) John Andretti, will run #43
) Casey Atwood
) Greg Biffle, will run #16
) Dave Blaney, will run #77
) Mike Bliss
) Brett Bodine, will run #11
) Geoffrey Bodine
) Todd Bodine, will run #54
) Gary Bradberry
) Jeff Burton, will run #99
) Austin Cameron
) Stacy Compton
) Derrike Cope, will run #37
) Ron Fellows
) Christian Fittipaldi
) Larry Foyt, will run #14
) Hideo Fukuyama, was entered in the #66, but didn't run
) Robby Gordon, will run #31
) Jeff Green, will run #1
) Bobby Hamilton
) Jason Hedlesky, will run #90
) Andy Hillenburg
) Lance Hooper
) Ron Hornaday
) Tom Hubert
) Jim Inglebright
) Buckshot Jones
) P.J. Jones
) Jason Keller
) Frank Kimmel
) Stuart Kirby
) Kevin Lepage
) Chad Little
) Carl Long, will run #46
) Jeremy Mayfield, will run #19
) Casey Mears, will run #41
) Ted Musgrave
) Jerry Nadeau-injured Mike Wallace in the #01
) Steve Park, will run #30 (looks weird, #30)
) Hank Parker Jr.
) Kyle Petty, will run #45
) Robert Pressley
) Scott Pruett
) Tony Raines, will run #74
) Randy Renfrow
) Shawna Robinson
) Hermie Sadler, will run #02
) Boris Said
) Jay Sauter
) Tim Sauter
) Ken Schrader, will run #49
) Kirk Shelmerdine, will run #72
) Morgan Shepherd, will run #89
) Mike Skinner, will run #4
) Jason Small
) Jack Sprague, will run #0
) Jimmy Spencer, will run #7
) Hut Stricklin
) Dick Trickle
) Joe Varde
) Kenny Wallace, will run #23
) Mike Wallace, will run #01
) Scott Wimmer

THE WINSTON RACE

• BEEN ASKED saw this, so here ya go: How did Tony Stewart and Terry Labonte finish ahead of Dale Jarrett [or Dale Earnhardt Jr] in the second segment [after the big wreck]? Jarrett was able to drive his car off the track after the wreck while Labonte and Stewart could not.
  Jeff Hammond's Answer: It's very simple. Dale Jarrett took his car to the garage before he crossed the start/finish line so his lap did not count. If he had completed that lap and then turned in the garage area, he would have been counted ahead of Tony Stewart and Terry Labonte. They used the order in which they were running at the end of the previous lap to score those cars in their finishing positions.(FoxSports)(5-21-2003)
  
  
• Power of Pride Wins The Winston #48-Jimmie Johnson, Humpy Wheeler's pick for The Winston, won the Winston and $1 million. Johnson is the 13th different driver to win The Winston and it is car owner Rick Hendrick's 5th win. Johnson is guaranteed entry in the Winston for the next five years [unless they change the rules]. #97-Kurt Busch came from 10th after the inversion and finished 2nd
  
  
• Final Results of the Winston:
  1. #48-Jimmie Johnson (started 16th), 90 laps completed, won $1,017,604
  2. #97-Kurt Busch (11), 90, $265,104 (won segment 2)
  3. #18-Bobby Labonte (21), 90, $130,104
  4. #25-Joe Nemechek (6), 90, $85,104
  5. #15-Michael Waltrip (9), 90, $81,104
  6. #17-Matt Kenseth (17), 90, $77,104
  7. #29-Kevin Harvick (3), 90, $93,104
  8. #24-Jeff Gordon (10), 90, $72,104
  9. #99-Jeff Burton (24), 90, $123,492 (won the Winston Open)
  10. #32-Ricky Craven (7), 90, $70,104
  11. #21-Ricky Rudd (20), 90, $69,104
  12. #40-Sterling Marlin (5), 90, $68,104
  eligible to run but cars too damaged:
  13. #5-Terry Labonte (8), 69, $67,104
  14. #20-Tony Stewart (2), 69, $126,604 (won segment 1)
  eliminated after segment 2
  15. #6-Mark Martin (14), 69, $66,104
  16. #9-Bill Elliott, Dodge (1), 69, $116,004 (won the pole)
  17. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (4), 69, $65,904
  18. #88-Dale Jarrett (22), 69, $65,804
  19. #12-Ryan Newman (12), 65, $65,704
  20. #22-Ward Burton (13), 55, $65,604
  eliminated after segment 1
  21. #2-Rusty Wallace (18), 40, $65,504
  22. #42-Jamie McMurray (23), 40, $65,404
  23. #38-Elliott Sadler (19), 40, $65,304
  24. #10-Johnny Benson(15), 40, $65,208
  
  Results of Segment 3 after 90 of 90 laps:
  #48-Jimmie Johnson(16)
  #97-Kurt Busch(11)
  #18-Bobby Labonte(21)
  #25-Joe Nemechek(6)
  #15-Michael Waltrip(9)
  
  #17-Matt Kenseth(17)
  #29-Kevin Harvick(3)
  #24-Jeff Gordon(10)
  #99-Jeff Burton, transfered from the Winston Open(24)
  #32-Ricky Craven(7)
  
  #21-Ricky Rudd(20)
  #40-Sterling Marlin(5)
  
  
• NASCAR waved off the start and restarted the field as they didn't like the start of segment 3, the lap didn't count
  
  
• Segment 3 Starting Lineup after the Inversion:
  #40-Sterling Marlin(5)
  #24-Jeff Gordon(10)
  #32-Ricky Craven(7)
  #48-Jimmie Johnson(16)
  #25-Joe Nemechek(6)
  
  #15-Michael Waltrip(9)
  #17-Matt Kenseth(17)
  #29-Kevin Harvick(3)
  #18-Bobby Labonte(21)
  #97-Kurt Busch(11)
  
  #99-Jeff Burton, transfered from the Winston Open(24)
  #21-Ricky Rudd(20)
  #5-Terry Labonte(8) - team will not be able to fix the car to get out
  #20-Tony Stewart(2) - team will not be able to fix the car to get out
  (looks likes only 12 cars will start the 3rd and last segment)
  
  
• #9-Bill Elliott is being transported to a local hospital to be checked out, he is complaining of foot pain.(5-17-2003)
  UPDATE: XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio (Subscription Required) reported that Elliott has three broken bones on the top of his left foot.(5-18-2003)
  
  
• In Fans Voting Results on Inversion:
  Top 4 Drivers: 16%
  Top 6 Drivers: 18%
  Top 8 Drivers: 17%
  Top 10 Drivers: 49%
  So the Top 10 drivers of segment 2, were inverted (1 goes to 10, 10 to 1, etc)
  
  (segment 1 - lap 1-40 - must pit under green - take 4 tires, top 20 advance)
  (segment 2 - lap 41-70 - top 14 advance)
  (segment 3 - lap 71-90 green flag only)
  
  
• Segment 2 Results after 70 of 90 laps (30 of 30 for the 2nd segment):
  #97-Kurt Busch(11)
  #18-Bobby Labonte(21)
  #29-Kevin Harvick(3)
  #17-Matt Kenseth(17)
  #15-Michael Waltrip(9)
  
  #25-Joe Nemechek(6)
  #48-Jimmie Johnson(16)
  #32-Ricky Craven(7)
  #24-Jeff Gordon(10)
  #40-Sterling Marlin(5)
  
  #99-Jeff Burton, transfered from the Winston Open(24)
  #21-Ricky Rudd(20)
  (#5 and #20 are listed as 13th and 14th, but cars looked too damaged to continue)
  #5-Terry Labonte(8) - Accident
  #20-Tony Stewart(2) - has a possible brake problem - Accident
  (top 14 transfer to segment 3)
  #6-Mark Martin(14) - smacked the wall in segment 2 - but drove on - Accident
  #9-Bill Elliott (started 1st) - Accident
  #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(4) - Accident
  #88-Dale Jarrett(22) - Accident
  #12-Ryan Newman(12) - OUT
  #22-Ward Burton(13) - OUT
  
  Cautions: 4 for 9 laps
  Caution 4: 70-end: #20-Stewart got into #5-Labonte and a multi-car wreck happened that collected #8-Earnhardt Jr., #9-Elliott, #88-Jarrett and #6-Martin.
  Caution 3: 66-68: #12-Ryan Newman got loose while racing with #6-Martin and #20-Stewart and backed into the wall, the race was red flagged to try to insure a green flag finish.
  Caution 2: 57-59: #24-Gordon got into the back of #22-Burton just after the #22 and #99-Burton got togther, #22-Burton wacked the wall. Caution 1: 46-48: #24-Gordon slid into #40-Marlin, Marlin spun, just lightly tapped the wall with the rear of the car, no major damage. #99-Burton slammed on the brakes and just missed Marlin.
  
  NOTES: 11 cars pitted during the 1st Segment 2 caution. The leaders came into pit on the 2nd caution of segmnet 2.
  
  Results of Segment 1: 40 of 90 laps (40 for the 1st segment):
  #20-Tony Stewart(2)
  #48-Jimmie Johnson(16)
  #29-Kevin Harvick(3)
  #9-Bill Elliott (started 1st)
  #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(4)
  
  #5-Terry Labonte(8)
  #40-Sterling Marlin(5)
  #24-Jeff Gordon(10)
  #97-Kurt Busch(11)
  #15-Michael Waltrip(9)
  
  #17-Matt Kenseth(17)
  #25-Joe Nemechek(6)
  #32-Ricky Craven(7)
  #6-Mark Martin(14)
  #88-Dale Jarrett(22)
  
  #12-Ryan Newman(12)
  #18-Bobby Labonte(21)
  #99-Jeff Burton, transfered from the Winston Open(24)
  #22-Ward Burton(13)
  #21-Ricky Rudd(20)
  
  (top 20 advance, the following four are out after segment 1)
  #2-Rusty Wallace(18)
  #42-Jamie McMurray(23)
  #38-Elliott Sadler(19)
  #10-Johnny Benson(15)
  
  Nice to see the crews get some well deserved spotlight and great to see the troops give the starting command!
  
  
• Other Site Result Links:
  The Winston and Winston Open results from ThatsRacin.com/AP
  ThatsRacin.com - Segment 1 Results
  NASCAR.com - The Winston Results
  NASCAR.com - The Winston Open Results
  
  
• To the back UPDATE: Two drivers have to fall to the rear of the field before the start of the 30 lap Winstin Open, #7-Jimmy Spencer lost an engine in practice and #43-John Andretti wrecked in early practice after losing an engine.(5-16-2003)
  UPDATE: #43-Andretti didn't have to fall to the rear of the field.(5-17-2002)
  
  

  ---

  THE WINSTON OPEN RACE

• The Winston Open is OVER at Lowe's Motor Speedway:
  
  Jeff Burton wins the Winston Open, the unofficial finish:
  
  #99-Jeff Burton(18)
  #77-Dave Blaney(10)
  #4-Mike Skinner(7)
  #11-Brett Bodine(8)
  #16-Greg Biffle(27)
  
  #7-Jimmy Spencer(3)
  #23-Kenny Wallace(5)
  #30-Steve Park(started 1st)
  #45-Kyle Petty(15)
  #0-Jack Sprague(13)
  
  #43-John Andretti(16)
  #41-Casey Mears(19)
  #49-Ken Schrader(6)
  #31-Robby Gordon(14) - penalized for running over air hose, then dropped out toward the end - 4 laps
  
  Results also at NASCAR.com.
  
  Segment 1 of 2 finish - unofficial after 20 of 30 laps:
  
  #4-Mike Skinner(7)
  #77-Dave Blaney(10)
  #99-Jeff Burton(18)
  #23-Kenny Wallace(5)
  #7-Jimmy Spencer(3)
  
  #31-Robby Gordon(14)
  #11-Brett Bodine(8)
  #45-Kyle Petty(15)
  #0-Jack Sprague(13)
  #41-Casey Mears(19)
  
  #16-Greg Biffle(27)
  #43-John Andretti(16)
  #49-Ken Schrader(6)
  #30-Steve Park(started 1st)
  
  Failed to make the top 14 and are out:
  #1-Jeff Green(11)
  #01-Mike Wallace(4)
  #14-Larry Foyt(17)
  #19-Jeremy Mayfield(12)
  #74-Tony Raines(9)
  #46-Carl Long(24)
  #37-Derrike Cope(21)
  #72-Kirk Shelmerdine(20)
  #89-Morgan Shepherd(26)
  #90-Jason Hedlesky(25)
  #02-Hermie Sadler(22) - out
  #71-Kevin Lepage(23)
  #54-Todd Bodine(2) - out/accident
  
  Caution 1: Lap 1-4 #49-Schrader got into #01-Wallace, who spun, but didn't hit anything
  Caution 2: Lap 6-8 #54-Bodine wrecked got together someone when he got loose, which happened after #1-Green and #11-Bodine got together, #19-Mayfield got into Green, then bounced off #31-Gordon
  NOTES: The pole sitter, #30-Park got black flagged for jumping the start of the race, he had to serve a stop and go penalty.(5-17-2002)
  
  

  QUALIFYING: Friday, May 16th, 2003

• Bill Elliott on the pole for The Winston: #9-Bill Elliott and his crew won the pole for The Winston with a time of 123.192 seconds, #20-Tony Stewart is on the outside pole with a time of 123.764 seconds.(5-16-2003)
  
  Qualifying TIMES/Lineup for The Winston:
  1. #9-Bill Elliott, came in 2nd lap, 12.6 second pitstop, 123.192 seconds
  2. #20-Tony Stewart, 2nd lap, 13.4 pitstop, 123.764 seconds
  3. #29-Kevin Harvick, 2nd lap, 13.5 pitstop, 124.825 seconds
  4. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2nd lap, 13.6 pitstop, 125.014 seconds
  5. #40-Sterling Marlin, 2nd lap, 13.5 pitstop, 125.038 seconds
  
  6. #25-Joe Nemechek, 2nd lap, 14.5 pitstop, 125.047 seconds
  7. #32-Ricky Craven, 2nd lap, 13.0 pitstop, 125.049 seconds
  8. #5-Terry Labonte, 2nd lap, 13.6 pitstop, 125.103 seconds
  9. #15-Michael Waltrip, 2nd lap, 12.9 pitstop, 125.105 seconds
  10. #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st lap, 12.87 pitstop, 125.358 seconds
  
  11. #97-Kurt Busch, 2nd lap, 14.1 pitstop, 125.417 seconds
  12. #12-Ryan Newman, 2nd lap, 14.2 pitstop, 125.668 seconds
  13. #22-Ward Burton, 2nd lap, 13.0 pitstop, 125.671 seconds
  14. #6-Mark Martin, 2nd lap, 14.1 pitstop, 125.949 seconds
  15. #10-Johnny Benson, 2nd lap, 13.1 pitstop, 126.012 seconds
  
  16. #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2nd lap, 14.4 pitstop, 126.013 seconds
  
  17. #17-Matt Kenseth, 2nd lap, 13.9 pitstop, 126.396 seconds
  18. #2-Rusty Wallace, 2nd lap, 13.8 pitstop, 124.805 + 5 seconds for 1 loose lugnut: 129.805
  19. #38-Elliott Sadler, 2nd, 14.1 pitstop, 124.959 + 5 seconds for 1 loose lugnut: 129.959
  20. #21-Ricky Rudd, 2nd lap, 17.6 pitstop, 130.242 seconds
  
  21. #18-Bobby Labonte, 2nd lap, 13.2 pitstop, 123.340 seconds + 20 seconds for speeding: 143.340
  22. #88-Dale Jarrett, 2nd lap, 14.5 pitstop, 123.623 + 20 seconds for speeding: 143.623
  23. #42-Jamie McMurray, 2nd lap, 15.5 pitstop, right rear lug fell off then something broke as the car left pitroad: no time
  
  
• Winton Open Qualifying Notes: #16-Greg Biffle got loose in turn 2 on his first lap and went sideways, but didn't hit anything(5-16-2003)
  
  
• Steve Park on the pole for the Winston Open: #30-Steve Park (sure is werid not putting a #1 in front of his name) won the pole for the Winston Open with a speed of 184.244mph. #54-Todd Bodine is on the outside pole at 183.667, the rest of the top five are #7-Jimmy Spencer, #01-Mike Wallace and #23-Kenny Wallace. #16-Greg Biffle got loose in turn 2 on his first lap and went sideways, but didn't hit anything, he recorded no speed and will start last (27th)(5-16-2003)
  
  Qualifying Speeds/Lineup for the Winston Open:
  1. #30-Steve Park, went out 16th, 184.244mph
  2. #54-Todd Bodine, went out 11th, 183.667
  3. #7-Jimmy Spencer, went out 17th, 183.368
  4. #01-Mike Wallace, went out 6th, 183.206
  5. #23-Kenny Wallace, went out 12th, 182.970
  
  6. #49-Ken Schrader, went out 2nd, 182.914 (wins tie with Skinner, higher in owners points)
  7. #4-Mike Skinner, went out 7th, 182.914
  8. #11-Brett Bodine, went out 21st, 182.859
  9. #74-Tony Raines, went out 15th, 182.679
  10. #77-Dave Blaney, went out 9th, 182.593
  
  11. #1-Jeff Green, went out 3rd, 182.365
  12. #19-Jeremy Mayfield, went out 4th, 181.975
  13. #0-Jack Sprague, went out 14th, 181.892
  14. #31-Robby Gordon, went out 8th, 181.781
  15. #45-Kyle Petty, went out 1st, 181.598
  
  16. #43-John Andretti, crashed in practice, went out 26th, 181.342
  17. #14-Larry Foyt, went out 22nd, 181.299
  18. #99-Jeff Burton, went out 19th, 180.917
  19. #41-Casey Mears, went out 18th, 180.596
  20. #72-Kirk Shelmerdine, went out 20th, 178.749
  
  21. #37-Derrike Cope, went out 25th, 178.371
  22. #02-Hermie Sadler, went out 23rd, 178.235
  23. #71-Kevin Lepage, went out 27th/last, 177.491
  24. #46-Carl Long, went out 10th, 176.638
  25. #90-Jason Hedlesky, went out 13th, 171.909
  
  26. #89-Morgan Shepherd, went out 24th, 158.539
  27. #16-Greg Biffle, went out 5th, got loose and spun, no speed
  
  
• Other Lineup/Qualifying Results Links:
  ThatsRacin.com - The Winston
  ThatsRacin.com - The Winston Open
  NASCAR.com - The Winston
  NASCAR.com - The Winston Open
  
  
• Happy Hour is over for The Winston at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The fastest was #20-Tony Stewart at 179.426mph and #18-Bobby Labonte at 179.004. Slowest was #10-Johnny Benson at 175.553 and #88-Dale Jarrett at 176.557.
  For speeds see ThatsRacin.com.(5-16-2003)
  
  
• Happy Hour is over for the Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway. #54-Todd Bodine was the fastest at 179.898mph, followed by #99-Jeff Burton at 179.539 and #30-Steve Park at 179.434. Slowest were #46-Carl Long at 170.336 and #89-Morgan Shepherd at 172.414. Three drivers did not practice: #02-Hermie Sadler, #90-Jason Hedlesky, and #72-Kirk Shelmerdine.
  For speeds at NASCAR.com.(5-16-2003)
  
  
• The Winston practice 2: at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over. #20-Tony Stewart was the fastest at 183.281, followed by #12-Ryan Newman at 182.896 and #9-Bill Elliott at 182.735. Slowest was #10-Johnny Benson at 178.968 and #42-Jamie McMurray at 179.868.
  For speeds, see ThatsRacin.com. (5-16-2003)
  
  
• Winston Open Practice 2 at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over. #54-Todd Bodine was the fastest at 183.119mph, followed by #23-Kenny Wallace at 182.778. Slowest was #90-Jason Hedlesky at 164.991 and #71-Kevin Lepage at 171.887.
  For speeds, see NASCAR.com. (5-16-2003)
  
  
• The Winston practice 1: at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over. #48-Jimmie Johnson was the fastest with a speed of 180.771mph, followed by #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 180.469. Slowest was #42-Jamie McMurray at 176.626.
  For speeds, see ThatsRacin.com.(5-16-2003)
  
  
• Updated Winston Open Practice 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway speeds. Was due to start at 1:30pm/et, but was delayed as Goody's Dash practice ran late. Now, #30-Steve Park is listed as the fastest at 184.344mph, followed by #19-Jeremy Mayfield at 182.896. 23 of the 27 drivers were listed with a speed, slowest was #02-Hermie Sadler at 173.891mph. Four drivers didn't practice: #90-Hedlesky, #71-Kevin Lepage, #46-Carl Long and #89-Shepherd. No idea why.
  For speeds, see NASCAR.com. (5-16-2003)
  
  
• Qualifying Order is up: for the Winston Open and The Winston. There are 27 drivers/cars listed in the WInston Open, one driver listed on the entry list that is not on the Qualifying Order is #66-Hideo Fukuyama. First driver due out is #19-Jermey Mayfield, last driver due out is #37-Derrike Cope. For The Winston, 23 drivers are listed, first scheduled out is #18-Bobby Labonte, last due out is Humpy Wheeler favorite, #48-Jimmie Johnson.(5-16-2003)
  Qualifying Order Links for The Winston Open via ThatsRacin.com and for The Winston at ThatsRacin.com.
  
  
• Entry List is up for the Winston Open. 27 drivers are listed as being entered in the Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway of the 60+ eligible. 19 Full time drivers who are not in The Winston along with 8 part-timers which include #02-Hermie Sadler, #11-Brett Bodine, #37-Derrike Cope, #46-Carl Long, #66-Hideo Fukuyama; #72-Kirk Shelmerdine, #89-Morgan Shepherd and #90-Jason Hedlesky.(5-13-2003)
  UP to 28 add #71-Kevin Lepage to the entry list.(5-15-2003)
  
  
• The Winston Qualifying: One round of qualifying will be held Friday, May 16, at 8:05pm/et. Each driver will run three laps with a mandatory pit stop following either the first or second lap and change 4 tires. The total elapsed time will comprise each team's qualifying effort and the winning team will earn $50,000.
  Penalties:
  Speeding down pit road, coming in only, 45mph: 20 seconds added to time
  Loose Lug Nut: 5 seconds a lug
  Stop and Go Type Penalty (such as running over air hose): 5 seconds
  Pitting out of the pitbox: qualifying run is disqualified and the car starts at the back
  
  Qualifying Times for the Winston Open and The Winston
  6:05pm/et: Qualifying for The Winston Open (2 laps/all positions), AND
  7:05pm/et: Qualifying for The Winston (3 laps w/pit stop/4-tire change), TV: Speed Channel Live starting at 6:00pm/et
  re-air on Saturday, May 17th at 1:30am/et, and live via MRN radio/internet and XM Satellite - NASCAR Radio (Subscription Required)
  
  

  PRACTICE FOR the WINSTON and WINSTON OPEN

• Entry Lists from NASCAR.com: The Winston Open and The Winston
  
  Friday, May 16th, 2003:
  12:30pm/et: Drawing for Qualifying
  1:30 - 2:10pm/et: Winston Open Practice
  2:20 - 3:05pm/et: The Winston Practice
  3:55 - 4:40pm/et: Winston Open Practice
  4:45 - 4:50pm/et: The Winston Pit Road Practice
  4:50 - 5:30pm/et: The Winston Practice
  Winston Open Final Practice (30 minutes) after the Truck Series race
  then The Winston Final Practice (30 minutes). TV-Speed Channel at 10:30pm/et
  
  Goodyear Tire Notes on my Coca-Cola 600 Race Info Page
  
  

  The Race: Saturday, May 17th, 2003

  7:30pm/et: the Winston Open, AND
  9:00pm/et: The Winston. TV-FX Live starting at 7:00pm/et; re-air Wednesday, May 21st at 8:00pm/et, and Thursday, May 22nd at 1:00am/et and 3:00pm/et
  
  
• Changes to the Winston: There will be a slight change to the qualifying format of The Winston, scheduled to run at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 17th. In 2002 teams could make their madatory pit stop anytime during the 3 lap qualifying run. This year team must pit after they take the green flag to qualifying and before the end of their 3 laps. The drive must enter pit road at the normal pit road speed [45mph I think], but after the pitstop is completed, there will be no pit road speed once they exit their pit box. Also, during the race, plans are once again to invert the field, how it will be inverted or how many drivers is to be determined. The top 20 will advance to the 2nd segment (of three) and top 14 after the 2nd segment will advance to the 3rd segment.(Winston Cup Scene - Subscription Required to read online)(3-26-2003)
  
  
  Scanner Frequencies:
  are linked on my Scanner Freq/Equipment Links Page
  Sponsored by Racing Electronics
  
  Local Newspaper and other Sites that cover the Concord/Charlotte, NC Area:
  ThatsRacin.com
  Charlotte.com
  Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
  Charlotte Observer
  Asheville Citizen-Times
  Fayetteville Observer-Times
  GoCarolina's
  Go Lake Norman
  Henderson Times-News
  High Point Enterprise
  Independent Tribune
  Mooresville, NC
  NBC 6
  News and Observer
  News and Record
  Winston-Salem Journal
  WRAL-TV Raleigh, NC
  
  
  Weather Forecast:
  The Weather Channel
  Accuweather
  Intellicast - NASCAR weather
  National Weather Service
  Weather Underground
  

  ---

  ODDS for The Winston

• America's Line - Odds for The Winston
  
  
• National Sports Services - The Winston
  
  
• NASCAR Betting Odds: The Winston
  
  
• Vegas Insider: The Winston and The Winston Open
  
  
• World Sports Exchange:The Winston odds and other NASCAR odds
  
  

  ---

  Paint Schemes at The Winston and Winston Open

  click here for The Winston Open and The Winston paint schemes news and links

  Car#/Driver	Sponsor/Scheme/Promo
  #1-Jeff Green	?Synthetic Pennzoil - nope?
  #31-Robby Gordon	Reverse Cingular
  #77-Dave Blaney	Panther Power
  #99-Jeff Burton	Kraft Velveeta
  #2-Rusty Wallace	Goo Goo Dolls
  #6-Mark Martin	Viagra - White - Reverse
  #15-Michael Waltrip	Nilla Wafers/NAPA
  #17-Matt Kenseth	Smirnoff Ice
  #18-Bobby Labonte	Advair (hood)
  #22-Ward Burton	Caterpillar/Acert chrome
  #24-Jeff Gordon	Wright Brothers/First Flight
  #29-Kevin Harvick	Snap-on Tools
  #48-Jimmie Johnson	Power of Pride
  #38-Elliott Sadler	Pedigree Dog Food
  #97-Kurt Busch	NOPE - Blue Ice Sharpie

  
  
  

  ---

  Rules/News and Info for The Winston Open

• The Winston Open Fast Facts:
  Location: Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.
  Date: Saturday, May 17, 2003, Time: 7:30 p.m. (EDT)
  Eligibility: All NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams that competed in a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event in 2002 or 2003, and are not already eligible for The Winston, may compete in The Winston Open.
  Length: The Winston Open will consist of 30 laps, 45 miles, and will be run in two segments-20 laps and 10 laps. The top-14 finishers in the first 20-lap segment will advance to the final segment. There will be a five-minute break following the first segment during which teams may change tires and make chassis adjustments without losing track position. All restarts in both segments will be double-file and only green-flag laps in the final segment will count.
  Purse: $870,000 (event record); Winner's share: $47,200 plus a starting spot in The Winston
  2002 Winner: Jeremy Mayfield, #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge
  Qualifying: The better of two qualifying laps will determine a driver's official qualifying speed for The Winston Open. Qualifying is scheduled for Friday, May 16, at 6:05pm/et
  2002 Pole Sitter: Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, 29.454 seconds, 183.337mph
  Radio/Television: Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast The Winston Open live to its affiliate radio stations beginning at 7:00pm/et. Cable station FX will televise the race live with coverage set to begin with a pre-race show at 7:00pm/et.
  Tickets: Tickets for Lowe's Motor Speedway's May 17 events, which include The Winston, The Winston Open, the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 100 and Miller Time Live Rock 'n' Racing featuring the Goo Goo Dolls, start at just $21 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(4-29-2003)
  
  
• Also new in 2003, the "Survival of the Fastest" format will apply to The Winston Open. Only one winner from the Winston Open will advance to The Winston. The No Bull Sprint has been eliminated. As in years past, The Winston Open will be 30 laps, but this year, those laps will be divided into two segments of 20 and 10 laps, respectively. After the first 20-lap segment, the top-14 cars will advance to the final 10-lap segment. There will be a caution period between segments during which teams may pit, but will lose track position.
  
  As is the case with the first two segments of The Winston, should the Winston Open encounter a caution during the first 20-lap segment, effort will be made to ensure a green-flag finish for that segment. Only green-flag laps count in the final 10-lap segment.
  The Winston Open is composed of drivers and teams who participated in a NASCAR Winston Cup event during the current or previous season and are not otherwise eligible for The Winston.
  
  
• The Winston Open Qualifying: Qualifying session will consist of two laps for each team with the quickest lap determining that team's qualifying position.
  The Winston Open: This 30-lap event is for all NASCAR Winston Cup teams that are not already eligible for The Winston. In the first segment, all laps count including caution laps. The race will be divided into two segments of 20 and 10 laps, respectively. After the first 20 laps, there will be a caution period. The top-14 cars will advance to the final 10-lap segment with the winner of the race advancing into The Winston. For the second segment of The Winston Open, only green-flag laps count. If a late-race caution occurs, every attempt will be made to ensure a green-flag finish.
  
  

  Rules/News and Info for The Winston 2003

• Governor loses control of race car, wrecks at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Not Injured: North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, who was turning practice laps in a Winston Cup car at Lowe's Motor Speedway Friday morning, lost control of the car while exiting Turn 2 and wrecked on the backstretch. Easley was not injured, speedways officials confirmed. The accident occurred about 11:45am.et and Easley's car - a #48 Chevy from Hendrick Motorsports - was the only car on the track at the time. Easley was wearing the HANS device, one of two head-and-neck restraint systems mandated by NASCAR in October 2001. After the wreck, Easley stood by the car joking with his staff and track officials and even autographed the crumpled car before it was towed away. Easley drove two laps behind the pace cars for two parade laps before last October's Winston Cup race at Charlotte. He'd planned to run three laps in honor of the late Dale Earnhardt, but a rain delay and damp track conditions spoiled those plans. Easley was at the track Friday to practice in preparation of reprising that role during May race activities at the speedway.(ThatsRacin.com)
  AND A close call this morning for North Carolina Governor Mike Easley at Lowes Motor Speedway. Driving an old Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowes Chevy The Governor lost the handle coming out of turn 2 then crashed.along the backstretch wall while practicing for a pre-race event for The Winston All-Star race next weekend. Easley, who was clocked at just over 165 miles per hour when the accident occured was not injured. After autographing pieces of the wrecked car he continued his pace laps in an old Terry Labonte #5 Kelloggs Monte Carlo.(PRN's Garage Pass)(5-9-2003)
  
  
• The Winston Fast Facts:
  Location: Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC.
  Date: Saturday, May 17, 2003
  Time: 9:00pm/et.
  Companion Races: The Winston Open - NASCAR Winston Cup Series ....... EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 100 - NASCAR Goody's Dash Series
  Distance:...... 90 laps, 135 miles (run in three segments of 40 laps, 30 laps and 20 laps). Teams must make a mandatory green-flag, four-tire pit stop at some point during the first segment, and lap No. 40 must be completed on the track. The top-20 finishers from the first segment will advance to the second segment. 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. Only the top-14 finishers in the second segment will advance to the final segment. 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 as determined by fan voting prior to the start of the final segment. All restarts in The Winston will be double file and only green flag laps count in the final segment.
  Purse:. $3 million (event record)
  ....... The Winston winner's purse: minimum $1 million
  ....... Segment 1 & 2 Bonuses: 1st, $50,000; 2nd $15,000; 3rd, $7,500
  Radio/Television: Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the race live to its affiliate stations beginning at 7:00pm/et. Cable channel FX will televise The Winston live. Pre-race coverage begins at 7:00pm/et and will also include coverage of The Winston Open.
  2002 Winner: Ryan Newman, #12 ALLTEL Ford
  Qualifying: One round of qualifying will be held Friday, May 16, at 8:05pm/et. Each driver will run three laps with a mandatory pit stop following either the first or second lap. The total elapsed time will comprise each team's qualifying effort and the winning team will earn $50,000.
  2002 Pole Sitter: Matt Kenseth, Dewalt Tools Ford, 112.938 seconds, 143.442 mph, total elapsed time of three laps, including a four-tire pit stop.
  Tickets: Tickets for Lowe's Motor Speedway's May 17 events, which include The Winston, The Winston Open, the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 100 and Miller Time Live Rock 'n' Racing concert featuring the Goo Goo Dolls, start at just $21 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
  
  
• The WINSTON 2003 - news and rules announced: The winner of NASCAR's all-star race, The Winston, will enjoy a million-dollar payday in 2003. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and its Winston brand today announced the purse increase and revisions to the format for the 2003 edition of The Winston. Like last year, it'll be "Survival of the Fastest" as drivers will be eliminated from the grid following both the first and second segments, leaving just the 14 fastest drivers to compete for the million-dollar winner's share of a $3.5 million purse in the final 20-lap dash around Lowe's Motor Speedway.
  
  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 $1 million, or $50,000 per lap over the final 20-lap segment.
  
  The Winston (Saturday, May 17) 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. During the segment, teams must make a green-flag, four-tire pit stop but must complete lap No. 40 on the track. Caution laps will count in the segment, but efforts will be made for a green-flag finish of the segment.
  
  The second segment will be 30 laps, after which only 14 competitors will advance to the shootout for $1 million.
  Inversion, a staple of the competitive format of The Winston since 1992, will remain a part of the program for the 2003 event. Following the second segment, there will be an inversion as determined by the fans. An announcement on how fans will vote will be made in the near future by Lowe's Motor Speedway.
  
  The field for The Winston, by rule, consists of a minimum of 19 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. Currently, there are 23 drivers eligible for this year's edition of The Winston.
  
  Qualifying procedures for The Winston continue to focus on team performance. Each team will complete three laps around Lowe's Motor Speedway with a mandatory four-tire pit stop during the qualifying attempt. Drivers will have to obey the pit-road speed limit entering pit road, but there is no speed limit exiting pit road. The green flag and checkered flag must be taken on the track. The total elapsed time of the pit stop and laps will determine the pole position for The Winston. The pole-winning team will collect $50,000.
  
  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 $2 million, with the winner pocketing $500,000.
  
  The Winston Qualifying: Qualifying procedures for The Winston continue to focus on team performance. Each team will complete three laps around Lowe's Motor Speedway with a mandatory four-tire pit stop during the qualifying attempt. Drivers will have to obey the pit-road speed limit entering pit road, but there is no speed limit exiting pit road. The green flag and checkered flag must be taken on the track. The total elapsed time of the pit stop and laps will determine the pole position for The Winston. The winning team will earn $50,000.
  
  The Winston: This race will be 90 laps [135 miles] and run in three segments of 40, 30 and 20 laps. The field will be inverted for the final segment as determined by fan voting.
  
  Segment No. 1: The first segment will be 40 laps. (At the present, the field for The Winston would be 23 cars -- 18 race winner from 2002, one race winner from 2003, two NASCAR Winston Cup champions not otherwise exempt, one car owner (#38) not otherwise exempt and the Winston Open winner). Teams must make a mandatory green-flag, four-tire pit stop at some point during this segment, and each team must complete the final lap on the racetrack. All laps count including caution laps. If there is a late-segment caution, every attempt 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.
  Teams may change tires and make chassis adjustments.
  
  Segment No. 2: The second segment will be 30 laps. Only the top-20 finishers in the first segment advance to the second segment. The first-segment finish will determine the double-file starting order 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 attempt will be made to ensure a green-flag finish. Only the top-14 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.
  Teams may change tires and make chassis adjustments.
  The field will be inverted as determined by fan voting.
  
  Segment No. 3: The final segment will be 20 laps. The top-14 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 $1 million. Total Purse: $3,500,000.(Lowe's Motor Speedway PR)(4-16-2003)
  
  
• Changes to the Winston: NASCAR and R.J. Reynolds officials on Wednesday confirmed changes to the format of the 2003 Winston all-star race, including a record $1 million payoff for the winner. The race, scheduled for May 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, features race winners from the 2002 and 2003 seasons as well as past winners of the event. Then-rookie Ryan Newman won the 2002 Winston and its then-record $750,000 purse. The race, entering its 19th season, has been hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway since 1987. The Winston will continue to be run in three segments for a total of 90 laps. However, several changes have been in thoses segments and to The Winston Open, a race among drivers not already qualified for The Winston. Among the changes:
  - The first segment will consist of 40 laps, during which teams must make a mandatory green-flag, four-tire pit stop. If there's a late-segment caution, efforts will be made by NASCAR to ensure a green-flag finish. The top-20 finishers advance to the next segment.
  - Following a 10-minute break, during which teams may work on their cars without losing track position, the second segment of 30 laps will be held. Only the top-14 finishers will advance to the third segment.
  - Following another 10-minute break, the final segment of 20 laps will take place. The starting order will be inverted from positions three through 10 following a random selection process during the break. Only green-flag laps will count toward the total.
  The winner of the final segments receives $1 million. The winner of the first two segments - as well as the pole winner - receives $50,000.
  - The Winston Open, which included opportunities for two drivers to advance to The Winston the last two years, will return to one race in 2003. However, the race will consist of two segments - of 20 and 10 laps - and only the top-14 finishers from the first will advance to the second. Only green-flag laps will count in the final segment and only the winner will advance to The Winston. The Winston weekend will also feature the debut of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series at Lowe's Motor Speedway, with the inaugural Hardee's 200 set for May 16.(ThatsRacin.com)(2-5-2003)
  
  
• The Winston in 2003 - a One Year Deal UPDATE Officially Stays at Lowes in 2003: The news that The Winston will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2003 is already out of the bag, but Charlotte-area race fans should still pay attention to what's said when that's officially announced Wednesday in Winston-Salem. Every indication is that the deal to keep NASCAR's all-star race right where it has been since 1987 will be a one-year arrangement. If that means Charlotte, Concord and the surrounding area are getting one more chance to show how much the event is truly appreciated, then a one-year deal is a fair shake.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-20-2002)
  UPDATE: NASCAR and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. officials today announced The Winston, NASCAR Winston Cup racing's annual all-star event, will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2003. The event, scheduled for Saturday night, May 17, will mark the 18th time in 19 years that the non-points special event has been run at the 1.5-mile superspeedway.(LMS PR)(8-21-2002)
  
  
• Winston Back to Lowe's in 2003? UPDATE 3: The Charlotte, N.C., area will likely know by the end of next week that it’s going to get one more chance to show how much it cares about having The Winston all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco officials are working out the details on an announcement of the site for the 2003 running of The Winston. The Charlotte Observer has learned that a news conference is tentatively planned for Wednesday afternoon at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, the home base for RJR.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-14-2002)
  UPDATE: During yesterday's conference call on Speedway Motorsports' financial results, Humpy Wheeler was asked when they would know if The Winston returns to Charlotte for 2003. Humpy's answer: "I expect it to be in the next two to three weeks because NASCAR is finalizing the schedule right now." Then he was asked about possibility of legal action against NASCAR if they lose The Winston. His reply: "Regarding legal action against NASCAR , we are working with them to resolve as best we can the Winston situation."(MotorsportsTV)(8-15-2002)
  UPDATE 2: The Winston all-star race will return next year to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, officials familiar with the event confirmed today. NASCAR had considered pulling the race out of the Cabarrus County speedway, just across the county line from Mecklenburg, and sending it to another city. Instead, NASCAR will give the track another year to host the race, and look to the community to help build up the event, the sources said. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., the sponsor of the NASCAR races, has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday [Aug 21st] to formally discuss the fate of the Winston. A Reynolds spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the event was returning to the Charlotte area. Officials in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties have been lobbying hard to keep The Winston. They have said they will work to raise $1.5 million and plan a month's worth of events leading up to the race next May.(Charlotte Observer)(8-15-2002)
  AND see another story at ThatsRacin.com: NASCAR's all-star race to return to Charlotte next year.(8-16-2002)
  
  
• The Winston Decision is close: Ned Leary, president of R.J.R. Tobacco Co.'s Sports Marketing Enterprises, said Sunday that NASCAR and RJR officials were close to a decision whether to keep The Winston all-star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway next season. "I think we'll be in a position to make an announcement over the next few weeks," Leary said. "We're talking about all the programs we do and what we need to do to make them better. If it's not this topic, it'd be another." The Charlotte track has hosted the race every season but one since its inception in 1985. Recently, NASCAR has indicated a desire to see the race move to a different venue each season. Last month, RJR officials expressed their desire to keep The Winston remain in Charlotte, but also reiterated that NASCAR has the final decision. Leary also said RJR was looking to make some changes to his No Bull 5 driver bonus program, which gives five drivers and five fans a chance to win $1 million at five races throughout the season. "We've been running that program for fives years now and it's been very successful, but we're constantly looking for ways to add excitement," Leary said. "Anytime something runs for five straight years in the exact same format, it needs a look anyway to see if tweaking it might not bring some extra excitement to it."(ThatsRacin.com)(8-4-2002)
  
  
• The Winston? Tix? at Lowes? UPDATE: many readers have told me that they are getting spring 2003 Lowe's Motor Speedway renewals and The Winston is listed at running at LMS on May 16 with The Winston Qualifying and May 17 with The Winston Open and The Winston.
  UPDATE: from a few readers - Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket renewals do list the Winston and request that you renew the seats you have, IN CASE The Winston does return. There was a small insert in the envelope that says, "NOTE: NASCAR officials have not released the 2003 Winston Cup Schedule. While sanction agreements have been signed.for the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 on May 24, 2003, and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, the date and site for the running of The Winston has not yet been finalized. Lowe's Motor Speedway officials are making preparations to once again host The Winston on May 17, including renewing ticket orders. Should the anticipated date and site change, you will be notified and credit/refunds would be processed immediately. We strongly advise you to renew your seats to ensure your priority seating preference."(7-27-2002)
  
  
• RJ Reynolds wants the Winston to stay in Charlotte: Officials with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which sponsors the Winston Cup series, have indicated they would prefer the annual Winston all-star race remain at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The Charlotte track has hosted the race every season but one since its inception in 1985. Recently, NASCAR has indicated a desire to see the race move to a different venue each season. Ned Leary, president of RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises, said among the reasons Lowe's Motor Speedway is preferred is the amount of work done by the track to promote and develop The Winston; and the City of Charlotte's efforts to demonstrate its support of the event.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-7-2002)
  
  
• The Winston future will wait until 2003 sched is set: NASCAR says it won't decide on the future of The Winston all-star race until after it sets its regular schedule for next year. "That's what we typically do with special events like The Winston," said Herb Branham, NASCAR's communication manager at Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. That could mean several months of uncertainty about the event, which NASCAR might move next May after a 16-year run at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord.(Charlotte Observer), already getting many questions on the 2003 Cup sched, have heard nothing to report, the 2002 season is only 1/3 the way done, NASCAR releases the schedule in Aug/Sept usually. As renews come in I build an unofficial schedule, but it is too early in the season right now to do so.(5-27-2002)
  
  
• Winston Rules to be 'tweaked'? R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. officials are already looking at how they might adjust the new rules used in The Winston this year to make them better in 2003. While no such decisions can be made without NASCAR’s approval, RJR will considering proposing that the number of cars to will be inverted before the final segment be selected randomly next year, instead of by a fan vote. Although officials like giving fans a voice in the race, it’s clear that fans are always going to vote to invert the maximum number they’re allowed to choose. Randomly choosing the number of cars to invert could discourage drivers from laying back in the second segment to get a better starting spot for the third. RJR will also look at making the Winston Open slightly longer and requiring teams to make a pit stop during that preliminary race to stir competition. Jeremy Mayfield led all 30 laps in the Open last weekend.(ThatsRacin.com), no mention changing the way a pit stop is made in the first segment of the Winston.(5-22-2002)
  
  
• Update on the Winston UPDATE to Bristol?: Rich Habegger, Winston Cup director for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco's Sports Marketing Enterprises, said there has been no discussion of moving The Winston, the sport's all-star race currently conducted at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte, N.C. "Our focus has been the concept and format of this year's race," Habegger said about the May 18 special event. "Hopefully, we'll start talking to NASCAR in June about where it may be located next year. Our contract with Lowe's was up last year, thus the talk about a possible move, but there have been no discussions along that line." California Speedway was mentioned by NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter as a possible new site for the event. But, according to Habegger, such talk is premature at this point.(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(4-29-2002)
  UPDATE: Talk about moving racing's all-star event is stirring again. And early speculation is that it could come to Bristol. If some members of the NASCAR family have their wish, NASCAR's all-star event would soon move to Bristol Motor Speedway. According to a story in the April 25 edition of NASCAR Winston Cup Scene, BMS would be the most likely candidate if The Winston is moved from its current location at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. BMS General Manager Jeff Byrd has mixed feelings about that scenario. "I personally think The Winston needs to stay in Charlotte,'' Byrd said. "But if the event is going to be moved, we would love to have it."(Bristol Herald Courier)(5-1-2002)
  
  
• More The Winston - Moving? RJR’s contract with LMS expires after this year’s running of The Winston event and there are questions over whether the race will return, and if it does, whether it will return to Charlotte. RJR’s Winston Cup director Rich Habegger admitted Wednesday that a decision had not been made on the future of the race and that talks would get underway in the next couple of months. The drivers of course enjoy the benefits of running two consecutive weeks near their home base, a rarity in the Bataan Death March of NASCAR’s schedule. But proximity aside, reigning NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon said that he feels that Charlotte is the perfect venue for a high-stakes, no-points, let’s-see-who-can-drive-this-thing-the-hardest shootout. For his part, LMS president H.A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler has no plans to give up his hold on the race without a fight.(Speed Channel)(4-11-2002)
  UPDATE - A new location for The Winston? The Winston, NASCAR's all-star race, could be moving from its long-time home at Lowe's Motor Speedway. NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said negotiations are under way with Winston, which sponsors the race and the Winston Cup Series, about changing the location -- and possibly the rules -- of the race. "The Winston originated as a fans' all-star race that would be moved from venue to venue, but over the years we got away from that," Hunter said. Hunter said fans and other track owners are asking for the race to be moved. "We're reviewing all the options," Hunter said. "Even to the point of the rules and procedures that have changed over the years." Tracks he mentioned as possible hosts include Richmond, California, Martinsville and Las Vegas. "You want to take it to a place where they can race, that's not a one-groove track," he said.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(4-13-2002)