The Winston Million will be gone in 1998 and be replaced by the Winston No Bull 5. RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company announced that in 1998, The Winston Million will become the “Winston No Bull 5,” and will be the richest single-season bonus program ever conducted in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. The Winston No Bull 5 offers a total of $5 million to drivers, comprising possible $1 million pay-outs at five different events in 1998.(Speedworld)
Explained by NASCAR Fans Site: Starting with this weekend’s event at Talladega, the Top-5 finishers will be eligible for a $1 Million payout at selected events. Here’s the way it’ll work: If a driver who finishes in the Top-5 this weekend at ‘Dega wins the Daytona 500, that driver will receive a $1M Bonus. If a driver who finishes in the Top-5 at the Daytona 500 should win the Coca-Cola 600, that driver will receive a $1M Bonus. If a driver who finishes in the Top-5 at the Coke 600 wins the Brickyard 400, that driver will receive a $1M Bonus. If a driver who finishes in the Top-5 at the Brickyard 400 wins the Mountain Dew Southern 500, that driver will receive a $1M Bonus. And finally, if a driver who finishes in the Top-5 at the Southern 500 wins the Winston 500 (the fall event at Talladega for 1998….the event names will swap next year), that driver will receive a $1M Bonus. Basically, what this means is that 5 races next year will carry possible Bonus Payouts of $1M each from RJR. Instead of having one driver going for the Winston Million as in the past, we’ll have 5 drivers battling for the big bucks.” The Winston Million supposedly returns in 1999, of course that depends on the tobacco lawsuits, I had this info Thurs but was sworn to secrecy by a RJ Reynolds rep, also an additional $5 million part of the awards will be announced in December at the banquet.(10-10-97)