Overheard in Dover

Mike Helton

I spoke with Mike Helton around 9 a.m. this morning. The soft-spoken NASCAR vice chairman was enjoying some morning coffee, and took a few minutes to answer some questions about the upcoming schedule.

For some background, we've heard some rumors about what shape the NASCAR schedule may take not only in 2016, but beyond. As you might imagine, there are numerous parts in motion such as what exactly may happen to the NASCAR All-Star race. We also know that Atlanta Motor Speedway is seeking a new date. Remember, the cold temperatures at Atlanta this season the weekend after Daytona.

Another thing we've heard (to be clear, this is prior to this weekend) is that NASCAR may look to add a road races or two to the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule. Of course, NASCAR has long had just the two road course races at Watkins Glen and Sonoma. However, Road Atlanta has been mentioned as a possibility, and we also know there has even been discussion about the currently undergoing a redesign Charlotte Motor Speedway.

When I mentioned Charlotte, Helton immediately noted that "the stadium-type courses" would be a possibility for IMSA" but apparently but not Sprint Cup. When I asked about Road Atlanta, Helton again noted in his characteristic understated manner that it course was a possibility "for IMSA."

As for AMS wanting to move its date? Helton simply noted "That schedule is pretty full right now."

Anyway, non-committal as he was my take away from the conversation with Helton that in terms of Sprint Cup adding more road races there is nothing imminent.

Since my usual beat is IndyCar, I told a fellow AR1 colleague that I would make note of some of the differences I noticed this weekend covering a NASCAR event. And while I've seen this on television before, I have to say after seeing it up close, I am amazed at how close the working quarters are here in NASCAR. Teams are literally right on top of each other in the garage area.

Finally, as I hear the Sprint Cup Series engines roaring in the background to begin practice, here are two things that seem to be the subject of conversation here in the media center:

1. How nice the air-conditioning is in here relative to the brutal humidity outside
2. The sense here that tomorrow might be Martin Truex's day.

Regarding Truex, the driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet of course won here in June 2007, has recorded 11 top-10 finishes in 12 2015 races and sits second in the driver standings. Truex, who grew up in Mayetta, NJ about 2 hours from here and considers his "home track."

"Dover has always been special to me," said Truex. "Even when we went through some hard times last year, we still managed to pull off strong results at Dover. There's just something about that place that makes me feel both confident and comfortable."

Brian C. reporting from Dover