NASCAR race team haulers will once again approach Legislative Mall on Thursday night. (Delaware State News file photo)
DOVER — Organizers are hoping Mother Nature is on their side during the NASCAR Hauler Showcase and Parade on Thursday.
A showcase of about 40 Sprint Cup Series driver haulers, approximately 80 feet long each will be at the Blue Hen Corporate Center.
The free event will run from 3 to 5 p.m.
There is a 90 percent chance of rain on Thursday afternoon, but Gary Camp, senior director of communications for Dover International Speedway is keeping his fingers crossed.
“You can’t prepare for things like this to happen,” Mr. Camp said. “The weather is one thing we can’t control.”
But Mr. Camp said if it does rain the event will be canceled.
The parade is scheduled to be the official kickoff event to NASCAR weekend for Sunday’s AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
The inaugural event in 2013 saw close to 10,000 fans spread out across the entire parade route.
The event was rained out last year. After such a great turnout for the inaugural event, Speedway and local officials agreed the event should return for another year.
“The event was a huge success. It was only natural to bring it back,” said Michael Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway. “We are always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience, and being able to work with NASCAR and the hauler drivers to put on a great show makes our race weekend that much more exciting.”
At 5 p.m., haulers will start north on Bay Road, before making a left onto Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly Court Street).
They will then turn right onto Legislative Avenue in Downtown Dover, before turning left onto Loockerman Street, then right on South State Street.
From there, the haulers will proceed to the track via Leipsic Road and arrive at approximately 5:45 p.m.
On Friday, racing starts with the Drive Sober 150 presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety as part of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race.
The Hi-sense 200 NASCAR XFINITY Series race will be held Saturday, followed by the AAA 400 on Sunday.
For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.