NASCAR notes: Gambling at Dover? For now, it’s no dice

Gambling at Dover? For now, it's no dice

DOVER, Del.-- Gentleman, stop your wagering. The idea of putting $5 to win on the No. 5 has gone bust at Dover.

This could have been the weekend when gamblers and sports fans wagered on the NASCAR race at the Dover Downs casino and walked over to the Dover International Speedway to see if they picked a winner or should tear up their ticket.

Those plans are on hold.

After an expensive court battle, plans by state leaders and casino operators to offer betting on single games in multiple sports were struck down. Delaware can only offer betting on at least three NFL games per wager, called parlay bets.

NASCAR did not take a public stance on the issue, but the sport has held races in Las Vegas for years.

"To the extent that our fans would like it and enjoy it, I think it's a good thing," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.

Tire test may have provided an edge

Jimmie Johnson took the pole at Dover and Juan Pablo Montoya joined him on the front row.

Some Chase drivers think they know why. A tire test.

Johnson and Montoya were among a handful of drivers who participated in a Goodyear tire test in August on the concrete track.

Johnson said the test helped his No. 48 team because they learned the tire helped the car turn more easily. He predicted loose cars today.

"I still think we need to test at the tracks we race at and on the tire it's going to run on," he said.

Truex steps up for lucky race fans

Martin Truex Jr. purchased 100 tickets to today's race for select fans who were unable to renew their September race tickets because of hardships brought on by the economic downturn or other unforeseen circumstances.

Truex, of Mayetta, N.J., won his only career Cup race at Dover.

He celebrated with his 17-year-old brother, Ryan, after the younger Truex won the NASCAR Camping World East Series championship on Friday.

"I'm so proud of him not only from what he's done [Friday], but through the whole season," Martin Truex Jr. said. -- From Wire Reports