Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	DOVER MOTORSPORTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001017673
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	18,378,198
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	18,510,975