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WINSTON OPEN SERVES AS SUCCESSFUL TEST SESSION
FOR HARRAH'S TEAM
After being unable to test at Lowe's Motor Speedway earlier in the
month, the Winston Open proved to be a valuable, if unorthodox, test
session for the No. 14 Foyt/Harrah's Racing team.
The Winston Open is a transfer race for The Winston, NASCAR Winston
Cup's All-Star event which pays $1 million to the winner. Larry Foyt
and the Harrah's team made remarkable gains during the two practice
sessions, qualifying and the race.
"We picked up six tenths of a second from the second practice
session to qualifying," said Foyt, driver of the No. 14
Foyt/Harrah's Racing Dodge. "That may not sound like much, but when
you're reaching speeds of 190 mph, it's a major improvement.
"We knew coming into this race that we would be behind from the
start since we didn't get a chance to test. To improve like we did
is a testament to how hard this team is fighting to improve."
Due to gear box problems, Foyt finished 17th in The Winston Open.
With several cautions during the 20 lap race, that problem proved
costly.
"I didn't have anything for them during the restarts," said Foyt.
"I'd get into third gear and the car seemed like it wanted to stop.
Once I got into fourth gear it was fine.
"It was pretty wild out there. Everyone was fighting
hard for a chance to win the million dollars. The good news is that
we learned a lot and stayed out of the accidents because we're going
to use this car here next week for the 600."
Jeff Burton won The Winston Open and transferred into The Winston,
which was won by Jimmie Johnson.
Notes & Quotes: All-Star Weekend
What is The Winston?
- An all-star race featuring the Winston Cup Series' top drivers
racing for a $1 million dollar prize. The Winston is the richest
race per mile on the NASCAR Winston Cup calendar.
Track Configuration:
- Distance: 1.5-mile tri-oval
- Banking: 24E (turns), 5E (frontstretch)
Track Records:
- Qualifying: 186.465 mph (28.96 seconds) set by Jimmie Johnson on 5/26/02
Eligibility and Format for The Winston Open
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.
Format: "Survival of the Fastest" format will apply to The
Winston Open. Only one winner from the Winston Open will advance to
The Winston. 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. The winner of the final segment advances to The
Winston.
Eligibility and Format for The Winston
Eligibility:
- First criteria: Drivers and car owners who have won races in the current
and preceding year. If a driver leaves a team with which he has won
a race, he remains eligible and the car owner's new driver also is
eligible (through the last race before The Winston)
- Second criteria: Drivers who are past Winston Cup champions
- Third criteria: Drivers who have won The Winston in the last 5
years(1998- 2002)
- Fourth criteria: The winning driver of the Winston Open
Fifth criteria: Drivers who have won in previous years, not eligible
by the above (not owners, just drivers)
Format: The Winston 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.
Larry Foyt on Lowe's Motor Speedway:
"Lowe's is a great track for a variety of reasons. It's fast and fun
to drive, plus it's close to our race shop so our team gets a chance
to rest and perform in front of their friends and family.
"We're really excited about competing in The Winston Open. Hopefully
we can make our way to the front and sneak into the big show. It
should be a lot of fun under the lights!" |
