DRIVERS       ELIGIBLE       FOR       "THE    WINSTON"       DURING       LMS       600       SPEEDWEEK       IN       MAY       2003!

May 18, 2002

"THE WINSTON" - 2002
is regarded as
NASCAR's AllStar event
with no W/C points awarded.

NEW FORMAT!!!

Courtesy of 

Sue's Racin' News ~N~ Views Newsletter
"http://victory-lap.com/news/"

THE WINSTON: SURVIVAL OF THE FASTEST

CONCORD, N.C. - The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and its Winston brand today announced the revised format for the 2002 running of The Winston, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' all-star event.
It'll be "Survival of the Fastest". For the first time in the 17-year history of The Winston, drivers will be eliminated from the grid following both the first and second segments, leaving just the 10 fastest drivers to compete for the winner's share of a $3 million purse in the final 20-lap dash around Lowe's Motor Speedway.
This year's running of The Winston (Saturday, May 18) will consist of three segments totaling 90 laps, or 135 miles, around the 1.5-mile surface of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

The first segment will be 40 laps, after which the field will be trimmed to the top 20 finishers. Segment No. 2 runs a total of 30 laps, after which 10 more competitors will be eliminated to set up the dramatic final segment.
Inversion, a staple of The Winston since 1992, will remain a part of the format for the 2002 event, but that process has been relocated and will now follow the second segment. A fan vote will determine whether four, six, eight or the entire field of 10 cars will be inverted for the final segment.

The field for The Winston, by rule, consists of a minimum of 18 drivers who have either won races or championships in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series or The Winston within the last five years, plus one driver who transfers by winning the Winston Open, the qualifier run immediately prior to The Winston, and one driver who wins the last-chance "suitcase race" known as the No Bull Sprint. Currently, there are a record 26 drivers eligible for this year's 

The Winston.
The Winston Open is composed of drivers and teams who participated in a NASCAR Winston Cup event in 2001 or this season and are not otherwise eligible for The Winston.

This year's Winston Open will be 30 laps in duration, with all laps counting toward the total. As is the case with the first two segments of The Winston, should the Winston Open encounter a late-race caution, every effort will be made to ensure a green-flag finish.

The No Bull Sprint will be 16-laps and features all teams that finished The Winston Open, but did not win the race. 

Qualifying procedures for The Winston continue to focus on team performance. A four-tire pit stop on the Lowe's Motor Speedway pit road will begin a driver's qualifying effort, followed by three laps. There is no speed limit exiting pit road. The total elapsed time of the pit stop and laps will determine the pole position for The Winston, which awards the winning team $50,000. 

Qualifying will take place on Friday, May 17.

Adaptation and modification have been constants throughout The Winston history. The event has evolved greatly from its original one-segment, 10-car minimum format in 1985. Some of the most notable changes include:
* First running of The Winston (1985) paid $200,000 to the winner and featured a total purse of $500,000.
* The Winston made its only appearance outside the Charlotte, N.C. area when it was held at Atlanta     Motor Speedway in 1986.
* The Winston, 1987, became a three-segment event with a total purse of $600,000. The Winston Open, a qualifying race for all drivers not already guaranteed a slot in The Winston, was first held.
* In 1989, teams became a more integral part of establishing the race lineup as the pit stop became a required element in The Winston qualifying. Total purse topped $1 million for the first time.
* The Winston featured a two-segment format in 1990 and 1991.
* Fans attending The Winston became part of the race strategy in 1992 when they were asked to vote whether or not to invert the entire field following the first of three segments. The answer was a resounding yes.
* The Winston became known as The Winston Select from 1994-96.
* In 1997, The Winston became truly a winners-only event when its eligibility rules changed and reserved guaranteed slots in the starting grid only for those drivers who had won a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event during the current or preceding year, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship and any active driver who had won The Winston within the preceding five years.
* Starting in 1998, only green flag laps counted toward the completion of The Winston. Driver inversion could be as many as 12 cars or as few a three, as decided at random.
* As The Winston moved into a new century in 2000, the purse escalated to a total of $2 million, with the winner pocketing $500,000.

Throughout the various renditions of The Winston, one thing has remained constant - The Winston is the richest race per mile on the NASCAR Winston Cup calendar. This year's winner will earn $750,000, or $37,500 per lap over the climactic final 20-lap segment.

THE WINSTON  --  MAY 18, 2002  --  FACT SHEET

THE WINSTON
* The Winston will be 90 laps total and consists of three segments of 40, 30 and 20 laps. The field will be inverted (either four, six, eight or 10 positions) for the final segment as determined by fan voting.

* At present, the field for The Winston will be 26 cars - 19 race winners from 2001, two race winners from 2002, one NASCAR Winston Cup champion not otherwise exempt, one previous winner of The Winston not otherwise exempt, one car owner (No. 33 - Andy Petree) not otherwise exempt, the Winston Open winner and the No Bull Sprint winner

* The first segment will be 40 laps. 

* Teams must make a mandatory green-flag, four-tire pit stop at some point during this segment. All restarts will be double-file.

* All laps count including caution laps. If a late-segment caution occurs, every effort will be made to ensure a green-flag finish.

* The top-20 finishers from the first segment will advance to the second segment.

* The winner of the first segment will earn $50,000.

* There will be a 10-minute break following the first segment, at which time teams may change tires and make chassis adjustments without losing track position.

* The second segment will be 30 laps. The finish of the first segment will determine the double-file starting order of the 20-car field for the second segment.

* There are no pit-stop requirements, but teams may pit if they wish. All laps count including caution laps. If a late-segment caution occurs, every effort will be made to ensure a green-flag finish.

* Only the top-10 finishers in the second segment will advance to the final segment.

* The winner of the second segment will earn $50,000. 

* There will be a 10-minute break following the second segment, at which time teams may change tires and make chassis adjustments without losing track position. 

* The field will be inverted (either four, six, eight or 10 positions) as determined by fan voting.

* The third and final segment will be 20 laps.

* The top-10 finishers in the second segment will compete in the third and final segment with the field inverted as determined by voting by the fans. The start of the final segment will be double file. Only green flag laps count.

* The winner of the final segment will earn $750,000.

The Winston Qualifying
* Eligible teams will begin their qualifying attempt with a mandatory four-tire pit stop. Then, each driver will run three laps. The total elapsed time will make up each team's qualifying effort. There is no speed limit exiting pit road following the mandatory four-tire pit stop. The Winston qualifying will be Friday night.

* The winning team will earn $50,000.

WINSTON OPEN
* This 30-lap event is for all NASCAR Winston Cup teams that competed in a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event in 2001 or 2002 that are not already eligible for The Winston.

* All laps count including caution laps. If a late-segment caution occurs, every effort will be made to ensure a green-flag finish.

* The winner of The Winston Open will advance to The Winston. 

NO BULL SPRINT
* This 16-lap race is for all teams that finished The Winston Open, but did not win the race. There will be four caution laps following the Winston Open to transition into the start of the No Bull Sprint. Teams will have the option to pit but will lose track position. 

* All laps count including cautions laps. If a late-race caution prevents a green-flag finish, there will be one opportunity to end the race under green with the number of laps extended for a green/white/checkered finish. If a caution is necessary during this green/white/checkered, the race will not be extended again and will end under caution.

* The winner of the No Bull Sprint receives the final transfer spot into The Winston.

THE WINSTON OPEN QUALIFYING
* Qualifying for The Winston Open will consist of two laps for each team with the quickest lap determining that team's qualifying position. Qualifying for The Winston Open will be Friday night. 

 

1

 1985 Darrell Waltrip Innugural in Charlotte
2 1986 Bill Elliott In Atlanta
3 1987 Tim Richmond Back permanently in Charlotte and the beginning of the 3 segment [75/50/10] race    -    Deceased
4 1988 Terry Labonte  
5 1989 Rusty Wallace  
6 1990 Dale Earnhardt Deceased
7 1991 Davy Allison Deceased
8 1992 Davy Allison Changes were made to a race under the lights and 30/30/10 segments with the 2nd segment inverted.-   Deceased
9 1993 Dale Earnhardt Deceased
10 1994 Geoffrey Bodine  
11 1995 Jeff Gordon  
12 1996 Michael Waltrip  
13 1997 Jeff Gordon  
14 1998 Mark Martin  
15 1999 Terry Labonte  
16 2000 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  
17 2001 Jeff Gordon  
18 2002 Ryan Newman  
 

 

WINNERS SINCE THE LAST RUNNING OF "THE WINSTON" ON MAY 18, 2002

1 Jeff Burton Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte, NC 05/27/01
2  Jeff Gordon MBNA Platinum 400 Dover, DE 06/03/01
3 Jeff Gordon Michigan 400 Brooklyn, MI 06/10/01
4 Ricky Rudd Pocono 500 Pocono, PA 06/17/01
 5 Tony Stewart Dodge/Save Mart 350K Sonoma, CA 06/24/01
6  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Pepsi 400 Daytona, FL 07/07/01
 7 Kevin Harvick Tropicana 400 Joliet, IL 07/15/01
8 Dale Jarrett New England 300 Loudon, NH 07/22/01
9  Bobby Labonte Pennsylvania 500 Pocono, PA 07/29/01
10 Jeff Gordon Brickyard 400 Indianapolis, IN 08/05/01
11  Jeff Gordon Unknown Sponsor 400 Watkins Glen, NY 08/12/01
12 Sterlin Marlin Pepsi 400 Brooklyn, MI 08/19/01
13  Tony Stewart Sharpie 500 Bristol, TN 08/25/01
14  Ward Burton Mt Dew Southern 500 Darlington, SC 09/02/01
15 Ricky Rudd Chev Monte Carlo 400 Richmond, VA 09/08/01
16 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. MBNA America 400  Dover, DE 09/23/01
17 Jeff Gordon Protection One 500 Kansas City, KS 09/30/01
18 Sterlin Marlin UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte, NC 10/07/01
19 Ricky Craven Martinsville 500 Martinsville, VA 10/15/01
20 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. EA Sports 500 Talladega, AL 10/21/01
21 Jeff Burton Checker Auto Parts/DuraLube 500K Phoenix, AZ 10/28/01
22 Joe Nemechek Pop Secret 400 Rockingham, NC 11/04/01
23 BILL ELLIOTT Pennzoil 400 Homestead, FL 11/11/01
24 Bobby Labonte NAPA 500 Atlanta, GA 11/18/01
25 Robby Gordon New Hampshire 300 Loudon, NH 11/23/01

WINNERS BEFORE THE NEXT RUNNING OF "THE WINSTON" IN MAY 18, 2002

1

 Ward Burton Daytona 500 Daytona, FL 02/17/02
2 Matt Kenseth Subway 400 Rockingham, NC 02/24/02
3 Sterlin Marlin UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Las Vegas, NV 03/03/02
4 Tony Stewart Atlanta 500 Atlanta, GA 03/10/02
5 Sterlin Marlin Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Darlington, SC 03/17/02
6 Kurt Busch Food City 500 Bristol, TN 03/24/02
7 Matt Kenseth Samsung/RadioShack 500 Ft Worth/Dallas, TX 04/07/02
8 Bobby Labonte Harrah's 500 Martinsville, VA 04/14/02
9 Dale Earnhardt, Jr Talladega 500 Talladega, AL 04/21/02
10 Jimmie Johnson NAPA Auto Parts 500 Sonoma, CA 04/28/02
11 Tony Stewart Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond, VA 05/04/02

 

DRIVERS ELIGIBLE FOR "THE WINSTON"

 

1 Bill Elliott 1986 Winston Winner; 1988 WC Champion, 2001 Race Winner
2 Terry Labonte 1988, 1999 Winston Winner; 1984, 1996 WC Champion
3 Rusty Wallace 1989 Winston Winner; 1989 WC Champion
4 Geoffrey Bodine 1994 Winston Winner
5 Jeff Gordon 1995, 1997 Winston Winner; 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 WC Champion, 2001 Race Winner, 2002 Race Winner
6 Michael Waltrip 1996 Winston Winner
7 Mark Martin 1998 Winston Winner
8 Dale Jarrett 1999 WC Champion, 2001 Race Winner
9 Bobby Labonte 2000 WC Champion, 2001 Race Winner, 2002 Race Winner
10 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2001 Winston Winner
11 Jeff Burton 2001 Race Winner
12 Ricky Rudd 2001 Race Winner
13 Tony Stewart 2001 Race Winner, 2002 Race Winner
14 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2001 Race Winner
15 Kevin Harvick 2001 Race Winner
16 Sterlin Marlin 2001 Race Winner, 2002 Race Winner
17 Ward Burton 2001 Race Winner, 2002 Race Winner
18 Robby Gordon 2001 Race Winner
19 Ricky Craven 2001 Race Winner
22 Joe Nemechek 2001 Race Winner
21 Matt Kenseth 2002 Race Winner
22 Kurt Busch 2002 Race Winner
23 Jimmie Johnson 2002 Race Winner
23 Jeremy Mayfield "WINNER OF THE WINSTON OPEN"
24 Ryan Newman "WINNER OF THE NO BULL SPRINT"

2002 Results of Segment #1

Finish Start Car Driver Sponsor Make
1 17 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevy
2 4 99 Jeff Burton CITGO Racing Ford
3 18 9 BILL ELLIOTT Dodge Dealers Dodge
4 26 19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers Dodge
5 5 6 Mark Martin Pfizer/Viagra Ford
6 9 32 Ricky Craven Tide Ford
7 7 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevy
8 11 97 Kurt Busch  Rubbermaid Ford
9 8 28 Ricky Rudd Havoline Ford
10 24 8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr Budwieser Chevy
11 16 31 Robby Gordon Cingular Wireless Chevy
12 1 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Ford
13 3 29 Kevin Harvick GM Goodwrench Chevy
14 2 15 Michael Waltrip NAPA Chevy
15 6 21 Elliott Sadler Motorcraft Ford
16 10 5 Terry Labonte Kellogg's Chevy
17 23 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Pontiac
18 12 25 Joe Nemechek UAW/Delphi Chevy
19 13 18 Bobby Labonte Interstate Batteries Pontiac
20 27 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 / Alltel Ford
      ELIMINATED AFTER SEG 1    
21 25 22 Ward Burton Caterpillar Dodge
22 22 1 Steve Park Pennzoil Chevy
23 19 33 Mike Wallace Preen 'N Green Chevy
24 14 40 Sterlin Marlin Coors Lite Dodge
25 20 55 Bobby Hamilton Schneider Electric Chevy
26 15 88 Dale Jarrett UPS Ford
27 21 2 Rusty Wallace Miller Lite Ford

 

2002 Results of Segment #2

Finish Start Car Driver Sponsor Make
1 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevy
2 10 8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr Budwieser Chevy
3 3 9 BILL ELLIOTT Dodge Dealers Dodge
4 6 32 Ricky Craven Tide Ford
5 12 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Ford
6 8 97 Kurt Busch Rubbermaid Ford
7 20 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 / Alltel Ford
8 13 29 Kevin Harvick GM Goodwrench Chevy
9 11 31 Robby Gordon Cingular Wireless Chevy
10 17 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Pontiac
      ELIMINATED AFTER SEG 2    
11 7 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevy
12 14 15 Michael Waltrip NAPA Chevy
13 9 28 Ricky Rudd Havoline Ford
14 18 25 Joe Nemechek UAW/Delphi Chevy
15 16 5 Terry Labonte Kellogg's Chevy
16 19 18 Bobby Labonte Interstate Batteries Pontiac
17 4 19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers Dodge
18 5 6 Mark Martin Pfizer/Viagra Ford
19 15 21 Elliott Sadler  Motorcraft Ford
20 2 99 Jeff Burton CITGO Racing Ford

2002 Results of Segment #3

Finish Start Car Driver Sponsor Make
1 20 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 / Alltel Ford
2 10 8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr Budwieser Chevy
3 12 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Ford
4 8 97 Kurt Busch Rubbermaid Ford
5 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevy
6 17 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Pontiac
7 11 31 Robby Gordon Cingular Wireless Chevy
8 13 29 Kevin Harvick GM Goodwrench Chevy
9 6 32 Ricky Craven Tide Ford
10 3 9 BILL ELLIOTT Dodge Dealers Dodge

 

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Eligible Drivers for the 2003 Running of the
BUD SHOOTOUT [updated 07/27/02]



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CREATED 10/03/97 -- UPDATED 03/31/03 @ 09:55am (EST)

 
1997 - 2003, Angie B. Kaiser