1987 The Winston Explained

Year:1987
Race Name:The Winston
Details Ref:[1]
Type:CUST
Description:Race 2 of 2 exhibition races in the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Location:Concord, North Carolina
Course:Charlotte Motor Speedway
Course Mi:1.5
Course Km:2.4
Distance Laps:135
Distance Mi:202.5
Distance Km:324
Weather:Temperatures around 82F, with humidity at 59% and winds gusting to 8mph southwest
Avg:153.023mph
Pole Driver:Bill Elliott
Pole Team:Melling Racing
Most Driver:Bill Elliott
Most Team:Melling Racing
Most Laps:121
Car:3
First Driver:Dale Earnhardt
First Team:Richard Childress Racing
Network:ABC
Announcers:Keith Jackson and Donnie Allison

The 1987 edition of The Winston was a stock car racing competition that took place on May 17, 1987. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the 135-lap race was an exhibition race in the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the pole and led the most laps (121), but it was Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing who won the race in a move that would be known in NASCAR history as the Pass in the Grass.[2] [3]

This was Tim Richmond's second and final appearance in The Winston. Despite being eligible for the 1988 Winston, he opted not to participate due to a then-ongoing lawsuit against NASCAR after he was suspended for testing positive for banned substances early that year. He died of complications from AIDS on August 13, 1989.[4] [5]

Background

The Winston was open to race winners from last season through the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, including the 1986 Atlanta Invitational. The winner of The Winston Open advanced to complete the starting grid. Because the field did not meet the minimum requirement of 19 cars, the remaining spots were awarded to the most recent winning drivers prior to the 1986 season.

1987 The Winston drivers and eligibility

Race winners in 1986 and 1987

1986 Atlanta Invitational winner

Race winners from previous years, not eligible by the above criteria

Winner of The Winston Open

Race summary

Segment 1

Bill Elliott won the pole with a track record of 170.827mph. Buddy Baker made the starting grid by winning the Winston Open. Cale Yarborough served as the onboard camera car throughout the race. On the first lap, Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine got loose and tangled with each other, with Earnhardt slightly hitting the turn three wall and both cars losing several positions in the process. Earnhardt eventually inched his way towards the top-five throughout the race. On lap 62, Neil Bonnett and Richard Petty collided in turn three, bringing out the first caution and ending their chances of finishing the race. Segment 1 ended on lap 76 with Elliott in first place.

Segment results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott ($25,000)
  2. 5-Geoff Bodine
  3. 17-Darrell Waltrip

Segment 2

Baker retired on lap 95 due to a transmission failure while Harry Gant suffered engine problems on lap 121. Segment 2 ended on lap 126, with Elliott once again on the top spot.

Segment results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott ($50,000)
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine

Segment 3

As Segment 3 began, Bodine attempted to pass in front of Elliott, but both cars tangled with Bodine spinning while Earnhardt took over the lead before the caution came out. With eight laps to go, Elliott closed in on Earnhardt and tapped him from behind. Earnhardt was sent to the infield grass, but he quickly recovered to maintain the lead in what has become known as the "pass in the grass".[2] Both cars once again traded paint side-by-side, but the contact cut Elliott's left rear tire, forcing him to pit and go a lap down while Terry Labonte charged forward to challenge Earnhardt. Eventually, Earnhardt beat Labonte and Tim Richmond to win The Winston and earn $200,000.

Following the race, a frustrated Elliott bumped Earnhardt before all cars returned to pit road and Earnhardt entered victory lane.

+ Race results
PosGridCarDriverOwnerManufacturerLaps runLaps led
143Dale EarnhardtRichard Childress RacingChevrolet13510
21211Terry LabonteJunior Johnson & AssociatesChevrolet1350
3225Tim RichmondHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1350
455Geoff BodineHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1353
5727Rusty WallaceBlue Max RacingPontiac1350
61521Kyle PettyWood Brothers RacingFord1351
71726Morgan ShepherdKing RacingBuick1350
81422Bobby AllisonStavola Brothers RacingBuick1350
9917Darrell WaltripHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1350
10655Benny ParsonsJackson MotorsportsOldsmobile1350
111815Ricky RuddBud Moore EngineeringFord1350
12328Davey AllisonRainier-Lundy RacingFord1340
131929Cale YarboroughCale Yarborough MotorsportsOldsmobile1340
1419Bill ElliottMelling RacingFord134121
151150Greg SacksDingman Brothers RacingPontiac1320
16108Bobby Hillin Jr.Stavola Brothers RacingBuick1320
171333Harry GantMach 1 RacingChevrolet1210
182088Buddy BakerBaker-Schiff RacingOldsmobile950
191643Richard PettyPetty EnterprisesPontiac630
20875Neil BonnettRahMoc EnterprisesPontiac620

Aftermath

NASCAR fined Earnhardt and Elliott $10,000 each for aggressive driving, with $7,500 being returned over the next seven weeks for good behavior. Geoff Bodine was fined $5,000 with $4,000 being returned over the next seven weeks for good behavior. Elliott and Earnhardt later made up, with Elliott issuing a public apology and accepting the penalty. On May 27, 1987, a fan sent NASCAR President Bill France Jr. a letter threatening to kill Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Glen, or Dover. NASCAR immediately handed over the letter to the FBI, who provided security for Earnhardt on all three tracks. The investigation was closed after the races on the three tracks finished with no incident.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1987 The Winston. Racing-Reference . November 28, 2018.
  2. News: Dale Earnhardt Jr. on why his dad's infamous 'pass in the grass' All-Star Race was so incredible . Michelle R. . Martinelli . . May 18, 2017 . November 29, 2018.
  3. Web site: 10 Historic NASCAR All-Star Races . Tom . Jensen . . May 19, 2023 . September 27, 2023.
  4. News: Tim Richmond, 34, Auto Racer . . August 16, 1989 . January 28, 2019.
  5. Web site: More than Tim Richmond died in 1989 . Ed . Hinton . . August 17, 2009 . January 28, 2019.
  6. Web site: "When I Get A Clear Shot...": 25 Years Ago, Dale Earnhardt Received This Death Threat For His Ornery Driving . Barry . Petchesky . Deadspin . . August 21, 2012 . November 30, 2018.