What was the NASCAR Winston Cup Series era?
The NASCAR Winston Cup Series era was the period of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) from 1971-2003. In 1971, NASCAR leased its naming rights to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company who named the series after its premier brand "Winston". The series was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from that point forward.
What is the history of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series?
In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003). A similar deal was made with Nextel in 2003, and it became the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (2004–2007).
What is the NASCAR Cup Series?
The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division.
Who sponsors the Winston Cup Series?
Between 1971 and 2003, NASCAR's premier series was sponsored by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company cigarette brand Winston, dubbing it the Winston Cup Series. The series was originally called the Winston Cup Grand National Series before "Grand National" was dropped in 1986.
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Who sponsored NASCAR after Winston?
When Nextel was announced to replace Winston in 2003, the deal came together quickly and was announced in June. Two years ago, the Xfinity deal to replace Nationwide as the sponsor of NASCAR's top national developmental series was announced in September.
Why did Winston stop sponsoring NASCAR?
However, in 2003, hit with an onslaught of lawsuits and anti-tobacco legislation, RJR came to the realization they could no longer continue as NASCAR's title sponsor, and the three-decade relationship that created the Winston Cup Series had to come to an end.
When did NASCAR stop Winston Cup?
2003Over the next 33 years, the Winston sponsorship ushered in what is considered to be the “modern era” of NASCAR. The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company decided to end its sponsorship in 2003.
What are the 3 series of NASCAR?
Most fans know of NASCAR's three main circuits, the Monster Energy Cup Series, the XFINITY Series, and the Camping World Truck Series.
Do NASCAR drivers keep prize money?
NASCAR drivers do not generally get to keep all of the prize money from races. The money is split between them and the team, with the mechanics and various other staff that need to be paid. This means the drivers only earn a percentage of the winnings, with the percentages varying by team.
What was NASCAR called before Winston Cup?
the Grand National SeriesNASCAR Cup Series From 1950-1970 the series was known as the Grand National Series before becoming the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1971-2003.
How much horsepower do Nascars have?
The engines in today's NASCAR race cars produce upward of 750 horsepower, and they do it without turbochargers, superchargers or particularly exotic components. How do they make all that power? Here are some of the factors: The engine is large -- 358 cubic inches (5.87 L).
When did Sprint Cup series end?
The Series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Series, running 8 races, Red Byron was the first Cup champion. The Series has had several sponsor names Winston Cup Series (1971-2003), Nextel Cup series (2004-2007), Sprint Cup Series (2008-2016) and the Monster Energy Series (2017-2019)).
What engines do Nascars use?
The cars are currently powered by EFI V8 engines, since 2012, after 62 years using carburetion as engine fuel feed with compacted graphite iron blocks and pushrod valvetrains actuating two-valves per cylinder, and are limited to a 358 cubic inch (5.9-liter) displacement.
Are F1 cars faster than NASCAR?
Comparatively, the highest speed recorded in NASCAR is 212mph (341.181km/h), and these vehicles take 1 second longer to reach 62 mph than F1 cars do. It takes 9 seconds for a NASCAR racer to reach 160mph. These statistics definitively prove that Formula 1 racing cars are the faster of the two racing machines.
How much does a NASCAR driver make per race?
Through the purse split, however, the winner can still take home $47,500 a race, on average, while the loser can make close to $8,500.
What is the biggest NASCAR series?
The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).
What happened to the Winston Cup?
Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003). A similar deal was made with Nextel in 2003, and it became the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (2004–2007). Sprint acquired Nextel in 2005, and in 2008 the series was renamed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (2008–2016).
Is Monster Energy still sponsoring NASCAR?
We knew it was coming to an end: Monster Energy, after three years, is no longer NASCAR's title sponsor.
Does Sprint still sponsor NASCAR?
We are proud of our association with NASCAR's top series but have made the decision not to extend our sponsorship beyond the next two years. As we look to the future, Sprint is focused on investing in maintaining a competitive edge and providing consumers with the best value in wireless.
Who is the oldest NASCAR driver this year?
Norm Benning (January 16, 1952 – Present) What is this? Norm Benning has been competing in NASCAR since 1989 and is the oldest driver who is currently still active in the sport as of 2022.
What is NASCAR Cup?
Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota supplied bodies. The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division.
When did the Winston Cup start?
The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003).
How many stages are there in NASCAR?
In 2017, stage racing was introduced. Races were broken up into three stages, four in the case of the NASCAR Cup Series' longest race, the Coca-Cola 600. A stage consists of normal green flag racing followed by a stoppage on a designated lap signified by the waving of a green and white checkered flag, then a yellow flag. The top-10 finishers in each of the first two stages are awarded bonus championship points, 10 points to the winner, 9 points for the 2nd place car, down to 1 point for the 10th place car. The points earned are added to a driver/owner's regular season points total, while the winner of the stage receives an additional point that is added to their point total, after the reset, if they get into the NASCAR playoffs. The stage lengths vary by track, but the first two stages usually combine to equal about half of the race. The final stage (which still pays out championship points to all drivers) usually equals the other half. Also, a regular season points championship is awarded to the driver who scored the most points in the first 26 races (regular season). This championship does not award any bonus points to the winning driver. Otherwise, the points system and playoff format remained the same.
What is the name of the Bill France Cup?
The MENCS trophy design was retained under the new series name, though it was renamed the Bill France Cup.
What is the owner's championship?
Owners' Championship. The Cup Series Owner's Championship operates in the same manner as the Driver's Championship, except that points are awarded to each individual car. If an owner enters more than one car, each car is viewed and scored as a separate entity.
How fast can a Cup Series car go?
Cup Series cars are unique in automobile racing. The engines are powerful enough to reach speeds of over 200 mph (320 km/h), but their weight coupled with a relatively simple aerodynamic package (based on the body styles of cars currently available for retail sale in the United States) make for poor handling.
When was the first NASCAR race?
The first NASCAR "Strictly Stock" race was held at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949. Jim Roper was declared the winner of that race after Glenn Dunaway was disqualified for having altered the rear springs on his car; the first series champion was Red Byron. The division was renamed "Grand National" for the 1950 season, reflecting NASCAR's intent to make the sport more professional and prestigious. It retained this name until 1971. The 1949 Strictly Stock season is regarded in NASCAR's record books as the first season of GN/Cup history. Martinsville Speedway is the only track on the 1949 schedule that remains on the current schedule.
Who was the last NASCAR Winston Cup Champion?
Matt Kenseth rolled up 5,022 points that year to become the last NASCAR Winston Cup Champion ever. It was the end of an era as NASCAR made a major move to keep up with the changing social climate.
When did Bobby Labonte win the Winston Cup?
It was a poignant and momentous year for NASCAR fans. Bobby Labonte roared home in the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16, 2003 to win NASCAR's last-ever Winston Cup race.
Did NASCAR divorce RJ Reynolds?
A divorce between NASCAR and RJ Reynolds became inevitable, although some reports have the tobacco company pulling the plug first. After all, the company was putting out massive dollars in exchange for publicity and advertising that was becoming more limited by the year, if not by the hour.
Is Winston a great NASCAR driver?
There's no doubt that Winston was great for NASCAR, and RJ Reynolds certainly has its place in history. But I'm excited for the opportunities that NEXTEL represents as we race forward through the 21st century.
Does the 2004 nascar have a logo?
NASCAR can freely advertise their top series to teens and even children. Toys, video games, and Hot Wheels cars bear the correct 2004 NASCAR/NEXTEL Cup logo rather than the generic solo NASCAR logo that was in place for a short hiatus between the last Winston Cup race and the official onboarding of NEXTEL.
Did NASCAR have a blitz?
If NASCAR was an advertising machine before — at least as much as federal legislation would allow after tobacco became villainized — an all-out blitz occurred after the marketing handcuffs came off. Attendance and TV ratings had flattened out a bit by 2003, but NASCAR has pushed hard since to reach a younger demographic and it's thriving.
Did RJ Reynolds sponsor NASCAR?
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company befriended NASCAR back in 1971. They teamed up together in an almost too-good-to-be-true sponsorship targeting Southern fans who loved both their tobacco and their fast cars. RJ Reynolds paid millions of dollars in post-season awards in the ensuing years and gave out millions more with the Winston Million — yes, named after the cigarette brand — and its No-Bull programs. It paid yet more millions in sponsorship of The Winston All-Star race and individual race teams. Winston and NASCAR were good for each other.
Who drove the final lap of the Winston Cup?
Spencer was on-hand at the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Winston Cup’s final day and the ceremonial “Victory Lap” after the race. 1971 Winston Cup champion Richard “The King” Petty drove a 1971 Plymouth while Kenseth’s team owner, Jack Roush, followed in a 2003 Ford Taurus the final Winston Cup lap ever. Both cars are on display today at the museum.
How many Winston Cup races were there in 2003?
The Beginning of the End. Over the course of nine months, the 2003 Winston Cup series made stops in 23 cities across the United States for 36 races. The series saw 17 different drivers win races, including as many as eight victories by one driver, Ryan Newman.
How many points did Kenseth win in 2003?
He participated in all 36 races during the 2003 season and yet did not start on the pole during a single race. Kenseth won the Winston Cup with 5022 points, in part because of his consistency at the front of the pack, despite leading only 354 laps during the course of the season.
Where was the 2003 Winston Cup race?
In late February 2003, the Winston Cup made its first stop of the season in North Carolina at the Rockingham Speedway for the Subway 400. Drivers made 393 laps around the 1.017-mile track and raced under caution for just 46 laps.
Who won the 2003 Winston Cup?
Tony Stewart claimed victory lane in the number 20 Home Depot Chevrolet after leading 149 of the race’s 334 laps. Stewart earned $312,478 with the win and gained 185 Winston Cup points. As the 2003 Winston Cup season wound down, drivers made one last stop in Rockingham for the Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn 400, the season’s next-to-last race.
How fast was the Coca Cola 600 in 2003?
Drivers convened Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2003, for the Coca-Cola 600. 165,000 fans took the race, which saw average race speeds of 126 mph. Ryan Newman, driving the number 12 Alltel Dodge, started the race on the pole with a trial speed ...
Overview
History
In 1949, NASCAR introduced the Strictly Stock division, after sanctioning Modified and Roadster division races in 1948. Eight races were run on seven dirt ovals and on the Daytona Beach beach/street course.
The first NASCAR "Strictly Stock" race was held at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949. Jim Roper was declared the winner of that race after Glenn Dunaway was …
Drivers' Championship
The NASCAR Cup Series Drivers' Championship is awarded by the Chairman of NASCAR to the most successful Cup Series driver over a season, as determined by a points system based on race results and victories. First awarded in 1949 to Red Byron, 32 different drivers have won the Championship. The first driver to win multiple Championships was Herb Thomas in 1951 and 1953, while the record for the most Championships, seven, is shared by Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie …
Owners' Championship
The Cup Series Owner's Championship operates in the same manner as the Driver's Championship, except that points are awarded to each individual car. If an owner enters more than one car, each car is viewed and scored as a separate entity. The points in the Owners Championship is identical to the Drivers' list, with one minor exception: Drivers who are not eligible to earn points toward the Drivers' title can still earn points toward the Owners' Championship. A…
Manufacturers' Championship
A Manufacturer's Championship is awarded each year, although the Driver's Championship is considered more prestigious. In the past, manufacturer's championships were prestigious because of the number of manufacturers involved, and the manufacturer's championship was a major marketing tool. In the Xfinity Series, the championship is known as the Bill France Performance Cup.
Cup cars
Cup Series cars (often called "Cup cars") adhere to a front engine rear-wheel-drive design. A roll cage serves as a space frame chassis and is covered by a 24-gauge sheet metal body. They have a closed cockpit, fenders, a rear spoiler, and an aerodynamic splitter. Fielding a car for one season usually costs $10–20 million. Each team may build its own cars and engines (per NASCAR's specifications) …
Cup tracks
Presently, the NASCAR Cup Series is held mainly in eastern states, with only six tracks located west of the Mississippi River. Cup Series races are not conducted on standardized tracks; the 2017 season included 21 oval tracks and 2 road courses. The lap length of the oval tracks vary from .526 miles (0.847 km) at Martinsville Speedway to 2.66 miles (4.28 km) at Talladega Superspeedway. Th…
See also
• Can-Am Duel
• List of all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners
• List of NASCAR Cup Series champions
• List of NASCAR drivers