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The Winston Million was a cash prize award program on the NASCAR Winston Cup series, based on the Grand Slam concept. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. From 1985-1997, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the title sponsor of NASCAR's premier circuit at the time, offered an award of $1 million for any driver who won three of the four crown jewels on the schedule. R J Reynolds Tobacco Company ( RJR) based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and founded by R The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been From 1998-2002, the award program was reorganized into the Winston No-Bull 5, which offered up to five $1 million bonuses during selected races to qualified drivers. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been As a result of R. J. Reynolds ceasing title sponsorship of NASCAR after 2003, and in the wake of the Ferko lawsuit, the entire Grand Slam was discontinued, and is longer recognized. The Ferko lawsuit is a common nickname for an American lawsuit that was challenged between plaintiff Francis Ferko a shareholder of Speedway Motorsports Inc

Contents

The Grand Slam

The NASCAR Winston Cup (now the Sprint Cup) had long since established the four crown jewels of the schedule. Such races were as follows:

No driver had ever won all four majors in the same season. The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach Florida. Daytona International Speedway is a Superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Aaron's 499 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Talladega Superspeedway is a Motorsports complex located in Talladega Alabama United States The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) and also known as the "Coke 600" is a in length Stock car race held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May in) Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) is a speedway in Concord North Carolina, north of Charlotte. The Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington South Carolina, USA Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September Darlington Raceway is a Race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington South Carolina. Twice prior to 1985, a driver claimed a Small Slam (three out of four majors): Lee Roy Yarbrough (1969) and David Pearson (1976). Lonnie Yarbrough (born September 17, 1938 in Jacksonville Florida, died December 7, 1984) was a NASCAR racer Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. David Gene Pearson (born December 22, 1934 in Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR Racecar Starting in 1985, R. J. Reynolds, and brand sponsor Winston, began offering a $1 million bonus for any driver to win a Small Slam in the same season. Winston Cigarettes are manufactured for or by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company or its newer incarnation as RJR Nabisco and/or its affiliates The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been If there was no million dollar winner, a $100,000 consolation bonus would be given to the first driver to win two of the races. If a driver went into the Coca-Cola 600 or the Southern 500 with a chance to win the million, the race was advertised as "The Winston Million Running of the Coca-Cola 600/Southern 500" From 1994-1996, the program was advertised as the "Winston Select Million," as R. J. Reynolds chose to promote their 'Select' brand in NASCAR.

Initial success

In the program's first year, Bill Elliott captured the million dollar bonus. William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup The victory thrust him into notoriety. He became known as "Million Dollar Bill," and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated is an American Sports Magazine owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. The relative ease that Elliott won the bonus led many to believe that the prize would be awarded fairly often in subsequent seasons. This, however, was ultimately deceiving, as the award proved difficult to win, and at times, difficult to even have a candidate in contention to win.

Frustration

Following Elliott's success, over a decade of failure followed. In 1989, Darrell Waltrip became the first driver since Elliott in 1985 to have a chance at the million. Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona He, however, was never a factor at Darlington, and settled for the $100,000 consolation. In 1990, Dale Earnhardt was leading the Daytona 500 on the final lap when he cut a tire and failed to win the race. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving He went on to win two other legs of the Winston Million, and would have won the million bonus had he held on to win at Daytona. In 1992, the Southern 500 was cut short by rain, preventing Davey Allison from a chance to clinch the million. He had been in contention much of the race, and finished 5th. Incidently, from mid-1991 to mid-1992, Davey Allison won three of the four races, but it was accomplished over two seasons. He sat as defending champion of three of the crown jewels at once in a similar fashion to the "Tiger Slam" (but never won the Southern 500). Background and family Woods was born in Cypress, California to Earl (1932-2006 and Kultida (Tida Woods Four years later in 1996, Dale Jarrett had a chance to win the million. Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver He won at Daytona and Charlotte, and finshed 0. 22 seconds short of winning at Talladega (he finished 2nd to Sterling Marlin). A 14th place finish at Darlington finally foiled his chances. It would not be until 1997 that the million was won again. Jeff Gordon finally prevailed, holding off a hard charging Jeff Burton on the final lap at Darlington. Jeffery Michael Gordon Jeffrey Brian Burton (born June 29, 1967 in South Boston Virginia) also sometimes referred to as "JB" is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The two cars touched coming around to take the white flag side-by-side, with Gordon holding on to win. A Brinks truck led him around the victory lap, spewing bags of Winston play money. The Brink's Company ( is a security and protection company headquartered in Richmond Virginia, United States.

Career Grand Slam Statistics

From 1998-2004, even after the entire program was discontinued, no driver again ever managed to win three of the four majors in the same season. Because of the Ferko lawsuit, the Southern 500 was discontinued after it had moved to November for the new Chase for the Nextel Cup purposes, and the Grand Slam is no longer intact.

Winston Million race winners/results (1985-1997)

Season Daytona Talladega Charlotte Darlington Notes
1985 Bill Elliott Bill Elliott Darrell Waltrip Bill Elliott Elliott won Winston Million
1986 Geoff Bodine Bobby Allison Dale Earnhardt Tim Richmond  
1987 Bill Elliott Davey Allison Kyle Petty Dale Earnhardt  
1988 Bobby Allison Phil Parsons Darrell Waltrip Bill Elliott  
1989 Darrell Waltrip Davey Allison Darrell Waltrip Dale Earnhardt Waltrip won $100,000 bonus
1990 Derrike Cope Dale Earnhardt Rusty Wallace Dale Earnhardt Earnhardt won $100,000 bonus
1991 Ernie Irvan Harry Gant Davey Allison Harry Gant Gant won $100,000 bonus
1992 Davey Allison Davey Allison Dale Earnhardt Darrell Waltrip Allison won $100,000 bonus: Waltrip has Career Grand Slam
1993 Dale Jarrett Ernie Irvan Dale Earnhardt Mark Martin  
1994 Sterling Marlin Dale Earnhardt Jeff Gordon Bill Elliott  
1995 Sterling Marlin Mark Martin Bobby Labonte Jeff Gordon  
1996 Dale Jarrett Sterling Marlin Dale Jarrett Jeff Gordon Jarrett won $100,000 bonus
1997 Jeff Gordon Mark Martin Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Gordon won Winston Million

Winston No Bull 5

In 1998, in preparations for the 50th anniversary of NASCAR, R. Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Jeffery Michael Gordon Jimmie Kenneth Johnson For the American composer see Buddy Baker (composer. For the DC Comics character see Animal Man. The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach Florida. The Aaron's 499 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) and also known as the "Coke 600" is a in length Stock car race held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway The Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington South Carolina, USA The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 10 and ended on Sunday November 17. William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup The 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 16 and ended November 16. Geoffrey Bodine (born April 18, 1949 in Chemung New York) is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers ( Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Tim Richmond ( June 7, 1955 - August 13, 1989) was an American NASCAR Race car driver The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 8 and ended November 22. William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Kyle Richard Petty (born June 2, 1960 in Randleman North Carolina) is an American NASCAR driver the son and grandson of racers Richard Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 7 and ended November 20. Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Phil Parsons (born June 21, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan) is a former NASCAR driver Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 12 and ended November 19. Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Sunday February 11 and ended on Sunday November 18. Derrike Cope is a race-car driver in NASCAR, best known for his win at the 1990 Daytona 500. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Russell William "Rusty" Wallace (born August 14, 1956) is a former NASCAR champion NASCAR Nationwide Series car owner and television Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 10 and ended November 17. Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan, (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas California) is a former race driver in NASCAR Harry Phil Gant (born January 10, 1940 in Taylorsville North Carolina) is a retired American racecar driver best known for driving the number 33 Skoal David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Harry Phil Gant (born January 10, 1940 in Taylorsville North Carolina) is a retired American racecar driver best known for driving the number 33 Skoal The 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 9 and ended on November 15. David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan, (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas California) is a former race driver in NASCAR Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Mark Martin may refer to Mark Martin (racecar driver (b 1959 American racecar driver Mark Martin (cartoonist, American cartoonist The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 13. Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Jeffery Michael Gordon William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on February 12 and concluded November 12. Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Mark Martin may refer to Mark Martin (racecar driver (b 1959 American racecar driver Mark Martin (cartoonist, American cartoonist Robert Alan Labonte (born May 8, 1964 in Corpus Christi Texas) is an American Race car driver and drives the #43 Cheerios Jeffery Michael Gordon The 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series started on February 18 1996 and ended on November 10 1996 with Terry Labonte pulling off a massive Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Jeffery Michael Gordon The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 9 and ended on Sunday November 16. Jeffery Michael Gordon Mark Martin may refer to Mark Martin (racecar driver (b 1959 American racecar driver Mark Martin (cartoonist, American cartoonist Jeffery Michael Gordon Jeffery Michael Gordon J. Reynolds decided to revamp and reintroduce the million dollar award program. Several factors contributed to the change. After thirteen seasons, the Winston Million had been won only twice, and several times, no driver won even two events. R. J. Reynolds, along with NASCAR, the drivers, and fans, wanted a new format for the award, which allowed it to be won more often, and by more drivers.

The four established crown jewels on the circuit were experiencing worthy competition. In 1994, the inaugural Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was held, and for several years, actually dethroned the Daytona 500 as the richest race of the season. The Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, introduced as the Brickyard 400 in 1994, is an annual 400-mile (644 km NASCAR Sprint Cup points race The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway Indiana (an Enclave of Indianapolis) in the United States, is the home of the The events at Richmond International Raceway were also fast becoming popular fan and driver favorites. Richmond International Raceway (RIR is a 3/4-mile (12 km D-shaped asphalt race track located just outside Richmond Virginia in Henrico County. In addition, several new venues were introduced to the schedule, all of which were offering large base purses.

The new program for 1998, titled the No Bull 5 (after a Winston marketing campaign) consisted of three legs of the original Grand Slam (Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500) along with the Brickyard 400. The race at Talladega used for the program, however, switched from the spring race to the October race. As a result, that event changed sponsorship names and became referred to as the Winston 500. The AMP Energy 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama The drivers who finished in the top five of each No Bull 5 race qualified themselves to win the bonus at the next No Bull 5 race. If a qualified driver went on to win the next No Bull 5 race, he won an additional $1 million dollar bonus. In addition, five fans were chosen for each No Bull 5 race, and were paired with each of the five qualified drivers. If the driver won the bonus, the lucky fan also won $1 million.

During the No Bull 5 races, the No Bull 5 eligible drivers raced with special paint jobs. The number on the roof was painted day-glow orange, and a day-glow "$" was affixed to the passenger window. Other special decals were sometimes present. This allowed fans to quickly identify and follow the progress of the five eligible drivers.

In subsequent seasons, the races chosen for the No Bull 5 program varied. The Brickyard 400 was dropped after only one year, replaced by the Las Vegas 400. The UAW-Dodge 400 is in actuality a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held annually at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas Nevada Eventually the Daytona 500 was replaced with the Pepsi 400, and the Southern 500 was replaced by the fall event at Richmond. The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona is a 160 lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on the first Saturday night of July The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond Virginia

In its five-year span, which totalled twenty-five races, 125 eligible driver spots, and 124 eligible fans (one fan qualified twice, winning neither), the million dollar bonus was won thirteen times. Jeff Gordon won it a record four times. Including his 1997 Winston Million victory, Gordon won a total of $5 million from the bonus program.

Winston No Bull 5 winners/results

The top five finishers in each race listed qualified to race for the bonus in the next No-Bull 5 race. For the first No-Bull 5 race, the 1998 Daytona 500, the top five finishers from the 1997 DieHard 500 were used. The AMP Energy 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

See also

The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) and also known as the "Coke 600" is a in length Stock car race held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona is a 160 lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on the first Saturday night of July The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond Virginia The AMP Energy 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama Ralph Dale The UAW-Dodge 400 is in actuality a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held annually at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas Nevada The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) and also known as the "Coke 600" is a in length Stock car race held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway Mark Martin may refer to Mark Martin (racecar driver (b 1959 American racecar driver Mark Martin (cartoonist, American cartoonist The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona is a 160 lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on the first Saturday night of July The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond Virginia The AMP Energy 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama Ralph Dale The Marlboro Challenge was an All-star style event of the CART series from 1987-1992 sponsored by Marlboro.
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