 2008
As luck would have it, I was invited to watch the Nationwide race from the beautiful boardroom suite at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, May 31, 2008. I have grown attached to our spot on top of the media center where we watch all the events at Dover but I could not justify leaving an open seat in the suite. It was an honor to watch the green flag drop with Delaware dignitaries from all over the State. Getting the chance to rub elbows with some of the most important people at my favorite race track was indescribable. On that afternoon, I met with one of the founding fathers of Dover Downs; Mr. David P. Buckson. After spending some time with one of the most interesting people I have ever met, I decided to share that afternoon with readers of Girls Garage.
David P.Buckson has had a long and wonderful life and career. He was a former Lt. Governor of Delaware, a two term Attorney General, but most importantly, he was the man who bought the old Thomas Murray Farm that sat on top of a hill in Kent County. Buckson chose the site because of his adoration for the Kent County area. He had a plan for his land on top of the hill. After visiting horse tracks all over the nation, Buckson dreamt of creating a multi-purpose facility in his own home state of Delaware. Buckson's "yellow tablet of notes" featured tracks for auto and harness racing with plans for a football field that would fit nicely inside the middle of the two tracks. The football field never became a reality, but the other two certainly have.
Buckson's horse racing took off like a charm from the track's inception in 1967 until the Spring of 2008. Harness racing at Dover became one of the elite tracks for the sport; the purse this past May featured $100,000 for the top three. When the slots were added in 1994, Buckson rallied to keep a focus on racing in order to prevent the site from becoming primarily an arena for slot machines and the like. Revenues from the slot machines were slated to increase the purses for harness racing, contributing to the premiere status held by Dover's horse racing.
Today's main attraction in the capital city of Dover is Buckson's lifetime dream. Dover International Speedway brings 71 million dollars into the Delaware community, with 92 % of those visitors coming from out-of- state. It is an entertainment empire that is well appreciated by the people who visit each year.
One of Dover International Speedway’s founding fathers can be found at the venue every NASCAR weekend. That is exactly where he has been for the past 40 years. David P. Buckson is impressed with how far the track has come and is proud of the track built upon a hill. Everyone at Girls Garage is indebted to Mr. Buckson for the vision and determination that made the Monster Mile a reality.
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NASCAR legends Daryl Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, and Bobby Allison are pictured here with Dave Buckson, Dennis McGlynn, and Mike Joy.
Submitted by: D.Buckson
Racing at Dover International Speedway back in the 1970's.
Credit: M. Toomey
