Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Coca-Cola 600

2007-02-12T20:42:50Z

Repromancer:

{{NASCAR race infobox|
Name=Coca-Cola 600|
Logo=Coca-cola600 logo.jpg|
Img_size=120px|
Venue=[[Lowe's Motor Speedway]]|
Sponsor=[[Coca-Cola]]|
First race=[[1960]]|
Distance=600 miles (966 km)|
Laps=400|
Previous names='''World 600''' ([[1960]]-[[1984]])

'''Coca-Cola World 600''' ([[1985]])| '''Coca-Cola Racing Family 600''' ([[2002]])|
}}
The '''Coca-Cola 600''' (formerly the '''World 600''') is a six hundred mile (966 km) [[stock car]] race held annually at [[Lowe's Motor Speedway]] (formerly ''Charlotte Motor Speedway'') in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] on [[Memorial Day]] weekend. It is the longest [[NASCAR]] [[Nextel Cup]] Series race and in fact is the longest regularly-scheduled automobile race conducted on an oval track anywhere in the world, and just 21 miles shorter than major sportscar endurance 1,000 kilometer races.

The event was begun as an attempt by NASCAR to stage a Memorial Day weekend event that would rival the open-wheel [[Indianapolis 500]] in fan interest and it has succeeded to some degree, gaining larger TV ratings than the Indianapolis race from 2002-2004. It was not until 1974, however, that both races competed head-to-head on the same day. Prior to 1974, the two races were held on different days of the week, and on a few occasions, some drivers drove in both; this continued even after the 600 was moved to the same day, albeit to a smaller degree.

With the installation of lights in 1992, fans complained to circuit management to have the race start later in the day because of the notorious North Carolina heat and humidity. They wanted to follow [[NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge|The Winston]]'s popularity the previous week and switch the race to a nighttime finish to create cooler temperatures for spectators. The start time was moved back several times throughout the 1990s, and finally settled at 5:30PM in 2001, to attempt to have the race finished by 10 p.m. ET, in time for local news on Fox affiliates.

The nighttime portion of the race is lit with a system that uses parabolic reflectors so that dangerous glare that would otherwise be in the drivers' eyes is minimized. The move of the race to the early evening made it possible for drivers to participate in both the 600 and the Indianapolis 500 by flying from Indianapolis to Charlotte as soon as the Indianapolis race was over. Experts disagree over whether, for health and safety reasons, anyone should be allowed to race 1100 miles in one day, but no regulation has been passed yet by any governing body to prevent it. Beginning with the 2005 races, the issue became moot as the start time for the Indianapolis 500 was moved back one hour to in an effort to gain higher TV ratings. This resulted in only about a one hour span between the end of the Indianapolis race and the start of the Charlotte race.

Until the [[Ferko lawsuit]] settlement took effect, the race was considered the third leg of the grand slam, and was once part of the [[Winston Million]].

''See also:'' [[List of current NASCAR races]]

==Past races==
On Sunday, May 29, 2005, a new record for the most cautions of any [[NASCAR]] race was set at 22 cautions. In addition, there was one red flag. During that race [[Jimmie Johnson]] slid past [[Bobby Labonte]] in turn four on the final lap, claiming the checkered flag. In doing so he became the first driver to win 3 consecutive Coca-Cola 600 races. He would finish a distant second to [[Kasey Kahne]] the following year.

==Past winners==
* 2006: [[Kasey Kahne]]
* 2005: [[Jimmie Johnson]]
* 2004: [[Jimmie Johnson]]
* 2003: [[Jimmie Johnson]] (race shortened to 276 laps/414 miles due to rain)
* 2002: [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
* 2001: [[Jeff Burton]]
* 2000: [[Matt Kenseth]]
* 1999: [[Jeff Burton]]
* 1998: [[Jeff Gordon]]
* 1997: [[Jeff Gordon]] (race shortened to 333 laps/499.5 miles due to lateness caused by a rain delay and a 1 a.m. curfew)
* 1996: [[Dale Jarrett]]
* 1995: [[Bobby Labonte]]
* 1994: [[Jeff Gordon]]
* 1993: [[Dale Earnhardt]] (race changed to an evening/night race)
* 1992: [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1991: [[Davey Allison]]
* 1990: [[Rusty Wallace]]
* 1989: [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1988: [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1987: [[Kyle Petty]]
* 1986: [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1985: [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1984: [[Bobby Allison]]
* 1983: [[Neil Bonnett]]
* 1982: [[Neil Bonnett]]
* 1981: [[Bobby Allison]]
* 1980: [[Benny Parsons]]
* 1979: [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1978: [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1977: [[Richard Petty]]
* 1976: [[David Pearson]]
* 1975: [[Richard Petty]]
* 1974: [[David Pearson]] (race scheduled for 360 laps/540 miles due to energy crisis)
* 1973: [[Buddy Baker]]
* 1972: [[Buddy Baker]]
* 1971: [[Bobby Allison]]
* 1970: [[Donnie Allison]]
* 1969: [[LeeRoy Yarbrough]]
* 1968: [[Buddy Baker]] (race shortened to 255 laps/382.5 miles due to rain)
* 1967: [[Jim Paschal]]
* 1966: [[Marvin Panch]]
* 1965: [[Fred Lorenzen]]
* 1964: [[Jim Paschal]]
* 1963: [[Fred Lorenzen]]
* 1962: [[Nelson Stacy]]
* 1961: [[David Pearson]]
* 1960: [[Joe Lee Johnson]]

{{NASCAR next race|
Series = Nextel Cup |
Previous_race = [[NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge]] |
Next_race = [[MBNA RacePoints 400|Neighborhood Excellence 400]]|
}}

[[Category:Sports in Charlotte]]
[[Category:Charlotte, North Carolina]]
[[Category:NASCAR Nextel Cup races]]

[[ja:コカ・コーラ600]]
[[pt:Coca-Cola 600]]

Winston Million

2007-02-12T09:21:12Z

Repromancer:

The '''Winston Million''' was a now-defunct cash prize award program on the [[NASCAR]] [[Nextel Cup|Winston Cup]] series. From 1985-1997, [[R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company]], the title sponsor of NASCAR's premier circuit at the time, offered an award of [[United States Dollar|$]]1 million for any driver who won three of the four crown jewels on the schedule. From 1998-2002, the award program was reorganized into the '''Winston No-Bull 5''', which offered up to five [[United States Dollar|$]]1 million bonuses during selected races to qualified drivers. As a result of R.J. Reynolds ceasing title sponsorship of NASCAR after 2003, and in the wake of the [[Ferko lawsuit]], the program was discontinued.

==Crown Jewels==
The NASCAR Winston Cup (now the [[Nextel Cup]]) had long since established the four crown jewels of the schedule. Such races were as follows:
*[[Daytona 500]] (known as the ''richest'' race on the circuit, held at [[Daytona International Speedway]])
*[[Aaron's 499|Winston 500]] (known as the ''fastest'' race on the circuit, held at [[Talladega Superspeedway]])
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] (known as the ''longest'' race on the circuit, held at [[Lowe's Motor Speedway|Charlotte Motor Speedway]])
*[[Mountain Dew Southern 500|Southern 500]] (known as the ''oldest'' superspeedway race on the circuit, held at [[Darlington Raceway]])

No driver had, or since then has, won all four events in the same season. Twice prior to 1985, a driver won three out of the four: [[Lee Roy Yarbrough]] (1969) and [[David Pearson]] (1976). Starting in 1985, R.J. Reynolds, and brand sponsor [[Winston (cigarette)|Winston]], began offering a [[United States Dollar|$]]1 million bonus for any driver to win three out of the four race in the same season. 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.

==Initial success==
In the program's first year, [[Bill Elliott]] captured the million dollar bonus. The victory thrust him into notoriety. He became known as "Million Dollar Bill," and appeared on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''. 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.

==Trivia==
*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"''
*In 1989, Darrell Waltrip became the first driver since Elliott in 1985 to have a chance at the million. 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. 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.
*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 Woods|"Tiger Slam"]].
*From 1994-1996, the program was advertised as the "Winston Select Million," as R.J. Reynolds chose to promote their 'Select' brand in NASCAR.
*From 1998-2004, even after the entire program was discontinued, no driver again ever managed to win three of the four original crown jewels in the same season. After 2004, the Southern 500 was discontinued, and the four crown jewels are no longer intact.

==Winston Million race winners/results (1985-1997)==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Season
! [[Daytona 500|Daytona]]
! [[Aaron's 499|Talladega]]
! [[Coca-Cola 600|Charlotte]]
! [[Mountain Dew Southern 500|Darlington]]
! Notes
|-
| [[1985 in NASCAR|1985]] || [[Bill Elliott]] || [[Bill Elliott]] || [[Darrell Waltrip]] || [[Bill Elliott]] || Elliott won Winston Million
|-
| [[1986 in NASCAR|1986]] || [[Geoff Bodine]] || [[Bobby Allison]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || [[Tim Richmond]] ||  
|-
| [[1987 in NASCAR|1987]] || [[Bill Elliott]] || [[Davey Allison]] || [[Kyle Petty]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] ||  
|-
| [[1988 in NASCAR|1988]] || [[Bobby Allison]] || [[Phil Parsons]] || [[Darrell Waltrip]] || [[Bill Elliott]] ||  
|-
| [[1989 in NASCAR|1989]] || [[Darrell Waltrip]] || [[Davey Allison]] || [[Darrell Waltrip]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || Waltrip won $100,000 bonus
|-
| [[1990 in NASCAR|1990]] || [[Derrike Cope]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || [[Rusty Wallace]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || Earnhardt won $100,000 bonus
|-
| [[1991 in NASCAR|1991]] || [[Ernie Irvan]] || [[Harry Gant]] || [[Davey Allison]] || [[Harry Gant]] || Gant won $100,000 bonus
|-
| [[1992 in NASCAR|1992]] || [[Davey Allison]] || [[Davey Allison]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || [[Darrell Waltrip]] || Allison won $100,000 bonus
|-
| [[1993 in NASCAR|1993]] || [[Dale Jarrett]] || [[Ernie Irvan]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]] ||  
|-
| [[1994 in NASCAR|1994]] || [[Sterling Marlin]] || [[Dale Earnhardt]] || [[Jeff Gordon]] || [[Bill Elliott]] ||  
|-
| [[1995 in NASCAR|1995]] || [[Sterling Marlin]] || [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]] || [[Bobby Labonte]] || [[Jeff Gordon]] ||  
|-
| [[1996 in NASCAR|1996]] || [[Dale Jarrett]] || [[Sterling Marlin]] || [[Dale Jarrett]] || [[Jeff Gordon]] || Jarrett won $100,000 bonus
|-
| [[1997 in NASCAR|1997]] || [[Jeff Gordon]] || [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|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.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 inauguaral [[Allstate 400 at the Brickyard|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 events at [[Richmond International Raceway]] were also fast becoming popular fan and driver favorites. 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 the four previous crown jewels (Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, Darlington) along with the Brickyard 400. The race at Talladega used for the program, however, switched to the fall race, which as a result, became known as the [[UAW Ford 500|Winston 500]]. The drivers who finished in the top five of each No Bull 5 race qualified for 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 [[UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400|Las Vegas 400]]. Eventually the Daytona 500 was replaced with the [[Pepsi 400]], and the Southern 500 was replaced by the fall event at [[Chevy Rock and Roll 400|Richmond]].

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 [[UAW Ford 500|DieHard 500]] were used.

'''1998'''
*[[Daytona 500]] - no winner
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] - no winner
*[[Allstate 400 at the Brickyard|Brickyard 400]] - [[Jeff Gordon]]
*[[Mountain Dew Southern 500|Pepsi Southern 500]] - [[Jeff Gordon]]
*[[UAW Ford 500|Winston 500]] - [[Dale Jarrett]]

'''1999'''
*[[Daytona 500]] - [[Jeff Gordon]]
*[[UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400|Las Vegas 400]] - no winner
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] - [[Jeff Burton]]
*[[Mountain Dew Southern 500|Pepsi Southern 500]] - [[Jeff Burton]]
*[[UAW Ford 500|Winston 500]] - no winner

'''2000'''
*[[Daytona 500]] - [[Dale Jarrett]]
*[[UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400|CarsDirect.com 400]] - [[Jeff Burton]]
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] - no winner
*[[Chevy Rock and Roll 400|Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400]] - no winner
*[[UAW Ford 500|Winston 500]] - [[Dale Earnhardt]]

'''2001'''
*[[UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400]] - [[Jeff Gordon]]
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] - no winner
*[[Pepsi 400]] - no winner
*[[Chevy Rock and Roll 400|Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400]] - no winner
*[[UAW Ford 500|EA Sports 500]] - [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]

'''2002'''
*[[UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400]] - no winner
*[[Coca-Cola 600]] - [[Mark Martin (NASCAR)|Mark Martin]]
*[[Pepsi 400]] - no winner
*[[Chevy Rock and Roll 400|Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400]] - no winner
*[[UAW Ford 500|EA Sports 500]] - [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]

[[Category:NASCAR]]

YellaWood 500

2007-02-12T09:20:52Z

Repromancer:

{{NASCAR race infobox|
Name=UAW Ford 500|
Logo=UAW Ford 500.jpg|
Img_size=219px|
Venue=[[Talladega Superspeedway]]|
Sponsor=[[UAW]] and [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]|
First race=[[1969]]|
Distance=500.08 miles (804.8 km)|
Laps=188|
Previous names='''Talladega 500''' ([[1969]]-[[1987]])

'''Talladega DieHard 500''' ([[1988]]-[[1989]])

'''DieHard 500''' ([[1990]]-[[1997]])

'''Winston 500''' ([[1998]]-[[2000]])

'''EA Sports 500''' ([[2001]]-[[2004]])|
}}

The '''UAW Ford 500''' is a [[NASCAR]] [[Nextel Cup]] [[stock car racing|stock car race]] held at [[Talladega Superspeedway]] in [[Talladega, Alabama|Talladega]], [[Alabama]]. The UAW Ford 500 is also one of four races currently run with [[restrictor plate]]s, the others being the [[Aaron's 499]], the [[Pepsi 400]], and the [[Daytona 500]]. Through [[1996]], the race was normally held in early August or late July. In [[1997]], it was moved, after overwhelming fans' requests, to early October due to the uncomfortably hot [[summer]] [[temperatures]], and sometimes unpredictible summertime [[thunderstorms]] in the [[Alabama]] area.

In 1998, the name of the race was swapped with that of the [[Aaron's 499|spring race]]. The fall race became known as the Winston 500 for a few years in order to promote the [[Winston No Bull 5]] program.

==Past winners==
* 2006 [[Brian Vickers]] (yellow flag at final lap)
* 2005 [[Dale Jarrett]] (505.40 miles / 190 laps due to [[green-white-checker finish]])
* 2004 [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
* 2003 [[Michael Waltrip]]
* 2002 [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
* 2001 [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]
* 2000 [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1999 [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1998 [[Dale Jarrett]]
* 1997 [[Terry Labonte]]
* 1996 [[Jeff Gordon]] (343.14 miles / 129 laps due to darkness - late start caused by rain + in-race red flags)
* 1995 [[Sterling Marlin]]
* 1994 [[Jimmy Spencer]]
* 1993 [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1992 [[Ernie Irvan]]
* 1991 [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1990 [[Dale Earnhardt]]
* 1989 Terry Labonte
* 1988 [[Ken Schrader]]
* 1987 [[Bill Elliott]]
* 1986 [[Bobby Hillin, Jr.]]
* 1985 [[Cale Yarborough]]
* 1984 Dale Earnhardt
* 1983 Dale Earnhardt
* 1982 [[Darrell Waltrip]]
* 1981 [[Ron Bouchard]]
* 1980 [[Neil Bonnett]]
* 1979 Darrell Waltrip
* 1978 [[Lennie Pond]]
* 1977 [[Donnie Allison]]
* 1976 [[Dave Marcis]]
* 1975 [[Buddy Baker]]
* 1974 [[Richard Petty]]
* 1973 [[Dick Brooks]]
* 1972 [[James Hylton]]
* 1971 [[Bobby Allison]]
* 1970 [[Pete Hamilton]]
* 1969 [[Richard Brickhouse]]

{{NASCAR next race|
Series = Nextel Cup |
Previous_race = [[Banquet 400]] |
Next_race = [[Bank of America 500]] |
}}

[[Category:NASCAR Nextel Cup races]]

[[pt:UAW Ford 500]]

{{motorsport-stub}}