| | |  | | Terry Labonte survived a crash-filled Winston to reach Victory Lane last year. |
CONCORD, N.C. -- It is time once again for the "All Star Race" known as The Winston.
Many fans that I talk to love this event. The all-or-nothing format makes it popular with ticket buyers. But, even though there have been some great moments in the history of this event, I am not that crazy about it. It's the format that bothers me the most.
What is the deal with having three segments? OK, you guys go out and run 30 laps and then come in and take a break. And, oh and by the way, there may be an inversion.
I know The Winston isn't a points race, so NASCAR can do anything it wants to hype the crowd. But, hey wait a minute, why do they even have an event that doesn't count in the season-long points championship? And here is another question: Why does The Winston take up another precious weekend as a stand-alone event?
Most people believe that the date for The Winston will move into the week leading into the Coca-Cola 600 next year. At least we all hope so. With the addition of two new races to the 2001 schedule (Kansas City and Chicago), it is time to give all of those who travel the complete tour any break possible.
Oh well. Since there is The Winston, we might as well enjoy it Saturday night. As for the strategy in the current format? It's simple: Finish in sixth place in the first segment.
If the inversion is determined to be 12, you will restart in seventh place. If the inversion is determined to be none, you will restart sixth. If you win the first segment (which should always be the object) you could start the second segment in 12th position. That stinks!
This format promotes sand-bagging. The final segment is 10 laps. I have no idea who thought up this plan. Well, yes I do, but I have no idea why. Every race should have a start and a finish, and all the middle should be competition. There are no timeouts in racing, except that is in the Winston.
I have an idea on how to run The Winston in the future. It is called "Australian Pursuit."
All of the eligible drivers draw a number out of the hat for starting positions. The race is given the green flag in a single file order. Once any car is completely passed by any other car, that driver is eliminated and drops off the pace and heads to the garage. All cars would have radio communication with the control tower and the eliminated cars are notified when to get off the track.
This type of Winston would be about passing and running to the front. Talk about exciting!
Now, if needed, at the end of a fuel run (a pre-determined lap number) there would be a caution flag for pit stops. Any passing done on pit road does not eliminate anyone; it just changes the running order for the restart. The last driver running having not been passed is the winner.
This would be one real race with non-stop action. Pit stops are just as important as in a points race, and no one can sand-bag like they do in the current format.
I have to admit there is a certain mystic to The Winston. From the musical driver introductions, to the public address announcer Bill Connell screaming out his last available words, to the glitter and fireworks of Victory Lane, this is a night of big production.
Racing at night is special and racing at night at Lowes Motor Speedway is extra special. This is a BIG show. No one puts on a more entertaining night at a racetrack than Humpy Wheeler.
Dale Earnhardt's 1987 "Pass in the Grass," and Davey Allison and Kyle Petty crashing at the flag stand, are constant reminders that this is a memorable event. I think the race when Jeff Gordon ran out of fuel on the white flag lap might be my favorite Winton memory. Not because Jeff lost, but because it is a constant reminder of how NASCAR racing can keep you on the edge of your seat right up until the checkered flag flies and some times a little after that.
Wow! Now that I think of it, maybe I do like The Winston.
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