Stars in cars: the Winston, NASCAR's multisegment all-star event, has a top prize of $1 million

Sporting News, The, May 19, 2003 by Lee Spencer

What all-star event has thrills, chills and a million reasons to win?

Only The Winston. For 19 years, R.J. Reynolds has tweaked and twisted its format into the battle royal it has become today. Touted as the "Survival of the Fastest," this year's Winston, which is Saturday night, should be fast and furious because this year's winner's share has doubled to $1 million.

The Winston has a minimum field of 20 and is made up of drivers who have won races this season or last; active former Winston Cup champions; active drivers who have won The Winston in the preceding five years, and the winner of the Winston Open.

The Open is a two-segment qualifier. The top 14 in the 20-lap first segment make the 10-lap second run, and its winner advances to The Winston.

The Winston consists of three segments for a total of 90 laps. The first segment is 40 laps, and teams must make a four-tire pit stop during it. The top 20 finishers advance to the second segment, which is 30 laps. At the end of the second run, only the top 14 competitors remain to compete for the $1 million check in the final, 20-lap segment.

The field for the final segment will be inverted in some fashion, as determined by a vote of fans at NASCAR.com.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to get to race in The Winston," Jamie McMurray says. "I've watched that race on TV for years and always thought that'd be a cool race to run in. It's a race for the fans and for the drivers since it's not a points race.... I'm sure there'll be lots of fireworks on and off the track that night. It seems like there always is."