Monster Racing hits brakes at Dover International

Adrenaline junkies will no longer be able to get behind the wheel of a retired NASCAR vehicle at Dover International Speedway.

After more than 20 years, Monster Racing closed earlier this month.

"We wanted to go out at the top of our game," said Gerry Wright, a ride instructor and spokesman with the company.

The economic downturn in 2008 impacted more than just rider attendance at tracks. It also clobbered ancillary businesses, like Monster Racing.

In more than two decades of letting fans take a spin around the concrete oval, the Dover-based company had customers from all 50 states and from countries around the world. Players from the Philadelphia Eagles and other sports teams had been in the cars. The company even once had a U.S. Supreme Court Justice along for a ride around the Monster Mile.

But for all the celebrities and famous passengers, the core business was always the average fan, Wright said.

"When the economy affects them, it affects us," he said.

A four-lap ride-along with an instructor had cost $99, but customers who wanted to drive 10 laps themselves had to pay $399. Other packages sold for up $999.

One customer, Mark Dalzell of Jersey City, New Jersey, was happy he had a chance to drive 10 laps last month. "The experience was exhilarating," said the University of Delaware alumnus, who had received the 40th birthday gift from his mother and sister. He said it was "a real workout" and that he felt it in his arms for the next couple of days.

Wright said the business closing is generally because of the economic downturn and the rise in operational costs. Across the country similar operations have faced difficulty surviving because of rising insurance costs. That is not the case in Dover, Wright said.

"We've continued to wait for the [economic] rebound, but it's not necessarily happened the way we had hoped," he said.

What happens to the fleet of 24 cars is still unknown. The company is exploring several options.

Monster Racing has been a longtime partner for businesses and community efforts in Dover and around Kent County. They've also been a staple at the Dover International Speedway.

"It's been a great 20-year relationship with Monster Racing Excitement here at Dover. They have had a stellar record of safety and provided guests from around the country with a very unique experience on the high banks of the track," said speedway spokesman Gary Camp.

"They have been nothing but great partners and helped to convert thrill-seekers into race fans along the way."

On the last day of business, Wright said, hundreds of people came out to see the company off.

"When they left, they had a smile on their faces and maybe shouted a few expletives about how much fun it was," Wright said.

Contact Jon Offredo at 678-4271, on Twitter @jonoffredo or at joffredo@delawareonline.com.