News rules for the Winston UPDATE: Drivers this year will make a four-tire change instead of a two-tire change on their pit stop at the start of qualifying for The Winston all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 19. Teams were allowed to pit anytime during a three-lap qualifying run until last year, when the stop was moved to the beginning of the run. This year, teams will make a four-tire change, then complete a three-lap run with total time being used to determine starting order for the event. The Winston will again be run in segments of 30, 30 and 10 laps, with only green-flag laps counting. After the first segment, as few as the top six and as many as the top 12 positions will be inverted using a process that will be announced later. Drivers not qualified for The Winston can earn a spot in the event by winning the 30-lap Winston Open or the 16-lap No Bull Sprint that precede the main event on May 19. There will be no 25-lap qualifying races for the Open or the Sprint this year – a two-lap qualifying run will be used instead. If there are no more first-time winners between now and May 19, John Andretti and Joe Nemechek will be in The Winston. If there is a first-time winner, however, both Andretti and Nemechek would be knocked out(That’s Racin’)(3-24-2001) UPDATE: it happened – Elliott Sadler’s victory earned him a spot in The Winston and knocked John Andretti and Joe Nemechek out of the field(unless they can win by Richmond or Win the WInston Open of No Bull Sprint). see my 2001 The Winston page for drivers eligible and the rules(3-26-2001)
